The 2001 season was the Philadelphia Charge's first season competing in the Women's United Soccer Association league, the top division of women's soccer in the United States, and first competitive season. The team was coached by Mark Krikorian.
Review
Team formation After establishing the team in November 2000, the inaugural roster for the Philadelphia Charge began to form through a series of drafts organized by WUSA. All eight teams first participated in the WUSA player allocation intended to distribute top players, notably from the American team that won the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup the previous year. The Charge were first allocated US international midfielder Lorrie Fair, being the team's first official player. Goalkeeper, Saskia Webber, and forward, Mandy Clemens finished out the initial allocation for the 2001 season.
After distribution of domestic talent, WUSA hosted the WUSA foreign player allocation, assigning rights of foreign players amongst the eight teams. The Charge drafted German international defender Doris Fitschen and English midfielder Kelly Smith, both signed before the start of the season.
With domestic and international talent allocated, the Charge announced in November 2000 that University of Hartford women's soccer coach, Mark Krikorian, would be appointed the first head coach of the team. Prior to the start of the season, Krikorian would bring on former Swedish international Pia Sundhage and John Natale as assistant coaches. Rosters were filled out in December 2000, where the league hosted the first WUSA Draft Notable acquisitions for the Charge included Chinese international midfielder, Liu Ailing, US international defender, Heather Mitts, and US international midfielder Laurie Schwoy.
First season The Charge played their first match in team history away at San Diego Spirit earning their first win. The team's first goal was a penalty kick scored by Doris Fitschen, followed up by a 62nd minute goal from Kelly Smith. The Charge would finish their first season 4th in the standings, securing the final spot in the first WUSA Playoffs. On August 18, the Charge played their post season match at Atlanta Beat, losing in extra time 3-2, Philadelphia goals scored by Kelly Smith and Mandy Clemens.
Liu Ailing emerged as the primary scoring threat for the Charge, scoring 10 goals in the regular season from 19 starts and registering the team's first hattrick against Carolina Courage.
Club
Roster The first-team roster of Philadelphia Charge.
Team management {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |- ! style="background:#da2736; color:#FFFFFF; border:2px solid #041C2C;"|Position ! style="background:#da2736; color:#FFFFFF; border:2px solid #041C2C;"|Staff Member |- | Head coach || Mark Krikorian |- | Assistant coach || Pia Sundhage |- | Assistant coach || John Natale
Competition
Regular season
Results by round
Home/away results
Regular-season standings
Playoffs
Statistics
Players without any appearance are not included.
|colspan="14"|Goalkeepers:
|colspan="14"|Defenders:
|colspan="14"|Midfielders:
|colspan="14"|Forwards:
Goalkeepers
Nat.No.PlayerAppsStartsRecordGAGAASO Melissa Moore10 10 5–3–1 10 1.00 3 0 0 Saskia Webber12 12 4–5–3 18 1.50 3 0 0 Total 9-8-4 28 1.33 6 0 0 Record = W-L-D
Transfers
In DatePlayerPositionPrevious clubFee/notesMay 24, 2000 Lorrie Fair MF North Carolina Tar Heels WUSA player allocation Saskia Webber GK OKI F.C. Winds Mandy Clemens FW Silicon Valley Red DevilsOctober 30, 2000 Doris Fitschen DF 1. FFC Frankfurt WUSA foreign player allocation Kelly Smith FW New Jersey Lady StallionsDecember 10, 2000 Liu Ailing MF China National Team 2000 WUSA Draft, Round 1, Pick 2, 2nd Overall Heather Mitts DF Tampa Bay Extreme 2000 WUSA Draft, Round 2, Pick 7, 15th Overall Jenny Benson MF Nebraska Cornhuskers 2000 WUSA Draft, Round 3, Pick 2, 18th Overall Ruth Van't Land FW Cal Poly Pomona Broncos 2000 WUSA Draft, Round 4, Pick 6, 31st Overall Sarah Yohe FW Florida Gators 2000 WUSA Draft, Round 5, Pick 2, 34th Overall Raven McDonald MF North Carolina Tar Heels 2000 WUSA Draft, Round 6, Pick 7, 47th Overall Rebekah McDowell MF North Carolina Tar Heels 2000 WUSA Draft, Round 7, Pick 1, 49th Overall Michelle Demko MF Tampa Bay Extreme 2000 WUSA Draft, Round 8, Pick 7, 63rd OverallDecember 11, 2000 Kalli Kamholz MF Tampa Bay Extreme 2000 WUSA Draft, Round 9, Pick 2, 66th Overall Carly Smolak GK 2000 WUSA Draft, Round 10, Pick 2, 79th Overall Jennifer Tietjen-Prozzo DF Lond Island Lady Riders 2000 WUSA Draft, Round 11, Pick 2, 82nd Overall Erin Martin FW Three Kings United 2000 WUSA Draft, Round 12, Pick 7, 95th Overall Beth Keller FW Chicago Cobras 2000 WUSA Draft, Round 13, Pick 2, 98th Overall Laurie Schwoy MF 2000 WUSA Draft, Round 14, Pick 7, 111th Overall Laurie Hill MF California Storm 2000 WUSA Draft, Round 15, Pick 2, 114th OverallMarch 30, 2001 Jennifer Soileau MF Ole Miss Rebels SignedApril 3, 2001 Deidre Enos FW Boston University Terriers SignedApril 13, 2001 Margret Olafsdottir MF Breiðablik Signed Erica Iverson DF Signed Rakel Karvelsson FW Signed Melissa Moore GK Signed
Out DatePlayerPositionDestination clubFee/notesMarch 21, 2000 Laurie Pells GK Waived Angela Harrison Waived Tracey Spinelli Waived Beth Keller MF Carolina Courage Waived Courtney Saunders Waived Laurie Hill MF Released
Honors 2001 WUSA Defensive Player of the Year: Doris Fitschen
References
External links Philadelphia Charge website (archive.org)