Hattiesburg American from Hattiesburg, Mississippi • 17

HATTIESBURG AMERICAN Sports Tuesday, September 16, 2003 5B More girls playing high school soccer IS FROM pagelB have a good background to build on because of it." Roughly 300,000 girls played high school soccer during the last school year for which records are available, but far more competed on club teams at the grass roots level National figures on participation in club teams are not available. Girls as young as 4 can start playing, and they receive expert instruction, just as the boys do. Greg Greenzweig, girls soccer coach at Pennsville (N.J.) Memorial High, believes it's a plus that for the first few years in youth soccer, girls and boys can play together. "One of the reasons girls soccer is so strong is that they play against guys at a young age," he said. "And that molds confidence." In some cases, parents with children in youth soccer and youth leagues themselves have exerted pressure to have local high schools offer soccer for girls.

"Soccer got started in Delaware because of community leagues," says athletics director Tom Rosa of St. Mark's High near Wilmington, Del. "They pressured high schools to play girls soccer." It's not that tough a sel School ad- ministratore like soccer because fielding a team doesn't cost a lot of money. Uniforms, nets, soccer balls and a fidd are all that's needed. In any case, feeder programs will keep high schools well stocked with polished players.

A fairly typical trajectory for a youngster is to start playing at an early age. That can lead to competition on an elite traveling squad. As they advance through the ranks, the best players compete just about 12 months a year, in high school and for club teams the rest of the time. "Soccer is an aerobic sport, with a lot of running, going, twisting and turning," said Udo Radloff, director of coaching for the Hattiesburg association. "When they transition from select right into high school, they're fit, ready and the understand the dynamics of the game.

And those are the ones who are successful." While soccer is flourishing, the percentage of girls who play high school sports has leveled off after steady increases the past 20 years. Data for the 2002-03 school year show the girls' participation rate has remained unchanged for a fourth year at 33 percent The boys' rate, currendy at 46 percent, has been relatively stagnant for more than a decade. y- i I II I "mi- GAVIN AVERILL Hattiesburg American Oak Grove High soccer standout Erin Holder, left, heads the ball away during a match against Ocean Springs earlier this year. GEORGE CLARK Hattiesburg American Caroline Akers, 12, practices with her U-12 Titans soccer team in preparation for last May's Snickers Cup tournament in Hattiesburg. Women's World Cup returns to different landscape in U.S.

By Barry Wilner AP Sports Writer Right in the middle of fall football and baseball pennant races, the Women's World Cup returns to a far different sports landscape this time around. U.S. victories and a shirt-stripping celebration might not be enough for the Cup to repeat the success of its 1999 tournament, which turned into a celebration of all women's sports. Will anyone pay attention when the Cup begins Saturday? Will it become another front-page phenomenon capped by a third championship for the United States? Nobody is quite sure. When FIFA, soccer's international governing body, set the fall dates for the tournament, it was to be played in China.

But the SARS outbreak forced FIFA to move the event, and the only viable bid came from the United States. So, with NFL and college quarterbacks chucking and pitchers throwing, what chance do the women have to make an impact? "Every World Cup is awesome," says U.S. captain Julie Foudy, playing in her fourth Cup as many as have been staged. "The chance to have it here again is extra special, and I think you'll see it will be a huge success." Expecting this tournament to equal '99 is unfair. Four years ago, the World Cup marked the end of a three-year building plan and was held in June and July, with little sports competition in the United States.

It caught on big back then, thanks greatly to the pioneering efforts of the American players and such moments as Brandi Chastain's much-replayed celebration, when she ripped off her jersey after scoring the championship-winning goal. The level of play this year certainly will be stronger, in part because of the three years players have spent sharpening their skills in the WUSA, the league spawned by the '99 Cup. The recognition factor is much higher, too. Foudy, Chastain, Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Briana Scurry and Tiffeny Milbrett are among the conquering heroines familiar to nearly every soccer-playing kid, and probably their parents. That's who figures to be in the stands in Philadelphia when the tournament begins next Saturday with Norway playing France and Nigeria against North Korea.

