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Players missing
the WUSA

Lorrie Fair and Tiffany Roberts had stellar careers for the North Carolina Tar Heels and continued having success with the United States National Women's team.

They are part of the national team player pool, but really would like to see the rebirth of the Women's United Soccer Association that quit doing business after the 2002 season.

"There is a great group of people trying to get WUSA going again. I am confident they will get it going," said Roberts, who, along with Fair, was an instructor at this past week's ProXtreme Soccer Camp conducted by the Honolulu Bulls.

"I'm staying fit and hopefully will be able to play professionally again. There is no timeline for restarting WUSA. Right now, they need more sponsors."

Roberts used the down time to complete her degree in communications at UNC.

Fair spent last summer working as the sideline reporter for Major League Soccer matches on ESPN. A communications and mathematics major, she did player interviews before and after matches, talked to the coaches during the match, and got injury reports and anything else the announcers needed.

"I'd rather be playing and I'm all for WUSA coming back," said Fair. "Things went very well the three years I was in Philadelphia. There are a lot of pro teams in that town, but our fans were exceptional. We made at least four appearances a week at clinics and the parents loved it.

"I'm optimistic WUSA will return, but I don't want to be set up for a total disappointment."

On the men's side, another instructor, Marshall Leonard of the New England Revolution, says the growing trend by MLS teams to build their own, smaller stadiums -- as opposed to using an NFL football stadium -- is a plus for the league.

"The small stadiums have a certain look and feel when they are packed," said Leonard, who turned pro two years ago after a four-year career at Virginia. "Even when you are playing away matches, the environment excites you,

"It is better for the fans and it is usually easier to get to these stadiums. And, the teams don't have to share revenue for parking and concessions, things like that. I know the Dallas Burn opened a new stadium this year and the Chicago Sting is going to build one."

The Columbus Crew and Los Angeles Galaxy play in new stadiums. The owner of the new team in Salt Lake City plans a soccer-only facility.

Freshmen shut out

David Gualdarama played in 19 of 20 matches for New Mexico (17-1-2). The midfielder from Kamehameha took eight shots without scoring. The Lobos reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division I tournament before losing to Virginia 6-5 on penalty kicks after playing to a 1-1 tie.

Michael Kanemori saw action in 10 matches for the Beloit (Wis.) Buccaneers. The midfielder from Iolani did not score on either of his two shots. Beloit (10-5-3), a NCAA Division III school, lost the Midwest Conference tournament title game to St. Norbert 2-1.