The San Diego Spirit was a professional soccer team that played in the Women's United Soccer Association

Women's United Soccer Association

The Women's United Soccer Association, often abbreviated to the WUSA, was the world's first women's soccer league in which all the players were paid as professionals. Founded in February 2000, the league began its first season in April 2001 with eight teams in the United States...

. The team played at Torero Stadium

Torero Stadium

The Torero Stadium is a 6,000-seat stadium in San Diego, California that is primarily used for soccer and American football. It was built in 1961...

 on the campus of the University of San Diego

University of San Diego

The University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic university in San Diego, California. USD offers more than sixty bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral programs...

 in San Diego, California

San Diego, California

San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...

. The team began play in 2001. The league announced on September 15, 2003 it was suspending operations.

The founding members of the Spirit were Julie Foudy, Shannon MacMillan

Shannon MacMillan

-References:...

 and Joy Fawcett. The team reached the playoffs in the 2003 season, losing to the Atlanta Beat in the semifinals. Other notable members of the Spirit included Scotland's Julie Fleeting

Julie Fleeting

Julie Fleeting MBE , whose married name is Julie Stewart, is a Scottish international footballer who currently plays as a striker for Arsenal Ladies in the FA WSL. She wears the number 10 shirt....

, Brazil's Daniela and Canada's Christine Latham

Christine Latham

Christine Latham is a Canadian soccer forward currently playing for Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer and is a member of the Canadian Women's National Team.- Early years and university :...

, as well as US WNT players Jenni Branam

Jenni Branam

Jennifer Lea Branam is an American soccer goalkeeper currently playing for Sky Blue FC of Women's Professional Soccer and was a member of the United States women's national soccer team.-External links:* * * *...

, Aly Wagner

Aly Wagner

Alyson Kay "Aly" Wagner is a former American soccer midfielder who last played for Los Angeles Sol of Women's Professional Soccer. She was a member of the United States women's national soccer team...

 and Shannon Boxx

Shannon Boxx

Shannon Boxx is an American soccer midfielder currently playing for magicJack of Women's Professional Soccer and is a member of the United States women's national soccer team....

.