The events, they love big events," she says. "Even if it is something like this, with the tournament coming to the United States at the last minute, they respond. "I don't worry about attendance numbers, because it is not something I can control. None of the players can, but sure, we want it to draw well." But Chastain has another view. "I think, unlike '99, people are ready for this World Cup," she says, noting how the buzz four years ago began when the tournament did.

"They have their TVs set to the time of the games, they know what's coming, and they're excited. "We didn't have that in '99. It was an unusual situation with the first-ever women's event on that large of a scale. We're looking forward to this tournament, I think, with even more anticipation in terms of people who will be watching on television." ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will share the broadcast duties, but with so many games up against football, the ratings could be minuscule. And they will be invisible if the Americans don't advance.

The top-ranked U.S. team is in the most dif equalizers. The Americans, Brazilians, Canadians, Germans, French and Swedes figure to press the issue offensively, which should make for entertaining games. Too often in the men's event, coaches pull back, satisfied with first-round ties that usually are dull, conservative affairs. That doesn't happen much with the women.

Also noteworthy will be the protective headgear worn by a number of players, including U.S. veteran defender Joy Fawcett and Hooper. FIFA approved the equipment earlier this month. This World Cup also will be a test for U.S. coach April Heinrichs, a former teammate of many of the American veterans in their final World Cup.

Nothing less than another championship is expected now that the Americans are the hosts again. "We've got experience, wisdom and composure," Heinrichs says confidently. "We've got speed, strength, and athleticism. You will also see players who bring us energy and enthusiasm. "We're going to play to win.

And we're going to play so Americans can be proud of their team." ficult first-round group, with Sweden (ranked fifth), North Korea (seventh) and Nigeria. So this will be no cruise through Washington, Philadelphia and Columbus on the way to the quarterfinals. "It's going to be a fight every single game," Hamm says. "To be the best you have to play the best and we understand that." Group has two top contenders in Brazil and Norway, which won the 1995 championship and beat the United States for the 2000 Olympics gold medal. Group is led by Germany and rapidly improving Canada.

Group has China, which lost in a penalty-kick shootout to the Americans before a sold-out Rose Bowl in the '99 final. Among the best international players are Norway's Dagny Mellgren; Sweden's Hanna Ljungberg; China's Sun Wen; Canada's Charmaine Hooper; Germany's Maren Meinert, the WUSA's MVP this season; France's Marinette Pichon, who won the WUSA award in 2002; and Brazil's Sissi. Goalkeeping is stronger than ever, too, with Canada's Karina LeBlanc and South Korea's Kim Jung-mi capable of being the great "We've got speed, strength, and athleticism. We're going to play to win. And we're going to play so Americans can be proud of their team." April Heinrichs, U.S.

soccer coach next day at RFK Stadium, the United States opens against Sweden, and Brazil takes on South Korea. Other sites for the three-week tournament are Columbus, Ohio; Portland, Foxboro, and Carson, where the final will be held Oct. 12 in the new Home Depot Center, which is fast becoming the unofficial home for U.S. national teams. All games will be part of double-headers except the third-place match and the final.

Some stadium capacities will be reduced, and Foudy hopes many of the ballparks will be full. But she's not concerned, because even in empty arenas, the Americans will be under heavy pressure to produce, to win a third World Cup. "Americans respond to big I A 0 3 Sixteen of the world's best women's soccer teams will gather in the United States starting Sept. 20 for the fourth Women's World Cup. Defending champion U.S.A.

gets to defend their title on their home turf after the tournament was moved from China due to the SARS outbreak. Defending champs at home Sweden Fourth appearance Third place in 1991 Key: Hanna Ljungberg, Coach: M. Domanski Lyfors North Korea Second appearance Never made it past first round Key: Ri Kum-suk, Coach: Ri Song-gun United States Fourth appearance Won 1991,1999 Key player: Mia Hamm, Coach: April Heinrichs Nigeria Fourth appearance Quarterfinals in 1999 Key: Mercy Akide, Coach: Sam Okpodu Three-time African champs, they were one The Swedes have been disappointed in the quarterfinals of the past two Women's World Cups, knocked out by Scandinavian The North Koreans are two-time champions of Asia who ended China's run of seven straight championships in The defending champions look to become the first team to win consecutive Women's World Cups. two teams to score against the host team il ruin 0 r.l Arl 1-1 in '99. The Super Falcons led after two 2001 and then defeated the powerful Chinese again in June to claim the regional title.

