Buried treasure: the Philadelphia Charge moved to the top of the WUSA thanks to team defense, selflessness, and a coach with a shrewd eye for unearthing hidden talent - soccer

Soccer Digest, Oct-Nov, 2002 by John Philip Wyllie

WITH A NEW PROFESSIONAL sports league, the only guarantee is that there are no guarantees. There aren't any proven winning formulas or formations or even stars--which has been a good thing for the Philadelphia Charge. On paper, the team seemed to be the league's weakest when the WUSA kicked off its inaugural season last year. But by the end of 2002, they were on top because they trusted themselves rather than the pundits.

The biggest believer in the Charge's roster of relative unknowns has been their likewise unheralded coach Mark Krikorian. With previous experience guiding NCAA Division II's Franklin Pierce College and the University of Hartford, Krikorian was an eyebrow-raising choice to guide the club. It now seems as it his hiring was a masterstroke. Krikorian is a new coach with a new approach for the new league. He didn't have any loyalties to other players and isn't concerned with history or resumes. He simply follows his own instinct and observations.

For one, while much of the WUSA prided itself on focusing on attacking soccer, Krikorian often gives defense top billing at Charge practices, making it the responsibility of every player on the field. The move paid off: In 2002, the Charge allowed only 22 goals in 29 regular-season games, seven fewer than the league's second-stingiest team. "When we were playing a 4-4-2, we had specific [defensive] roles for each forward," says Krikorian. "Now that we have switched to a 4-5-1, we defend as a team and attack as a team. Even [lone striker] Marinette Pichon has some defensive responsibilities, but those are primarily left to the midfielders and defenders."

Those responsibilities ballooned with the retirement of the WUSA's 2001 defensive player of the year Doris Fitschen. The previously untested Erica Iverson got the call, and to the relief of her teammates has acquitted herself well. "Erica came in at the end of last season when Doris got hurt and played amazingly well," says Charge right back Heather Mitts. "This year, she has stepped up even more."

Mitts and center back Iverson are joined on the back line by team captain Jen Tietjen in the middle and Jenny Bensen on the left flank to form one of the league's toughest defenses. With Tietjen and Iverson effectively controlling the middle. Bensen and Mitts--each of whom have mastered the fine art of serving balls with precision from the flanks--enjoy the freedom to join the attack.

While Bensen and Mitts were recently rewarded for their performances with a national team opportunity, Krikorian has been equally impressed with Tietjen's ball and organizational skills. "Jen is an outstanding captain," says Krikorian. "When Kelly Smith went down with an injury, she took over the responsibilities of being captain. She is a solid team player and is willing to do whatever it takes to help. She's a great communicator and I think she has done a very, very good job."

Behind that formidable wall stands one of Krikorian's shrewdest acquisitions, goalkeeper Melissa Moore. The unlikely star began her WUSA career as a walk-on with the San Diego Spirit before being plucked from anonymity and the waiver wire by Krikorian. Ironically, Moore started on opening day against her former teammates and shut them out. She repeated the feat in their second meeting of the season. In all, she appeared in 10 games last year and would have played in more had she not been injured. Her sterling play limited the role of '99 Women's World Cup reserve Saskia Webber and eventually made Webber expendable. This year, Moore has emerged this year as one of the league's top keepers. "Moore is very good with her feet and her range in coming off of the line is good," says Krikorian. "Anytime the ball is played back in a space where some keepers will hesitate to get it, she won't. She is tearless and she'll come after it with either foot. She strikes the ball well with her left or her right."

Versatility is also the hallmark of Philadelphia's midfield. Shifting from a 4-4-2 to a 4-5-1 after Smith's blown ACL ended her season Krikorian substituted freely in the midfield, which has become a crowded and inhospitable place for its opponents. Philadelphia's constantly changing midfield consists of frequent starters Lorrie Fair, Kerry Conners, Zhoa Lihong, and Liu Ailing with help from a pool that included Mandy Clemens, Mary-Frances Monroe, Rebekah McDowell, and rookies Stacy Tullock and Andrea Afiler.

Smith, the WUSA's only England native was enjoying a MVP-type season before her knee gave way in early June. In seven starts, she scored four goals and had three assists. Such a blow would have devastated many teams, but Smith's absence provided Marinette Pichon, brought to Philly as a free agent, an opportunity to shine. The French international took advantage of her new role and finished the season with 14 goals, second in the league to the San Jose CyberRays' Katia (15), despite playing in only 18 games.

Once again, the credit must go to Krikorian's eye for talent. "I saw her play in the European Championship and then did a lot of follow-up, a lot of homework," explains Krikorian. "She scores [on average] a goal in every other game when she plays for France. That's a pretty remarkable rate, but I never expected that she'd perform for us the way she has."