Philadelphia Charge

In spring of 2000, the newly formed Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) announced eight cities were granted franchises to start the league, including Philadelphia. Most of the inaugural teams were owned by major media companies, with the new Philadelphia club operated by locally headquartered Comcast Corporation who invested an initial $5 million into WUSA.{{cite web |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2001/04/09/story8.html |title=Women's soccer team ready to Charge |author=John George |website=bizjournals.com |date=April 9, 2002 |access-date=April 3, 2020}} In November 2000, the club's name and logo was officially announced as the Philadelphia Charge and would play home matches at Villanova Stadium.{{cite web |url=https://reuters.screenocean.com/record/167354 |title=USA: SOCCER - INAUGURAL WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL SOCCER LEAGUE ANNOUNCES TEAM NAMES, LOGOS |publisher=Reuters |date=November 2, 2000 |access-date=April 3, 2020}} The logo for the Charge incorporated the Comcast Corp. "C" as part of its marketing efforts. The Charge began preparations for the first team with a 15-person front office and was supported by the Comcast-Spector organization for stadium operations, marketing, promotions, tickets, and merchandise.

By late 2000, the Charge had announced that University of Hartford women's soccer coach, Mark Krikorian, would be appointed the first head coach of the team.{{cite web |url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2000-11-20-0011201736-story.html |title=KRIKORIAN TO TAKE CHARGE OF PHILADELPHIA FRANCHISE |author=Mark Pukalo |publisher=The Hartford Courant |date=November 20, 2000 |access-date=April 3, 2020}} Prior to the start of the season, Krikorian would bring on former Swedish international Pia Sundhage and John Natale as assistant coaches.{{cite web |url=https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/8769/wusa-notes-assistant-coach-and-front-office-hirin.html |title=WUSA Notes: Assistant coach and front-office hirings |publisher=SoccerAmerica |date=February 1, 2001 |access-date=April 3, 2020}}

The Philadelphia Charge conducting sports performance training at Aspiring Champions in King of Prussia, PA with certified sports trainers, Antonio Davis and Maine Prince. Both attending Penn State University and studied Exercise and Sports Science. Eventually after the team dissolved, Antonio Davis opened The Premiere Sports Academy in King of Prussia, PA. Sports Performance Trainer. Maine Prince, opened Philadelphia Sports Training Center in 2005, with his wife Justina Prince, a 2-time Academic All-American Soccer Player from Moravian University in Bethlehem, PA. The 85,000 square foot sports training facility located in Aston, PA was the premiere sports performance training facility for professional athletes, college athletes, high school athletes, and weekend warriors.{{Cite web |title=phillysportstc.com - Smart casual and sporty style |url=http://phillysportstc.com/ |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=phillysportstc.com |language=en-US}} Until sold in 2011 for over one billion dollars and is now the largest movie studio in Pennsylvania called Sun Center Studios. {{Cite web |title=SunCenter Studios |url=https://www.suncenterstudios.com/}} Following the sale of the building for Philadelphia Sports Training Center, Maine Prince opened a fulltime sports agency called Prince Management Group.{{Cite web |url=http://princemanagementgroup.net/PMGW/ |title=Prince Management Group |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=princemanagementgroup.net}} The Philadelphia Charge was the city of Philadelphia's most recognizable sports venture conceived by the late, Ed Snider, owner of Comcast (as well as owner of the Philadelphia Flyers and Philadelphia Sixers - at that time).

{{see also|2001 WUSA season}}

{{see also|2001 Philadelphia Charge season}}

The Charge would begin their first campaign led by American forward Lorrie Fair, German defender Doris Fitschen, and English forward Kelly Smith. Finishing the inaugural season in fourth, the Charge advanced to the WUSA semi-final playoff match, losing to Atlanta Beat 3–2.

{{see also|2002 WUSA season}}

{{see also|2002 Philadelphia Charge season}}

Building on their first season, the Charge finished second in the standings for the regular season and lead the league in defense with fewest goals conceded (22). This season also featured the signing of Marinette Pichon, who lead the team in scoring and earning Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards.{{cite web|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/wusa/2002-08-22-awards_x.htm |title=Philadelphia's Pichon takes top honor in WUSA awards |website=usatoday.com |date=August 22, 2002 |access-date=April 4, 2020}} Similar to the first season, the Charge lost in the semi-finals, this time to Washington Freedom. Mark Krikorian also won WUSA Coach of the Year honors from the successful regular season.

{{see also|2003 WUSA season}}

{{see also|2003 Philadelphia Charge season}}

The Charge's final season featured the team's worst record, finishing last (eighth) in the WUSA regular season standings. This season also began the career of future national team goalkeeper, Hope Solo, who made her professional debut in the Charge's first win of the season at New York Power.

The Charged played all their home matches at Villanova Stadium, located in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The 12,500 capacity stadium was the only WUSA stadium utilizing artificial turf.{{cite web|url=https://villanova.com/sports/2018/6/18/facilities-nova-stadium-11-html.aspx |title=Villanova Stadium |website=villanova.com |access-date=17 October 2020}} The Charge players, coaches and front office representatives took part in upgraded turf unveiling ahead of the 2002 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/charge-take-part-in-villanova-turf-unveiling/n-1964684 |title=Charge Take Part in Villanova Turf Unveiling |website=oursportscentral.com |date=April 3, 2002 |access-date=October 17, 2020}}

