Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • Page 54

I 10 Section 4 CNcago Tribune, Friday. June 25, 1999 U. A '1 Women'sWorldCup THURSDAY'S RESULTS GROUP A United States 7, Nigeria 1 North Korea 3, Denmark 1 GROUP Brazil 2, Italy 0 Germany vs. Mexico, late SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE GROUP Canada vs. Russia 11a.m., ESPN2 (New York) GROUP China vs.

Australia 1:30 p.m., ESPN2 (New York) Ghana vs. Sweden 4 p.m., ESPN2 (Chicago) CROUP Norway vs. Japan 6:30 p.m., ESPN2 (Chicago) FIRST-ROUND STANDINGS III Tribune photo by Phil Velasquez Ashley Aguirre (left) and Erin Tudor, both 13, show their true colors Thursday amid more than 65,000 fans at Soldier Field. Nigerians partied a bit too hard goal several minutes later when Scurry was out of position and two U.S. defenders collided in the box.

But defender Brand! Chastain deflected the shot left of the post. "It was going wide anyway," said Scurry, who finished with two saves. Nigeria finished with only three shots on goal, a surprisingly low number for team that has tremendous speed and ability. "I had some work to do tonight," Scurry said. "I expected it because they really fast and quick.

They get to the ball fast. When a team is really fast like that anything can happen. One of my players could fall down or slip so I had to be ready." certainly don't want to do that again in this event We were all right" Nigeria's goal by Nkiru Okosi-eme stunned the partisan crowd. But it didn't so much as phase the favored Americans. "I wasn't worried about it," Scurry said.

"We came back with a vengeance. I think the warmup was so short we weren't really ready to go. It was a weird goal. We had an entire game to play so It wasn't like we weren't going to get at them." Nigeria celebrated the goal like it was the game-winner in the World Cup championship game. Their players fell to the ground and rolled around the Soldier Field turf.

"When you score on us first, we're going to come after you," Shannon MacMillan said. "There's no mercy." Lost in the U.S. barrage of goals the Americans scored three in four minutes was the continued solid play of Scurry, who has gone relatively unnoticed next to the U.S. offensive stars. She shut out Denmark 3-0 in the first game.

"My role Is to keep It tidy back there," she said. "They get through every once in awhile. I try to keep the breakdowns to a minimum and just try to clean up what I can. They got one on me today but it went off the post. I was like, 'OK, if that's the only way you can score, Nigeria almost scored another By Chip Scoggins Tribune Staff Writer The goal didn't bother Briana Scurry.

The way Nigeria's players celebrated after it did. "They made us mad," the U.S. goalkeeper said. "I was like, 'Wow, boy. They shouldn't have done that' That was not a good idea on their part" After allowing the goal in the second minute, the Americans took out their anger on Nigeria to cruise to a 7-1 victory Thursday night in the Women's World Cup before a raucous capacity crowd of 65,080 at Soldier Field.

"Well it wasn't the way we wanted to start a game," U.S. coach Tony DiCicco said. "But there's no panic in this team. We GROUP A WIT GF GA PT USA 2 0 0 10 1 6 North Korea 1 10 4 3 3 Nigeria 1 10 3 8 3 Denmark 0 2 0 1 6 0 CROIPB GF GA PT x-Brazil 2 0 0 9 1 6 Germany 0 0 1 111 Italy Oil 131 Mexico 0 10 17 0 GROUP GF GA PT X-Norway 2 0 0 9 2 6 Russia 1 1 0 6 2 3 Japan Oil 161 Canada Oil 281 GROUP GF GA PT x-China 2 0 0 9 1 6 Sweden 1 1 0 4 3 3 Australia Oil 241 Ghana Oil 181 INSIDETHE WORLD CUP Mood is red, white and blue Soldier Field fans simply go Cup crazy By Chip Scoggins Tribune Staff Writer Marc Satterly was hard to miss Thursday among the capacity crowd of 65,080 for the Women's World Cup at Soldier Field. Satterly, 30, looked like a modern day Uncle Sam.

His shirt, shorts and top hat were all red, white and blue. And for good measure, he had an American flag facsimile painted on his face. "I have to do something to get the people going," Satterly said. Satterly and six family members drove from Kansas City to attend the game. Satterly spent three weeks last summer follow ing the U.S.

men's team in the Men's World Cup. "I'm a soccer fanatic," he said. Hf'jwasn't alone Thursday night. The festivities at Soldier Field began several hours before the Brazil-Italy game at 5 p.m. Fans tailgated, listened to live music and snatched up souvenirs at breakneck speed.

The hottest item was a replica U.S. No. 9 jersey, which, of course, is the number worn by U.S. star Mia Hamm. Everywhere you turned were young girls wearing the jerseys.

"Mia Hamm's my favorite player," said 10-year-old Kristen Baader of Kildeer. Child's play: Crystal Juarez of Chicago and Werner Ramirez of Long Beach, both missed on their chance to win $1 million by kicking a ball through a target at halftime of the U.S.Nigeria match. Not to worry. The two 13-year-olds still took home $25,000 each as finalists in the contest. Fan support: The announced attendance of 65,080 was the largest soccer crowd for an event at Soldier Field.

The previous record came several weeks ago when Argentina played Mexico in front of 64,433. Spanning the globe: Nearly 200 media credentials were issued for Thursday's sessions, which included representatives from all four competing countries. Jackie's there: Not only did cancer patient Jackie Renner feel well enough to attend the U.S.Nigeria match, she rode to Soldier Field in style. Jackie, who was diagnosed as having bone cancer, and her mother, Mary, took a limousine from their home in Sycamore to the game, thanks to Mary's brother John. "I had a blast," said Jackie, who will have surgery to remove her fibula and cancerous tumor next week.

