Beat make WPS debut Sunday
With their star rookie recovering from a stomach virus, the Beat will make their debut in the second season of the Women's Professional Soccer league Sunday evening in Philadelphia.
Midfielder Tobin Heath, taken first overall the WPS draft out of North Carolina and an Olympic gold medalist, has been suffering from a stomach virus and is still recovering.
"She's looking very good," said coach Gareth O'Sullivan. "It's just a matter of how long she'll be able to go.
The Beat, who are awaiting the completion of a soccer-specific stadium on the campus of Kennesaw State, will play their first four games on the road.
The home opener is May 9. Tickets for that game, against New Jersey-based Sky Blue FC, go on sale Monday. They will play a 24-game schedule that runs through September.
"I feel we can compete with anybody in the league," O'Sullivan said. "We hope to be around once the playoffs begin."
About the Author
Ken Sugiura is a sports columnist at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Formerly the Georgia Tech beat reporter, Sugiura started at the AJC in 1998 and has covered a variety of beats, mostly within sports.