Several notable U.S. Women's National Team stars made their pro debuts with the Charge, including defender Heather Mitts (2001-2003) and goalkeeper Hope Solo, who appeared in 8 matches as a rookie backup goalkeeper in 2003. Other notables included French international Marinette Pichon, who won the 2002 WUSA Most Valuable Player award for the Charge, and English star Kelly Smith.{{cite web |url=http://www.funwhileitlasted.net/2012/07/06/june-8-2002-philadelphia-charge-vs-washington-freedom/ |title=June 8, 2002 – Philadelphia Charge vs. Washington Freedom at Fun While It Lasted |access-date=July 6, 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602170941/http://www.funwhileitlasted.net/2012/07/06/june-8-2002-philadelphia-charge-vs-washington-freedom/ |archive-date=June 2, 2013}}

2003 Roster{{cite news|title=2003 Philadelphia Charge Roster|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/wusa/news/2003/philadelphros/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031018122133/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/wusa/news/2003/philadelphros/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 18, 2003|publisher=Sports Illustrated|access-date=October 21, 2012}}

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player|no=1|nat=USA|pos=GK|name=Melissa Moore}}

{{Fs player|no=2|nat=USA|pos=MF|name=Lorrie Fair}}

{{Fs player|no=3|nat=USA|pos=FW|name=Emily Burt}}

{{Fs player|no=5|nat=USA|pos=DF|name=Karyn Hall}}

{{Fs player|no=6|nat=USA|pos=DF|name=Jenny Benson}}

{{Fs player|no=7|nat=FIN|pos=MF|name=Anne Makinen}}

{{Fs player|no=8|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Kelly Smith}}

{{Fs player|no=9|nat=CZE|pos=MF|name=Pavlína Ščasná}}

{{Fs player|no=10|nat=USA|pos=FW|name=Deliah Arrington}}

{{Fs player|no=11|nat=FRA|pos=FW|name=Marinette Pichon}}

{{Fs mid}}

{{Fs player|no=12|nat=USA|pos=MF|name=Erin Misaki}}

{{Fs player|no=13|nat=USA|pos=DF|name=Heather Mitts}}

{{Fs player|no=14|nat=USA|pos=MF|name=Rachel Kruze}}

{{Fs player|no=15|nat=USA|pos=MF|name=Stacey Tullock}}

{{Fs player|no=16|nat=DEU|pos=MF|name=Melanie Hoffmann}}

{{Fs player|no=18|nat=USA|pos=GK|name=Hope Solo}}

{{Fs player|no=19|nat=USA|pos=DF|name=Alexa Borisjuk}}

{{Fs player|no=21|nat=USA|pos=FW|name=Trina Maso de Moya}}

{{Fs player|no=22|nat=USA|pos=MF|name=Mary McVeigh}}

{{Fs player|no=25|nat=USA|pos=MF|name=Jennifer Tietjen-Prozzo}}

{{Fs end}}

Coach: Mark Krikorian

Source:[https://www.statscrew.com/womenssoccer/t-WPHC]

In 2001, Philadelphia Charge player, Doris Fitschen was named WUSA Defender of the Year.{{cite news|title=Power forward selected as first WUSA MVP|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/wusa/2001/championship/news/2001/08/23/wusa_awards/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010827165813/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/wusa/2001/championship/news/2001/08/23/wusa_awards/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 27, 2001|publisher=Sports Illustrated|access-date=21 October 2012}}

In 2002, Philadelphia Charge player, Marinette Pichon was named WUSA's Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year and was the co-recipient with Mia Hamm for Goal of the Year for a scissor kick volley against the San Diego Spirit. Goalkeeper Melissa Moore was awarded Goalkeeper of the Year and Stacey Tullock was named Rookie of the Year. Coach Mark Krikorian took the honor of WUSA Coach of the Year the same year.{{cite news|title=Philadelphia's Pichon takes top honor in WUSA awards|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/wusa/2002-08-22-awards_x.htm|publisher=USA Today|access-date=21 October 2012|date=22 August 2002}}

In 2003, the Charge was awarded the WUSA Team Fair Play Award and defender, Jenny Benson, was named WUSA Humanitarian of the Year.{{cite news|title=Meinert wins most valuable player|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/wusa/2003-08-21-wusa-awards_x.htm|publisher=USA Today|access-date=21 October 2012|date=21 August 2003}}

The Women's United Soccer Association announced on September 15, 2003 that it was suspending operations.{{cite news|title=WUSA ceases operations after three years|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/wusa/2003-09-15-wusa-folds_x.htm|publisher=USA Today|access-date=21 October 2012|first1=Vicki|last1=Michaelis|date=16 September 2003}}{{cite web|title=U.S. WNT Responds to Women's United Soccer Association Suspending Operations|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/news/womens-national-team/2003/09/u-s-wnt-responds-to-womens-united-soccer-association-suspending-operations.aspx|publisher=US Soccer|access-date=21 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727183649/http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Womens-National-Team/2003/09/U-S-WNT-Responds-To-Womens-United-Soccer-Association-Suspending-Operations.aspx|archive-date=27 July 2012|url-status=dead}}

{{Portal|Women's association football|Philadelphia|Sports|Association football}}

• Philadelphia Independence
• Women's Professional Soccer
• National Women's Soccer League
• Women's professional sports
• Women's association football
• List of soccer clubs in the United States

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{{Reflist|30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20011217093641/http://www.wusa.com/charge/ Philadelphia Charge website (archive.org)]

{{Women's United Soccer Association}}

Category:Defunct soccer clubs in Pennsylvania

Category:Women's soccer clubs in the United States

Charge

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Category:Soccer clubs in Pennsylvania

Category:Women's United Soccer Association teams

Category:2000 establishments in Pennsylvania

Category:2003 disestablishments in Pennsylvania

Category:Association football clubs disestablished in 2003

Category:Association football clubs established in 2000