Good hair day: Not to be outdone by the cosmic cosmetology of the Nigerian team, backup goalkeeper Saskia Webber and reserve forward Danielle Foto-poulos dyed their hair in patriotic colors. Webber's red-white-and-blue 'do was particularly vibrant. Defenders debut: U.S. defenders Sara Whalen and Lorrie Fair earned their first World Cup caps Thursday. Fair, 20, is the youngest player on the team and has one year of NCAA eligibility left at North Carolina.

She and her identical twin, Ronnie, who attends Stanford, became the first siblings ever to play for the U.S. team in a friendly in 1997. Sissi puts right foot forward Note: In the first round, each team faces the other teams in its group once, earning three points for a victory and one point for a tie. The top two teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals, where the tournament shifts to single elimination, x-makes second round U.S. UPDATE -si.

Mianeiaer Ji Nta Michelle Akers n3 now has sole pobsessiun ui the record for if; vV i "A tfJ -ifv )V career World Cup goals, breaking a tie with retired German forward Heidi Mohr. Akers scored 10 goals in 1991 including five in one game and both U.S. goals in the final but played in only two games in 1995 because of an injury. Her one goal Thursday brings her total to 11. QUOTE OF THE DAY "The best thing in an ironic way is that they scored first, but we don't want that to happen again." Midfielder Kristine Lilly on Nigeria's goal in the second minute of the game By Chip Scoggins Tribune Staff Writer Brazil star Sissi has a portfolio of spectacular goals in her distinguished career.

On Thursday, she added another, even if it looked rather rudimen-Brazil 2 tary. jnr; Sissi scored her my first right-footed goal of her 10-year career to lead Brazil to a 2-0 World Cup victory against Italy in front of a capacity crowd of 65,080 at Soldier Field. The triumph virtually secures the Brazilians a spot in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Brazil is 2-0 in Group play and is assured a spot in the Cup quarterfinals. Italy is 0-1-1 in Group B.

"What we are doing right now is proving to the world that Brazil should have been the top seed," Brazilian captain Elane said. Sissi, the creative and smooth center-midfielder, offered further proof she is one of the top players in the world. Sissi scored both goals for Brazil to increase her World Cup total to five. Michelle Akers of the United States holds the World Cup record with 11. The right-footer came after some good-natured razzing from Brazil's goalkeepers coach, Sergio Gomes de Souza.

"He said the only thing my right foot is good for is to step on the bus," Sissi said through an interpreter. "But it will be something I will always remember." And what did she say to her assistant coach after the goal? "I told him you got on my case so much I finally had to score with the right one," Sissi said. "But I used some different words in Portuguese that I would rather not say." Italy had several golden scoring Tribune photo by Nucclo DINuzzo Brazil's Elane (13) keeps the ball from Italy's Anna Duo' during Brazil's 2-0 victory Thursday night. GOT A QUESTION Wondering which teams are favored to make the finals? Want to know more about the U.S. zil in a place where it belongs." Itty 0 00 Brad 1 1 2 Firat halt: 1, Bnud, Sissi 4 (Nene).

3rd minus. Second half: 2, Brail, Sissi 5. 63rd. Qoaltot: Brazil, Maravilha; Italy. Luisa Marchk).

Comar kicka: Brazil 4. Italy 6. OftsktoK Brazil 2, Italy 2. Shots on goat Brazi 6. Italy 5.

Foukc Brazil 17. Italy 15- YaHow cards: Brazil, Suzanna 35th, Tama 73rd, Nene 84th; Italy. Duo, 13th, Tavalazzl, 22nd; Guarmo, 71st Referee: Nielsen, Denmark. Linesmen: Kruithof, Netherlands; Kleven, Norway. NA Uneups: Breztt Maravilha; Nene (Juliana, 90th).

Elane, Tania, Cidinha; Katia (Maicon, 75th), Sissi, Suzana, Raque) (Fomnga, 46th); Mansa; Pretinha. My: Giorgia Brenzan: Lusa Marchk), Darveia Tava-lazzi. Roberta StetaneW; Anna Duo, Antonella Carta (Silvia Fiorini, 58th), Fedenca D'Astolto, Manuela Tesse; Rita Guarmo (Silvia Tagitacam, 74th), Patnoa Pamco, Aoele FroKani (Damiana Deiana. 55th). Maravilha blocked Antonella Carta's shot and Rita Guarino's header sailed over the crossbar.

With all the pretournament publicity going to the United States and defending champion Norway, the Brazilians quietly have established themselves as viable contenders for the Cup. "We are sort of a new arrival on the international scene because the United States and Europe have more structure," Brazil coach Wilson de Oliveira Rica said. "We hope to put Bra chances but couldn't convert. It missed a penalty kick in the first half and had a goal erased because of an offsides call early in the second half. Both were devastating blows to the Italians.

"Not only do I look disillusioned but I am disillusioned," Italy's goalkeeper Giorgia Brenzan said. "The whole team is down. Having missed the penalty kick weighed quite a bit on us." The Italians actually had two chances on the play. Brazil's offense? Send your questions about the Women's World Cup to staff writer Bonnie DeSimone at: chjcagotribunexomgoaskbonnie The 1999 PGA Championship August America's greatest city welcomes the world's greatest golfers. Tim PGA QlAMPiONSHme.Get tickets while you still can.

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