(July 23, 2002)

CyberRays to welcome 150,000th fan Saturday

SAN JOSE CA (July 23, 2002) The San Jose CyberRays will welcome their 150,000th fan to Spartan Stadium at Saturday's 3 p.m. match against the New York Power. It's a special achievement for the team, which is in the thick of the WUSA playoff race with only two home games left on the 2002 schedule.

The CyberRays have drawn 149,698 fans to Spartan through their one-plus seasons of existence, and a lucky fan will be selected before Saturday's kickoff to represent the 150,000th. The fan will receive an autographed CyberRays jersey, an upgraded seat and be introduced to the crowd during pre-game ceremonies.

Attendance for Sunday's match against the Washington Freedom was 8,384, the second-largest home crowd of the season and fourth largest in CyberRays history at Spartan. The crowd came despite the absence of the WUSA's top two marquee players, Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain, who had been called up to the U.S. Women's National Team for its game against arch-rival Norway.

The CyberRays have drawn 65,020 fans so far this season at home, an average of 7,224 per game, which is third highest in the WUSA behind the Boston Breakers (8,959) and Washington Freedom (7,728).

[Source: Jody Meacham, Director of Public Relations, San Jose CyberRays, 408 / 261-7724 office, 408 / 690-9362 cell, jmeacham@sjcyberrays.com]