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Let's get physical Beat look to get over hump vs. Spirit in WUSA semisPosted: Saturday August 16, 2003 1:26 PMATLANTA (AP) -- One loss on penalty kicks. Another in sudden death. The Atlanta Beat figure it's about time to win a women's soccer championship. The Beat, the only WUSA team to make the playoffs in all three years of the league's existence, have yet to claim a title. They hope to rectify that shortcoming, beginning Sunday in the semifinals against the San Diego Spirit. The winner faces either Boston or Washington in the Aug. 24 championship game at San Diego. "After being knocked down every year, it's got to tick you off," forward Charmaine Hooper said. "We've been disappointed two years in a row, and I know I do not want to be disappointed a third year." The Beat lost the inaugural Founders Cup in 2001, falling to San Jose on penalty kicks. Last season, Carolina knocked off Atlanta 2-1 on penalty kicks in the semifinals, denying the Beat a chance to play for the championship on their home field. "If we don't win this game, then obviously we haven't won anything all year," Hooper said. "Everything that we've done means nothing." Atlanta will have to overcome a sudden lack of offense, going 0-1-4 in its final five games to miss a chance at the regular-season title. Boston finished two points ahead. "I've been getting chances," forward Cindy Parlow said. "I just haven't been finishing." Atlanta went 1-0-2 against the Spirit this season. Neutralizing star midfielders Julie Foudy and Aly Wagner won't be enough this time around. "They're not one-dimensional," Beat coach Tom Stone said. "There's no one player that you can take out. You have to deal with their attacking group as a whole." He knows the Spirit is capable of playing a ferocious game. "San Diego fouled the absolute snot out of Washington in their last game," Stone said. "It was like a football game. I couldn't believe some of the hits. If they bring that kind of physicality to our game, it'll be interesting." Look for Hooper to play a key role. "For three straight years now, Charmaine has been consistent through the year but has saved her best for the end of the season," Stone said. "She is just an animal in front of the net." In WUSA, though, winning isn't the only thing. The league has endured a significant drop in attendance since the inaugural year, leading to concerns about its financial health. Hooper spent Saturday morning at a suburban grocery story, greeting fans and selling tickets. Cox Enterprises, which owns both the Beat and the Spirit, gave out 1,500 freebies to its employees. The Beat's average attendance has dropped from 11,183 in 2001 to 6,958 this year -- a 38 percent plunge. "I think everyone always looks forward to promoting the team,
simply because this is our bread and butter," Hooper said. "We
have a very good product and it's important that we sell it."
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