Kum-suk scored 15 goals in the 2003 Asian tournament, many against lesser teams In the early rounds, but twice in the final, including an overtime penalty kick to win. A physical squad, it remains to be seen how the North Koreans will matchup against teams from outside Asia. minutes of their first round game against the Americans, but the U.S. team scored six goals in 24 minutes en route to a 7-1 romp. Nigeria has a quick team and a quality offensive.

Akide, the first African to score in WUSA, is a main target while captain Florence Omagbemi, who has played in all three previous Women's World Cups, directs the team from a defensive midfield position. rival Norway in 1999, and as hosts in '95 lost to China on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie. Ljungberg tore a knee ligament in last game of the first round in 1999, and without her, the team had little chance against Norway. With the two Malins, Andersson and Mostroem, directing the midfield, they have a strong squad, but could find themselves out early if they don't beat North Korea. The U.S.

have the speed to keep up with Nigeria. Experienced midfielders like Kristine Lilly and Julie Foudy have the patience and skill to match the discipline of North Korea and Sweden. Brandi Chastain and Joy Fawcett will anchor a defense that previously allowed only three goals in six matches in 1999 and should carry the team deep into the tournament. South Korea First appearance Key: Kim Jung-mi, Brazil Fourth appearance. Third place in 1 999 Key: Sissi, Coach: Paulo Goncalves Norway Fourth appearance Won 1 995 Key player: Dagny Mellgren, Coach: Aage Steen Coach: An Jong-goan France First appearance Key: Marinette Pichon, Coach: Elisabeth Loisel i Never having played in the Women's World Vp32y CUP Finals or the Olympics, the French TFpm Similar to its men team in World Cup Norway has the best chance of Much like their male counterparts, the Brazilian women attack with flair and speed.

Brazil blew a three-goal lead against Nigeria lAi knocking off the U.S. team, since they 2002, the women should be very fit, and capable of playing three games in one beat the them in the semifinals in the iair 1 1 lajui 11 uci I icuiui lai daoi 1171 iio. iu iui 1 tied for the WUSA lead with 14 goals in 2003 and was the league's MVP in 2002. She posseses deft skills in front of the goal and a finisher's instinct. Captain Corrine Diacre has over 100 international caps.

Stephanie Mugneret-Beghe of the Boston Breakers provides some help in midfield, but the rest of the team is inconsistent. week with little fatigue. However, it's unlikely they will be playing any more than that, especially having been drawn into this tough group. Striker Park Eun-sun is fast but inexperienced up front. With some heroic play from Kim Jung-mi, South Korea could score some points away from the group.

in the quarterfinals in 1 999, but won in overtime to advance to semis, where the team lost to the Americans. Forwards Pretinha and Katia each scored five goals for San Jose in the WUSA, but Pretinha will not play because of a knee injury. With Sissi directing in midfield, along with San Diego's Daniela, Brazil can push the ball forward as well as any team. '95 World Cup and won gold at the 2000 Olympics. Some of their top players are in the WUSA, including Boston's Mellgren who tied for the league lead with 14 goals this season.

