Before a game, you need music that gets you and your teammates pumped up. Something that everyone can get in to, something that elicits that much-needed BUZZ in the locker room. But it's a tough call on what to play. Rock? Rap? Pop? Techno?

This month, we hear from our resident hip-hip/R&B expert, U.S. WNT midfielder Lorrie Fair. Fair, a six-year veteran of the U.S. Women's National Team despite being just 23 and not even a year out of college, is currently one of the key contributors of the WUSA's Philadelphia Charge. A review of the hot new album from Arista recording artist Usher titled "8701."

With as much as I travel with the National Team and with my WUSA team, the Philly Charge, music is my constant companion.  I always have a stash of CDs with me and one that I've really been into lately is Usher's new album "8701."  This is his third CD and it doesn't disappoint.

It's got a little bit of everything.  It has an R&B flavor with a little hip-hop and of course, my favorites, the slow jams.  What can I say?  I'm a romantic.  The slow jams are also always key to get you through those red-eye flights.  My favorite song on the album is #4, entitled "Work it Out."  I hadn't heard it before I got the CD.  It has great lyrics, but the appeal is in the tone and mood of his singing. It's something you can really feel.

Track #5 on the CD is "U Got it Bad."  He has a video for this one out right now on MTV with Chili from TLC.  As you might have guessed, it's about being head-over-heels in love.  Everyone thinks he's "with" Chili and I want to know the scoop, because they make a very cute couple.

If you like R & B and you liked Usher's first two albums, you'll like "8701." If you ask me, this is his best work yet.  I recommend you go get it or get your friend to burn it.  But I can't help but wonder, does he "Have It Bad" for Chili?

Table of Contents
1) Armchair Midfielder (USA's World Cup Qualifying)
2) Word Association (w/ WNT midfielder Shannon MacMillan)
3) Cobi's Book Club (w/ MNT midfielder Cobi Jones)
4) Queries and Anecdotes (w/ U-23 MNT goalkeeper D.J. Countess)
5) DJ for a Day (w/ WNT midfielder Lorrie Fair)
6) Superstar!!! (w/ MNT midfielder John O'Brien)
7) Mark That Calendar (2002 World Cup final draw -- Dec. 1)
8) Point-Counterpoint (w/ commentators Andres Cantor and Jack Edwards)
9) From the Bleachers (w/ U.S. Soccer fans Keiran Downie & Jeniffer Huie)
10) "You Don't Know Jack (Marshall)" (U.S. WCQ history)

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