Trading places: with foreign glitz up top and American workmanship along the back, our All-WUSA Team neatly mirrors the changing state of the women's game - Women's United Soccer Association

Soccer Digest, Dec, 2002 by John Philip Wyllie

THERE IS NO DISPUTING THAT the WUSA is stocked with many of the world's finest players, but those stars and their coaches do not always see eye to eye when it comes to the task of selecting the best 11 players in the league. The inaugural WUSA All-Star Game was a representative sampling of the league's top talent, but team loyalty seemed to rear its head when it came time for the players to name the league's elite 11. That loyalty ran so deep that several players argued for the inclusion of teammates who were not even invited to Portland for the league's All-Star celebration. Thankfully, there were no such problems when we selected our best 11, which for the second year in a row, is dominated by foreign players--especially those in attacking roles. Here is SOCCER DIGEST'S 2002 WUSA All-Star Team:

FORWARDS

Marinette Pichon, Philadelphia Charge

The WUSA MVP and offensive player of the year Marinette Pichon heads our list. France's biggest contribution to women's international soccer arrived on U.S. shores speaking little English, but there was no doubt about her acumen in the universal language of soccer. After Charge teammate Kelly Smith was lost for the season, Pichon picked up the offensive slack for Philadelphia. Despite missing three games to national team duties, Pichon carried her team to a second-place regular-season finish. And her 14 goals placed her behind only Katia, who led the league with 15. A devastating finisher with a lethal left foot, Pichon scored from distance as well as in the box. Her quickness, finesse, and ability to maneuver in tight spaces made her more than a handful for opposing defenders.

"Marinette Pichon is magic on the ball," says San Diego Spirit forward Shannon MacMillan. "She is magic with the runs she makes, her touch, and the shots she pulls off--most of which you don't even think are possible."

Birgit Prinz
Carolina Courage

Teaming with Danielle Fotopoulos in Carolina, Prinz was half of the most lethal one-two punch in the league. Arriving six weeks into the WUSA season, Prinz didn't take long to make an impression, recording a goal, an assist, or both in each of her first nine WUSA matches. Big (5'9"), strong, and physical, Prinz tied for second in the league in scoring with 32 points and walked away with the Founder's Cup MVP trophy.

Katia
San Jose CyberRays

After a somewhat disappointing first year in the WUSA, the sleek Brazilian focused on her strength and speed in offseason--well as her ability to communicate with her teammates. The results were obvious. Katia more than doubled her 2001 output, leading the league in both points (35) and goals (15). Still only 25, Katia could be even better next year if newly acquired forward Mandy Clemens blossoms in the shadow of her collegiate stomping grounds (Santa Clara) and can take some of the heat off of the Brazilian. San Jose narrowly missed the playoffs, but Katia gained some matter of satisfaction by scoring the WUSA "Goal of the Year" and capturing the aforementioned individual scoring honors.

MIDFIELDERS

Hege Riise
Carolina Courage

In 1995, Norwegian Hege Riise was recognized by FIFA as the MVP of the Women's World Cup. Seven years later, now 33, she shows no signs of slowing down. Riise demonstrated her trademark grit and determination in the home stretch of the season, contributing heavily to the Courage's victory march despite playing with an injured hamstring. With superb passing ability, incredible vision, and a dozen years of international experience, Riise may be the best women's attacking midfielder in the history of women's soccer.

Homare Sawa
Atlanta Beat

It would seem unlikely that an international soccer minnow such as Japan would produce one of the world's greatest midfielders, but Sawa certainly deserves her praise. In 2002, Sawa added more offensive production to her steady game, notching seven goals and six assists. The Beat's forwards may earn most of the ink, but much of Atlanta's offensive success over the past two years has been thanks to Sawa's abilities to read the game and make the critical pass.

Kristine Lilly
Boston Breakers

Despite being stuck on one of the league's worst teams over the past two years, Kristine Lilly, soccer's "Iron Horse," continues to roll along. Lilly's 29 points (8 goals, 13 assists) placed her in a three-way tie for fifth in file league, despite missing two games. Never flashy, the steady, hardworking, Lilly, 31, has garnered enormous respect everywhere she has played. A quiet leader, she is the heart and soul of the Breakers. Lilly hopes that the recent regime change in Boston will finally produce a winner--maybe even before she earns her 300th cap.

DEFENDERS

Brandi Chastain
San Jose CyberRays

Brandi Chastain is much more than the game's most recognizable face and articulate spokesperson. She is also a terrific outside back. Chastain can smother challenges before they get started, read the minds of the league's best playmakers, launch a counterattack, and bury the ball into the net. A remarkable personality both on and off the field, Chastain places her indelible stamp on each game she plays. Her versatility allows her to play just about any position and her deserved reputation as the league's premier student of the game gives her an edge over her opponents.