The San Diego Spirit were a professional soccer team based in San Diego, California, that competed in the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA). The team played its home games at Torero Stadium on the campus of the University of San Diego. The Spirit began play in 2001. The league announced on September 15, 2003, it was suspending operations.
The founding members of the Spirit were Julie Foudy, Shannon MacMillan and Joy Fawcett. The team reached the playoffs in the 2003 season, losing to the Atlanta Beat in the semifinals. Other notable members of the Spirit included Scotland's Julie Fleeting, Brazil's Daniela and Canada's Christine Latham, as well as U.S. national team players Jenni Branam, Aly Wagner and Shannon Boxx.
Year-by-year YearLeagueRegular seasonPlayoffsAvg. attendanceTotal attendance2001WUSA 5th PlaceDid not qualify5,71162,8212002WUSA 7th PlaceDid not qualify5,88358,8322003WUSA 3rd PlaceSemifinals5,63561,983
Players The "founding players" of the Spirit were Julie Foudy, Shannon MacMillan and Joy Fawcett of the 1999 U.S. Women's World Cup team.
2003 Roster
Coach: Omid Namazi
Coaches Carlos Juarez (2001-2002) Kevin Crow (2002) Omid Namazi (2003)
League suspension
The WUSA announced on September 15, 2003, that it was suspending operations.
See also
List of soccer clubs in the United States Women's association football
References
External links Soccertimes