The Boston Globe from Boston, Massachusetts • 112

E16 The Boston Globe Friday, September 19, 2003 Players vow to revive WUSA undeniable impact for the Mia Generation, which didnt need a scorecard to know who the players were. "When Aly Wagner was traded here," said Foot "that was a topic of conversation at practice." Which is why the US players, all but one of whom played in the league, are determined to do whatever they can to revive it for the 2005 season. The WUSA was never as much about them, they say, asitwasfortheunder-12sand the players they hoped to emulate. For the next month, they'll have a global stage upon which to make their point again. "It's a chance for us to remind people why we play," said Lilly.

"To let young girls have the same opportunity we've had." By John Powers GLOBE STAFF Kathleen Mooney, Maggie Russell, and Meghan Horan were eighth-graders in 1999, when the US women's soccer team turned up casually at the high school field one September afternoon, wondering if Wellesley's varsity wanted an offday scrimmage. "That was the year everyone bought a Mia Hamm poster," recalled Mooney, who was sitting with her family in the Rose Bowl when Brandi Chastain pulled off her jersey in triumph. Now, Mooney, Russell, and Horan are captains of Wellesley's undefeated squad, hoping to go on to play in college, most likely for a Division 3 program. They were already well along in the pipeline when the Women's United Soccer Association was born two years ago, but they understood why it tial new corporate sponsors has stepped forward, asking how they can keep the league afloat He said these potential sponsors which he declined to name but said included representatives of a financial institution and an apparel company have joined a committee of WUSA members to draft a plan within 45 days. He said they set a deadline because players need to know soon if they will be playing next year.

Langel, who practices in Philadelphia, said the committee could choose to continue next year with the same format, or they could come up with a revised schedule to accommodate the fact that many of the league's star players will be away during the summer Olympics. "We're still fighting to keep this thing alive," said Lilly, the Breakers captain wholl be playing for the US in her fourth World Cup this weekend. "We're not giving up yet. Our job is to do well in the World Cup and keep this thing going." The WUSA was born out of the groundswell of excitement created by the Americans' stirring summer run to the global title on their home soil. Now, the players are hoping that another victory, despite a less feverish buildup, might spark renewed interest among potential investors and sponsors.

"I haven't given up," Hamm told reporters. "There is too much good in this league. So much of that good is the players that show up every day." The best thing about the WUSA was that its players not only showed up but stuck around after the final whistle, chatting with wide-eyed girls who were amazed (and inspired) to find that was significant "The next generation," Horan said after a match this week, nodding toward the under-12 team that was practicing nearby. The next generation is the one that lined up for autographs at Nickerson Field after Breakers games during the past three summers, hoping to be the next Kris-tine Lilly, Kate Sobrero, or Angela Hucles. "They were good role models," said Russell.

The next generation is why the WUSA players, who were abruptly cut loose this week when the cash-starved league suspended operations for next season, insist they're committed to get it up and running again. The players have taken concrete steps to revive the league. John Langel, attorney for the players' association at WUSA, said yesterday that "a handful" of poten their heroines weren't 8 feet tall. "When they stand next to you, they think, 'Hey, I'm as tall as said Lilly, who stands 5 feet 4 inches. "Maybe I can play, too." For the high schoolers, the Breakers represented another reason to keep playing through and after college.

There might only be 20 spots on the World Cup team, but there were eight times that many professional jobs. "You might not make the national team," said Wellesley coach Nancy Foot, who played youth soccer with Lilly in Wilton, "but maybe you could play in the WUSA." That wasnt possible when Lilly and Hamm first joined the national team as teenagers in 1987. And it wasnt possible when Mooney, Russell, and Horan entered high school. The WUSA was a young and fragile enterprise, but it had Patricia Wen of the Globe staff contributed to this report. iiiiiiiiMiiiiiii iiiHiiiMimiiiiiiiiMHiiiiiMmiiiiHiiiiiiiililiiiiiMiiiiiiimiiiiiilliilillHiniiiimiiiiliii Women's World Cup teams at a glance 1 4 i 4 A I i if I ii iiin.iiii mi ii mmkifiimriw AP PHOTO 3.

tiiiiriiivr-iifliiiiraai KRT FILE PHOTO REUTERS PHOTO GLOBE FILE PHOTO If Sun Wen can inspire her teammates, China could find itself in the final again. Norway's Dagny Mellgren, a familiar face in Boston, powers the Olympic champions. Led by forward Birgit Prinz, Germany is expected to be a major World Cup player. Veteran forward Mia Hamm is one of four Americans playing in her fourth World Cup. Group Group Group Group A The Chinese, who were one header (in overtime) and one kick (in the shootout) away from winning the last Cup, have been in a downward spiral since.

