Four Philadelphia Charge players will be making their television debut this weekend when they appear on The Learning Channel's hit show "Trading Spaces." The episode, which is scheduled to air this Saturday, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. (ET) on TLC, will be the first that features professional athletes on the hit show.
Erica Iverson and Jen Tietjen swapped homes with Karyn Hall and Mary-Frances Monroe and redecorated a room in each other's place. The results of the projects have been kept under lock and key, but regardless all of the players had fun.
"It was great," Monroe said afterwards. "Karyn and I were worried that Jen and Erica would make our place look horrible. But we were pleased with the result."
Hosted by Paige Davis, "Trading Spaces" features neighbors who have volunteered to be on the show swap houses for two days while they redecorate one room in each other's homes. The participants each work with one of a rotating cast of interior designers and $1,000 budget. Both couples/designers share a carpenter, and a fleet of cameras record it all.nThe trade-off is that the homeowners can't see their own homes until the end of the second day and have nothing to say about what's going on in their house.
In case you miss it, the episode will be aired again at 11 p.m. that night and at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
Krikorian hits the scouting trail With the postseason exhibition schedule complete, Philadelphia Charge head coach Mark Krikorian is now dedicating virtually all of his time towards scouting. The 2002 WUSA Coach of the Year is on the road visiting a number of universities across the country to evaluate talent and hopefully find the next superstar.
"I don't want to tell you where I'm going," Krikorian said jokingly. "We want to find the next star and not give our competition the heads up."
"Seriously, this can be one of the most tiring times of the year because of all the traveling, especially since I don't have a coaching staff in place just yet."
The Charge own three first-round draft choices this year, holding their own (seventh) and acquiring Washington (sixth) and San Jose's (fourth) picks following trades. There a number of options for Philadelphia, including trading one or a number of the draft positions for a veteran player.
"We have some time to decide what we will do with the three draft picks," added Krikorian. "We are always listening and whether it's through the draft or trades, we are looking to improve our club."
Closer to hiring assistants
Krikorian has interviewed a number of candidates for his vacant assistant coaching positions over the last month, but has not made a decision yet as to who will be taking over for Pia Sundhage and John Natale.
Sundhage was the Charge's first assistant last year, but was hired earlier this offseason to head coach the Boston Breakers. Natale also went to Boston to assist Sundhage.
"I have interviewed a number of strong candidates," Krikorian said. "I expect to making a decision within the next few weeks."
Fair selected for Gold Cup roster
Lorrie Fair has been named to the U.S. Women's National Team roster by head coach April Heinrichs for the 2002 Gold Cup. Fair was among 18 players selected, as the U.S. will attempt to qualify for the 2003 Women's World Cup in China. Fair has scored seven goals in 103 appearances with the U.S. WNT. She recently appeared in all three games of the 2002 Nike Cup, which the U.S. won by posting a 3-0 mark. The 24-year-old Fair had five assists for the Charge this season, missing two games due to national team duty. The USA's regional qualification tournament is being played as the eight-team 2002 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup, taking place from Oct. 27-Nov. 9, 2002, at four venues on the west coast of the United States and Canada. All 16 matches of the tournament will be televised live on Fox Sports World.
Charge fall in Oneonta
The Charge played their second and final postseason exhibition game a week ago, falling to the Boston Breakers 2-1. Tara Koleski scored the lone Charge goal, as Kristine Lilly tallied the game-winner for the Breakers with only two minutes left. The setback ended the Charge's exhibition slate at 0-1-1. Philadelphia played to a 1-1 tie against the San Diego Spirit on Sept. 14 at the Rose Bowl as part of an MLS doubleheader with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Pichon scores game-winner for France
Charge forward Marinette Pichon scored the game-winning goal in France's 1-0 win over England to help her country grabbed the inside track for the final European World Cup qualifying berth. Pichon's tally came in the 75th-minute, as France downed the Kelly Smith-less squad in London on Thursday, Oct. 17 in front of 6,200 fans in the first of two games. The second contest will be held in St. Etienne, France on Nov. 16. Pichon was the 2002 WUSA MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, leading the Charge with 14 goals and one assist for 29 points.
Tietjen suffers stress fracture
Defender Jen Tietjen has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in her left foot. Tietjen, who is expected to be out for 6-8 weeks and be at full strength for the start of the 2003 preseason, has her foot in a boot. She suffered the injury towards the end of the regular season, but played through the pain. She also played in both postseason exhibition games for the Charge and the WUSA All-Star Game.
Tullock, Koleski undergo surgery
Midfielder Stacey Tullock and forward Tara Koleski each underwent successful arthroscopic knee surgery on Thursday, Nov. 17. Both players had the meniscus repaired in their right knee by team physician Dr. William DeLong at University of Pennsylvania Hospital.
Other injury updates
Charge midfielder Kelly Smith is progressing as planned after having the ACL in her right knee reconstructed back in June. Smith is expected to be at full strength for the start of next season ... Midfielder Rakel Karvelsson is almost at full strength following surgery on the ACL in her right knee earlier this year. Karvelsson didn't appear in any games for the Charge, having suffered the injury during the preseason ... Rookie midfielder Mary-Frances Monroe is continuing her rehabilitation following ankle reconstruction in September. Monroe is in Los Angeles, Calif. conducting her rehab assignment as she finishes her education at UCLA ... Backup goalkeeper Maite Zabala is almost at full strength following arthroscopic surgery on her right knee last month. Zabala appeared in one game for the Charge this past season, allowing two goals in a loss to San Jose ... Jenny Benson is recovering just fine after suffering minor injuries in a car accident that occurred while she was traveling home from a U.S. national team training camp in early Oct.
Media Updates
The next Philadelphia Charge media update will come on Monday, November 4. For up-to-date information visit PhiladelphiaCharge.com.
