2002 WUSA All-Star Game

The 2002 WUSA All-Star Game (known as the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game presented by Hyundai for sponsorship reasons) was the first Women's United Soccer Association All-Star Game, a soccer match involving all-stars from Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA). Two teams comprised the best players from all eight league franchises met at PGE Park, Portland, Oregon, on September 21, 2002. The WUSA All-Stars South won the game 6–1, with goals from Abby Wambach (2), Hege Riise, Kylie Bivens, Charmaine Hooper and Shannon MacMillan, while Marinette Pichon scored for the WUSA All-Stars North. WUSA All-Stars South forward Abby Wambach was named as the game's Most Valuable Player. Kari Seitz refereed the game, which was attended by 14,208 spectators and broadcast live on PAX TV.

Format
For the inaugural staging of the All-star match, the eight WUSA franchises were divided geographically into a WUSA North selection (made up of players from Boston Breakers, New York Power, Philadelphia Charge and San Jose CyberRays) and a WUSA South selection (with players from Atlanta Beat, Carolina Courage, San Diego Spirit and Washington Freedom).

Starting line-ups for the two teams were announced on September 4, 2002 and reserve players on September 9, 2002. The selection formula for the starting line-ups had four elements, each with a 25% weighting: a fan vote, a WUSA player vote, an owner/GM vote and a journalist/media vote. The additional five reserve players were selected directly by the team coaches and WUSA Commissioner Tony DiCicco.

DiCicco had also selected the team coaches, based on the performance of their clubs in the 2002 WUSA regular season. Marcia McDermott was named South head coach, with Jim Gabarra as her assistant, while Mark Krikorian took charge of the North team, assisted by Ian Sawyers. Gabarra replaced Tom Stone, who was initially picked as McDermott's assistant.

The exhibition was played as two 40-minute halves, with free substitution.

An informal WUSA All-Star game had taken place at the 2002 WUSA draft in February 2002 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Also played with North/South select teams, the WUSA South won 4–3 on that occasion. Homare Sawa, Charmaine Hooper, Cindy Parlow and Shannon MacMillan scored for WUSA South, while Tiffeny Milbrett, Kristy Whelchel and Mandy Clemens replied for WUSA North. The match was marred by a serious injury to Sara Whalen.

Venue


Portland (sometimes called "Soccer City") was chosen as the venue in a bid to capitalise on the popularity of the sport in the area. It was hoped this would lead to a boost in WUSA's television ratings in the local market and, although there were no immediate plans for a WUSA expansion team in Portland, it was under consideration for the future.

Portland Pilots college soccer alumni Tiffeny Milbrett and Shannon MacMillan were named captains of the respective teams. Their former college coach Clive Charles performed the pre-match coin toss. Charles had terminal prostate cancer and had collected a WUSA lifetime achievement award at an All-Star Gala held two days earlier at the Multnomah Athletic Club.

Organizers were happy with the attendance of 14,208. WUSA's official website reported the figure as a record attendance since PGE Park's 2000–01 renovations, although The Oregonian newspaper reported it as the third largest behind two baseball games.

Summary
Kristine Lilly withdrew from the match at late notice when she was bereaved by the death of her grandmother, being replaced in the WUSA North starting line-up by Kate Sobrero. Birgit Prinz was voted into the WUSA South selection but was unable to take part as she was on loan to her German club FFC Frankfurt, who were competing in the 2002–03 UEFA Women's Cup qualifying round in Yugoslavia. Shannon MacMillan was elevated from the reserve to starting roster to replace her.

In the tradition of North American All-star games, the match was played at a sedate pace. Referee Kari Seitz called only three fouls and showed no yellow or red cards. The Associated Press report described play as "a bit sloppy", noting that the players were almost one month into their off-season, and that the artificial turf surface at PGE Park was somewhat unsuitable.

On 12 minutes Marinette Pichon scored with WUSA North's first chance, turning and hitting a powerful 15-yard shot into the goal. Nine minutes later Hege Riise equalized from Mia Hamm's pass, and thereafter the WUSA South team took control of the match. Abby Wambach shot past goalkeeper Melissa Moore to score her first goal on 24 minutes. One minute before half-time Kylie Bivens headed in Hamm's cross to give WUSA South a two-goal advantage at the interval.

Wambach chipped in her second goal on the hour mark, then turned provider for Charmaine Hooper who shot past LaKeysia Beene on 66 minutes. In the final minute Shannon McMillan's shot went in off the post to make the final score 6–1 to WUSA South. 2002 WUSA Rookie of the Year Wambach's two goals and one assist saw her named the MVP.