U.S. WOMEN ABROAD (March 28): Reddy, Malmo hold Frankurt in UEFA semifinal

• by Soccer America , Mar 28, 2004

Former Rutgers University standout Denise Reddy played the full 90 minutes as Swedish power Malmo FF held German champion FFC Frankfurt to a 0-0 tie Sunday in the first leg of the UEFA Women's Cup semifinals.

Reddy teamed with Swedish national-teamer Karolina Westberg in central defense as Malmo -- one of two Swedish clubs in Europe's final four -- shut down a Frankfurt lineup starring four German World Cup champions, including former WUSA stars Birgit Prinz and Sandra Minnert. The second leg will be played April 11 in Frankfurt. The game drew 2,150 fans to the Idrottsplats in Malmo.

Defending champion Umea IK, the other Swedish entrant, beat Danish champion Brondby, 3-2, in a semifinal first-leg match on Saturday, with Brazilian teenager Marta scoring the 80th-minute winner.

The Swedish Damallsvenskan kicks off its 2004 season on April 11. Malmoe's opener is April 15 at Balinge.

In Germany, former Atlanta Beat defender Julie Augustyniak on Sunday made her first Frauen-Bundesliga start since joining FFC Turbine Potsdam at the close of winter break, playing in the center of a three-woman backline during a 3-0 victory over visiting FFC Brauweiler Pulheim.

Augustyniak was pulled in the 63rd minute for Annelie Brendel. Her twin sister, Nancy, played 90 minutes in midfield, her third league start (and fourth overall) for Turbine.

Conny Pohlers, the Augustyniaks' teammate in Atlanta, scored two goals for Turbine (12-1-0), which extended its lead over FFC Frankfurt to five points. Frankfurt, which has played two fewer matches than Turbine, didn't play a league match this weekend because of the match at Malmoe.

Former UCLA standout Tracey Winzen, stationed up front for her first two German League matches, lined up at left back for VfL Wolfsburg in a 2-0 loss at SC 07 Bad Neuenahr.

GERMANY

* Julie Augustyniak (FFC Turbine Potsdam, D1), vs. FFC Brauweiler Pulheim, 3-0.
Started, 62 minutes, in central defense.
Season league stats: 3 games, 1 goal.

* Nancy Augustyniak (FFC Turbine Potsdam, D1), vs. FFC Brauweiler Pulheim, 3-0.
Started, 90 minutes, in midfield.
Season league stats: 4 games, 0 goals.

* Dianne Garza (SC 07 Bad Neuenahr, D1), vs. VfL Wolfsburg, 2-0.
DNP. Former Cal State Dominguez Hills star hasn't seen game action all season; Bad Neuenahr (4-6-2) resides just above relegation zone.
Season league stats: 0 games, 0 goals.

* Tracey Winzen (VfL Wolfsburg, D1), at SC 07 Bad Neuenahr, 0-2.
Started, 90 minutes, at left back; Wolfsburg (5-6-2) fell from sixth to eighth place.
Season league stats: 3 games, 1 goal.

SWEDEN (UEFA Women's Cup semifinals)

* Denise Reddy (Malmo FF, D1), vs. FFC Frankfurt (Germany), 0-0.
Started, 90 minutes, in central defense. Second leg is April 11 in Frankfurt.
UEFA Women's Cup stats: 6 games, 0 goals.