The North Koreans own the continent now, but China still is a contender, especially coming out of a group with no returning medalists. "This is a rather satisfying grouping for our team," said forward Zhang Ouying, after her teammates were drawn with Russia, Australia, and Ghana. The Chinese may be aging, but they're still the class of a quartet that includes two teams (Australia and Ghana) they manhandled last time. And unlike 1999, when they piled up massive frequent-flier points crisscrossing the country, China can rent a condo in Carson, for a month if it wants. The fight for second could be decided right away, after improved Australia and the slip-sliding Russians meet in Sunday's group opener.

The Matildas have been early Cup victims before, but they're world-class now. Ghana, which knocked off perennial champ Nigeria during the continental preliminaries, is outclassed here. CHINA World ranking: 4 Best finish: 2d (1999) Last time: 2d Key players: Sun Wen (F), Bai Jie (F), Zhao Lihong (M), Fan Yunjie (D) Chance to advance: They aren't what they were, but the Chinese won't stumble here. And if they get rolling, they could make the final again. RUSSIA World ranking: 11 Best finish: Quarterfinals (1999) Last time: Lost in quarterfinals Key players: Marina Burakova (D), Irina Grigorieva (M), Nata-lya Barbachina (F), Svetlana Petko (G) Chance to advance: Enigmatic, as usual.

If they play to their potential, the Russians have the pedigree to make the final eight again. If not, they could be third here or even fourth. The Babes of Summer are four years older and their task is no easier. This time, they're drawn into the so-called "Group of Death" with Sweden and continental champions North Korea and Nigeria. "Once you get down to 16 teams after 99 tried to qualify, every team is going to be good," figured US defender Joy Fawcett, who'll be playing in her fourth World Cup along with Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, and Julie Foudy.

This time, though, the defending champions' group is tougher than 1999. North Korea, whom the Americans handled, 3-0, in the preliminaries last time, are vastly improved and have supplanted China as Asia's top team. The Nigerians are speedy and rugged. And the Swedes could be the tournament dark horse. The US, which returns all but two starters from the last Cup squad, is in peak form coming off the WUSA season and will be playing in front of packed stadiums again.

But the rest of the world has taken a step up during the last quadrennium. If the hosts take a day off along the road to California, they could be watching the final on TV. USA World ranking: 1 Best finish: 1st (1991 and 1999) Last time: 1st Key players: Mia Hamm (F), Julie Foudy (M), Kristine Lilly (M), Kate Sobrero (D) Chance to advance: All but certain, but winning the group is critical. Otherwise, the Americans could be facing nemesis Norway in the Foxborough quarterfinals. SWEDEN World ranking: 5 Best finish: 4th (1991) Last time: Lost in quarterfinals Key players: Manna Ljungberg (F), Malin Andersson (M), Matin Mostroem (M), Kristin Bengtsson (D) Chance to advance: Any other group would have been better, but the optimistic Swedes have a good chance, especially if they can grab a point from the US.

The Germans aren't complaining about a week in Columbus. Not after hitting the lottery with this group. "We wanted to avoid Nigeria, Brazil, and Sweden and that's what has been done, so that's good," team manager Heike Ullrich said after the draw. With veteran stars like Maren Meinert and Bettina Wiegmann, Germany would likely have advanced out of any group. But they'll have minimal worries here with the likes of Japan and neophyte Argentina.

The Germans gave the US its toughest match until the final last time before falling, 3-2, in the quarterfinals. This time, the hosts are likely to be blocking the way to the final again, but Germany certainly is final four material. The Canadians, who were one-and-done four years ago, have made a major upgrade. They've beaten or tied their American neighbors multiple times since then and have the talent to hang with anybody. The Japanese, who had to beat the Mexicans in a playoff to qualify, look like first-round roadkill again, as do the Argentines, who are playing in their first major international tournament.

GERMANY World ranking: 3 Best finish: 2d (1995) Last time: Lost quarterfinals Key players: Maren Meinert (F), Bettina Wiegmann (M), Ren-ate Lingor (M), Birgit Prinz (F) Chance to advance: Bet every Euro you have. But if the Germans don't show up for 90 minutes for tomorrow's opener with Canada, they could end up second in the group, which would mean a date with the Chinese. CANADA World ranking: 12 Best finish: 1st round (1999 and 1995) Last time: Eliminated 1st round Key players: Charmaine Hooper (F), Christine Sinclair (F), Kara Lang (M), Karina LeBlanc (G) Chance to advance: Write them down in ink this time. And don't bet against them getting into the semifinals, if the Chinese come up flat. After missing the medal stand last time, the Norwegians are on a vision quest to regain the crown they grabbed from the Americans in 1995.