New York's Anita Rapp and Carolina's Unni Lehn provide versatility in midfield. Hege Riise, one of the top players from the '95 championship team, is recovering from knee surgery. Argentina First appearance Key: Marisol Medina, Coach: Jose Carlos Borello Japan Fourth appearance Quarterfinals in 1995 Key: Homare Sawa, Coach: Eiji Ueda Canada Third appearance Never made it past first round Key: Charmaine Hooper, Coach: Even Pellerud Germany Fourth appearance Runner-up in 1 995 Key player: Birgit Prinz, Coach: Tine Theune-Meyer TT With no WUSA experience and generally Japan earned the last spot in the field for the World Cup by a 4-2 aggregate victory over Mexico. Sawa is the leader of the One of the most improved teams over me past four years, Canada has benefited from the WUSA. At 35.

Hooper is still one Germany led the U.S. 2-1 in the 99 quarterfinals but lost 3-2, failing to reach the semifinals. Carolina's Prinz in the untested in internationafplay, Argentina will struggle against the elite like Germany and Canada. Rosana Gomez wears the No. 10 on her back, made famous by Diego Maradona.

Medina was the leading scorer in qualifiers with seven goals in five matches. Argentina is not expected to advance. WUSA scored 11 goals in the 2003 season and tied for fourth best in the league. She is the top scoring threat, along with Boston's Maren Meinert. Meinert won the league MVP and the All-Star MVP awards.

If both teams win their groups, a semifinal rematch may happen. team, and the squad's performance may depend on the play of the creative Atlanta Beat midfielder. Sawa was first-team All-WUSA in 2002. Forward Mio Otani is the team's biggest scoring threat up front while defender Emi Yamamoto likes to push up the left side to aid the attack. Yamamoto set up goals in each of the two legs against Mexico.

of the top strikers around, with 11 goals for the Atlanta Beat in the 2003 season. Hooper will likely be paired with 20-year-old Christine Sinclair up front. Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc has lots of experience against topflight strikers and is solid in the net. Canada could draw China in the quarterfinals and has the skill to go deeper into the tournament. Ghana Second appearance Never made it past first round Key: Alberta Sackey, Coach: Oko Aryee Russia Second appearance Quarterfinals in 1999 Key: Svetlana Petko, Coach: Yuri Bystritsky Australia Third appearance Never made it past first round Key: Cheryl Salisbury, Coach: Adrian Santrac China Fourth appearance Runner-up in 1999 Key player: Sun Wen, Coach: Ma Liangxing Ghana became the first country to beat Niqeria at the African chamoionshiDs with Petko, 33, has more than 130 caps since joining Russia's first women's national team in 1 990.

Her experience from the Australia has gone through a goal-scoring drought in its warmup matches for the Cup, going 497 minutes without a goal. It remains to be seen whether China can equal the run put together in 1 999, when they lost in penalty kicks in the an UDset in thn fiarlv rounds of tha POOP last Cup, will be useful this time around. Attacking players Alexandra Svetslikaia, Irina Gregorieva, and Natalia Barbashina are the top goal-scoring threats. Defender Maria Bourakova, 37, is the team's oldest member and anchors its backline along with Vera Stroukova. Russia's match against Australia on Sept.

21 should decide which one advances to the quarterfinals. tournament. Sackey, was named African women's soccer player of the year and scored the game-winner against Nigeria. Goalkeeper Memunatu Sulemana is regarded as the best in Africa. Nana Amma Gyamfuah is a veteran forward while Elizabeth Baidu provides a youthful scoring touch.

With Sulemana, Ghana could take points away from more established teams in this group. That ended when Salisbury scored 1-0 over Scotland in an exhibition match, but the Matildas still seem to have problems. The lack of output up front puts an onus on the backline to shut out the opposition. Salisbury who plays for New York in the WUSA is the squad's all-time leading scorer. She is teamed with San Jose's Dianne Alagich, who is nursing a hamstring strain.

finals to the U.S. the same team that eliminated them in '95. Having won the Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards in '99, Wen, 30, will be playing her fourth World Cup. She could be paired with Bai Jie up front, creating a sawy and dangerous front line. A possible matchup with Canada in quarterfinals will tell whether China has what it takes to win the prize.

AP SOURCES: FIFA Women's World Cup; Associated Press.