INTERNATIONAL
April 27th: U.S. Women vs. Finland at Spartan Stadium (San Jose, Calif.)  Live on ESPN2.

WUSA

WUSA Comes To Canada:  The WUSA and Canada's WTSN network came to terms that would see several games televised in Canada.  For the complete article from the WUSA website click here.

San Jose CyberRays:  acquired Brazilian striker Pretinha and veteran Michelle French. Pretinha will fill the void left when Julie Murray retired.  Both players were with the Washington Freedom last season.

Atlanta Beat: Sun Wen will return to Atlanta Beat in 2002 and national teammate Liping Wang will join her.  Wen's return was in question because of an injury plegued 2001 season, as well as her retirement from international competition.  Wang a midfield and defender will take up the last international spot on the team.
                        Waived Canadian Amy Walsh.

Carolina Courage: Signed German forward Birgit Prinz.  Prinz was Germany's Player of the Year in 2001 and is  widely considered one of the most lethal strikers in women's soccer.
                                Carla Overbeck was to under go knee surgery in the middle of January at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  The surgery will  repair damage to articular cartilage.

Boston Breakers:  Signed Norwegian national team forward Ragnhild Gulbrandsen.  This means she will join Breakers leading scorer Dagny Mellgren and Norwegian national team mate.

Retired Players
Ann Kristin Aarones and Gro Espeseth, who retired from playing with the New York Power last year.
Julie Murray retires from Bay Area after winning the Founders Cup and being named MVP.
Traci Arkenberg  retired after being picked up in the waiver draft.

Waiver Draft News January 9, 2002

The Spirit made the first selection in the waiver draft and selected defender Kim Calkins, who  last season played with the Boston Breakers. Other selections inclueded Philadelphia Charge selecting Traci Arkenberg  formerly of the San Diego Spirit,  who decided to retire;  Maite Zabala  formerly of the Atlanta Beat;  New York Power selected Krista Davey formerly of the Washington Freedom;

The Following players were not selected in the draft and are now unrestrited players.
Atlanta: Laurie Black, Kerry Gragg, Charry Korgel-Morris and Mary Pitera.
Boston: Sherice Bartling, Meotis Erikson, Elie Foster, Becky Hogan, Florence Omagbemi, Rebecca Hornbacher,
                            Jen Tissue.
Carolina: Sarah Yohe, Sarah Dacey, Kristin Bengtsson, Beth Sheppard, Allison Snooks and Julie Marslender.
New York:  Raven McDonald, Jessica Reifer, Linda Strazzulla, Nicole Williams and Beth Zotter.
Philadelphia:  Jennifer Soileau, Laurie Pells, Vanessa Rubio and Courtney Saunders.
San Diego:  Missy Wycinsky, Karissa Hampton and Holly Broome.
San Jose:  Megan Jeidy, Gina Oceguera-Eagleson and Linda Kurtyka.
Washington: Keri Sarver, Louise Lieberman, Dawn Greathouse, Amy Gray and Kacy Beitel.

Draft News February 11, 2002
The first selection of the 2002 WUSA Draft was made by the Carolina Courage who choose Santa Clara defender Danielle Slaton.  Other picks can be seen below.

First Round
1. Carolina Courage - Danielle Slaton, Defender, Santa Clara
2. Washington Freedom - Abby Wambach, Forward, Florida
3. Boston Breakers - Jena Kluegel, Midfielder, North Carolina
4. San Diego Spirit - Lori Lindsey, Midfielder, Virginia
5. Philadelphia Charge - Stacy Tullock, Midfielder, Arizona State
6. New York Power- Minna Mustonen, Forward, Franklin Pierce College/Boston Renegades
7. Atlanta Beat - Anna Kraus, Defender, Santa Clara
8. San Jose CyberRays - Danielle Borgman, Defender, North Carolina

Second Round
9. Carolina Courage - Katie Barnes, Forward, West Virginia
10. Washington Freedom - Casey Zimny, Defender, Connecticut
11. Boston Breakers - Monica Gonzalez, Defender, Notre Dame
12. San Diego Spirit - Amy Sauer, Defender, Stanford
13. Philadelphia Charge - Mary-Frances Monroe, Forward, UCLA
14. New York Power - Bonnie Young, Defender, Penn State
15. New York Power (in trade with Atlanta) - Meredith Flaherty, Goalkeeper, Florida
16. Philadelphia Charge (in trade with San Jose) - Andrea Alfiler, Midfielder, Azuza Pacific

Third Round
17. Carolina Courage - Emily Oleksiuk, Goalkeeper, Penn State
18. Washington Freedom - Stephanie Rigamat, Forward, UCLA
19. Boston Breakers - Alexa Borisjuk, Midfielder, Connecticut
20. Carolina Courage (from previous trade with San Diego) - Meghan Anderson, Midfielder, Nebraska
21. Philadelphia Charge - Katie Carson, Goalkeeper, Clemson
22. New York Power - Sarah Kate Noftsinger, Midfielder, Wake Forest
23. Atlanta Beat - Nicky Thrasher, Forward, Texas A&M
24. San Jose CyberRays - Alice Gleason, Goalkeeper, UNLV

Fourth Round
25. San Diego Spirit - Amy Kofoed, Forward, Utah
26. Washington Freedom - Justine Fisher, Midfielder, US Naval Academy
27. Boston Breakers - Kristin Slater, Goalkeeper, Arizona State
28. San Diego Spirit - Shelley Finger, Goalkeeper, North Carolina
29. Philadelphia Charge - Karyn Hall, Defender, Florida
30. New York Power - Erin Gilhart, Defender, Florida
31. Atlanta Beat - Kristin DePlatchett, Goalkeeper, North Carolina
32. San Jose CyberRays - Linnea Quinones, Goalkeeper, San Diego State