The Olympic champions have loads of experience and savvy and scoring punch (with Breakers' star Dagny Mellgren) and they've got a favorable draw with Cup debutantes South Korea and France. That didn't help the Norwegians last time, though, when they breezed through their group but were destroyed, 5-0, by the Chinese in the semifinals. Brazil, which beat Norway on penalty kicks for the bronze in 1999, won't have stars Sissi or Pretinha, yet there's enough young talent alongside its veterans to advance. But unless they want to meet the Americans, who knocked them out last time, the Brazilians likely will need to beat the Norwegians and win the group. After the top two, the drop-off in this group is huge.

Unlike their male counterparts, who made a global breakthrough at last year's Cup at home, the Korean women are still trying to catch up to their Northern rivals. And the French will need to do something "incroyable" to survive. NORWAY World ranking: 2 Best finish: 1st (1995) Last time: 4th Key players: Dagny Mellgren (F), Hege Riise (M), Anita Ra'pp (F), UnniLehn(M) Chance to advance: Unless they're whirled away to Ontario by Hurricane Isabel, the Norwegians are a lock. But getting past the quarterfinals and either the US or North Korea will be another matter. BRAZIL World ranking: 6 Best finish: 3d (1999) Last time: 3d Key players: Marta (F), Katia (F), Tania (D), Andreia (G) Chance to advance: If they play their game, they'll easily be around for October.

Even if they're out of rhythm, though, the samba sisters have enough flash and dash to finish second here. AUSTRALIA NORTH KOREA JAPAN FRANCE World ranking: 15 Best finish: 1st round (1999 and 1995) Last time: Eliminated in 1st round Key players: Cheryl Salisbury (D), Joanne Peters (M), Dianne Alagich (D), Sacha Wainwright (D) Chance to advance: It won't be a waltz, but the Matildas have the goods to move up and out this time. If they catch the Chinese on a bum day, they might even top the group. World ranking: 7 Best finish: 1st round (1999) Last time: Eliminated 1st round Key players: Ri Kum Suk (F), Jin Pyol Hui (F), Yun Yong Hui (M), Ri Jong Hui (G) Chance to advance: The team nobody wants to play. They're durable, relentless, and confident.

If they beat the Swedes or catch the Americans on an off night, the Koreans could go all the way to the final. World ranking: 9 Best finish: First appearance Last time: Did not qualify Key players: Marinette Pichon (F), Stephanie Mugneret-Beghe (F), Corinne Diacre (D), Elodie Woock (M) Chance to advance: Despite their world ranking and their dramatic improvement, the French are overmatched here. Next time, with a better draw, they'll be ready for the big stage. World ranking: 14 Best finish: Quarterfinals (1995) Last time: Eliminated 1st round Key players: Homare Sawa (F), Mio Otani (F), Yayoi Kobayashi (F), Nozomi Yamago (G) Chance to advance: They were top eight in 1995, but they're only fourth in Asia these days. That probably won't be enough to make it past the first week.

"We have to win games," said coach Eiji Ueda. GHANA NIGERIA SOUTH KOREA ARGENTINA World ranking: unr anked i Best finish: 1st round (1999) Last time: Eliminated in 1st round 1 Key players: Alberta Sackey (F), Memunatu Sulemana (G), Ad-joa Bayor (F), Elizabeth Baidu (D) 1 Chance to advance: The Black Queens have spirit and sass, but lack of support back home hurts them here. Still, they won) be a walkover for anyone. World ranking: 25 Best finish: First appearance Last time: Did not qualify Key players: Park Eun Sun (F), Lee Ji Eun (F), Kim Jung Mi (G), Hwang In Sun (M) Chance to advance: Just getting out of Asia was a huge accomplishment. Third place in the group would give the Koreans something to build on.

World ranking: 23 Best finish: Quarterfinals (1999) Last time: Lost in quarterfinals Key players: Mercy Akide (F), Perpetua Nkwocha (M), Florence Omagbemi (D), Ifeanyichukwu Chiejine (D) Chance to advance: Last time, they were within a golden goal of beating Brazil and making the semifinals. In this company, they're outsiders, but if they beat the Koreans tomorrow, they'll likely go through. World ranking: 35 Best finish: First appearance Last time: Did not qualify Key players: Rosana Gomez (M), Marisol Medina (F), Natalia Gattl (M), Analia Almeida (F) Chance to advance: First time here (or anywhere), so nothing is expected. If you've got a spare peso or two, though, bet the Argentines will grab a point from Japan in their opener. Compiled by John Powers.