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 EMAIL WOMENSOC@aol.com | |
| USA NEWS AND VIEWS
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EMAIL WOMENSOC@aol.com | |
| USA NEWS AND VIEWS
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Schedule 1998
Updated March 28, 1998
| Date | Opponent | Location | Kickoff/TV | Tickets | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 24 | Argentina | Cal State Fullerton | 7:30 p.m. PT | 714.278.2783 (CSF), 714.975.8326 (Mission Viejo SoccerFoundation) | $8 -$18 |
| April 26 | Argentina | San Jose State | 12 p.m. PT (ESPN) | 510.762.2277 (Bass Tickets) 408.985.4625 (San Jose Clash) | $8-$35 |
| May 8 | Iceland | IUPUI (Indianapolis, IN) | 7 p.m. CT | 317.239.5151 (TicketMaster) 317.255.0499 (Indiana Youth Soccer) | $10-$20 |
| May 10 | Iceland | Lehigh Univ. (Bethlehem, PA) | 12 p.m. ET (ESPN2) | 610.758.4305 (Lehigh Univ.) 800.562.7485 (E. Pennslyvania YSA) | $8-$18 |
| May 15-24 | Japan | Two games | |||
| May 30 | New Zealand | RFK Stadium (Wash, DC) [Note: Venue Change] | 11:00am | 1-888-947-KICK (410) 729-2754 (Maryland Youth Soccer Assn) | $50 - $9 |
| June 2 | New Zealand | To be determined | |||
| June 25 | Germany | A-B Conf. & Sports (St. Louis) | 7:30 p.m. CT | 314/349-3777(A-B Certre) | $15 |
| June 28 | Germany | Soldier Field (Chicago) | 5 p.m. CT | 312/559-1212(TicketMaster), 888/657-3473(Chicago Fire), 847/290-1577(Illinois YSA) | $8-$20 |
| July 23-2 | Goodwill Games | New York | China, Norway, Denmark | ||
| October 18-25 | U.S. Women's Cup | Brazil plus 2 | |||
| December | 1999 WWCup Draw | USA v Rest of the World All Stars | |||
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Support The US Women's National Team At RFK Stadium May 30 Along With Sam's Army
1-888-947-KICK
(410) 729-2754
(301) 498-4906
Sam's Army, the bastion of support for the U.S. women's and men's national teams, is calling on all volunteers to support the American cause at the women's-men's international doubleheader on May 30 at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C.The action kicks off at 11:00 a.m. when the 1996 Olympic champion U.S. women take the field against New Zealand, followed by the USA- Scotland men's contest at 1:30 p.m. This super soccer spectacle is co-hosted by the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA). As a special service to Sam's Army, MSYSA has reserved a 3,000-seat End-Line section for seasoned veterans and new recruits. Fans standing with Sam's Army must wear red and come to the stadium ready to cheer passionately for the USA. Tickets in the Sam's Army section cost $16.00--a $2.00 discount off the retail price.
TICKETS GOING FAST
Over 600 Sammers have already reserved their tickets for the USA-New Zealand / USA-Scotland women's-men's doubleheader. Don't wait until the last minute to join Sam's Army at RFK!
Reserve your Sam's Army seats from MSYSA today! MSYSA OFFERS SUPER DISCOUNTS To guarantee an opportunity for every supporter to attend this historic doubleheader, MSYSA has slashed ticket prices by as much as 50 percent.
Boys and girls under 19 years of age can purchase an $18.00 ticket for just $9.00 and adult seats in the same section cost $16.00. These special discount tickets can only be purchased in advance from MSYSA until May 15.
To order tickets for the USA-New Zealand / USA-Scotland doubleheader or request further information, contact the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association at 1-888-947-KICK and (410) 729-2754 during business hours or (301) 498-4906 in the evening or on weekends.
| TICKET PRICES | |
|---|---|
| USA-New Zealand / USA-Scotland | |
| Location | Price |
| VIP | $50 |
| Sidelines | $35 |
| Sec. Sidelines | $25 |
| End Lines | $18 |
| SPECIAL MSYSA DISCOUNT TICKETS (End Lines) | |
| Adult - $16 | Youth U-19 - $9 |
| SAM'S ARMY SECTION | |
| Adult and Youth - $16 | |
USA 7 -- Argentina 0 Before 14,608 In San Jose
| USA | Argentina |
|---|---|
| 7 | O |
| April 24,1998 | Spartan Stadium |
| Attendance:14,608 | Sunny 74°F |
| USA | Argentina |
|---|---|
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Goals
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Goals: None |
Substitutions
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Substitutions
Yellow Cards
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Officials
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Friday, April 24, 1998
U.S. National Team Dominates Argentina 8-1
Milbrett Scores Three Goals In Front Of Sold-Out Crowd
FULLERTON, Calif. - The U.S. Women's National Team delighted a sold-out Titan Stadium crowd of 10,099 fans with a slew of spectacular goals, dominating Argentina for an 8-1 victory as hundreds of people were turned away at the gate.
Argentina actually scored first, shocking the standing-room only crowd with a magnificent goal on its first attack just four minutes into the match. Noemi Morales lost a defender at the top of the penalty box and rolled a pass to Maria Villanueva, who took a touch and cracked her shot into the roof of the net from 10 yards out.
It would be Argentina's last highlight, and incited a U.S. team that exploded for eight goals, including lightning quick scores in the 7th and 9th minutes from forward Tiffeny Milbrett, who would add another in the 57th minute for her first career hat trick.
With two goals and four assists in the match, forward Mia Hamm was the catalyst, repeatedly tearing huge holes in Argentina's defense as the crowd roared its approval, creating an electric atmosphere in the packed stadium. She set up the first goal when she put Kristine Lilly behind the defense on the left flank. Lilly bent a hard cross on the ground into the middle, where Milbrett ran onto the ball and hit her shot first-time into the left side of the net from 12 yards out to tie the match.
Two minutes later, Hamm slipped a ball to Milbrett behind defense on the right side of the penalty box, and she slotted her shot under charging Argentina goalkeeper Liliana Torres to give the USA the lead. "I was very pleased with the match and the team put on a great show for the crowd," said U.S. Head Coach Tony DiCicco, who saw his team out-shoot the South Americans, 32-3. "I know Argentina will continue to improve, but today, the U.S. was entertaining, committed and creative for 90 minutes. We produced some great goals and I think we gained some confidence for the games to come this year."
Hamm also created the third goal when she ran down ball in deep in left corner, spun and crossed to Michelle Akers at far post. The ball flew over Torres and Akers slid to volley home from three yards out. It was Akers 95th international goal as she continues to move towards 100 international scores. Milbrett completed the hat trick, once again courtesy of a great pass from Hamm, cracking her shot into the right corner from 10 yards out. The three goals upped Milbrett's international goal total to 37.
"It was wonderful game for the team," said Milbrett. "We were all pretty sharp coming off a week of training camp and my finishing was definitely on today. To get three goals in front of such a great crowd was awesome. We got a feel for what the atmosphere will be like for the World Cup in 1999." Dicicco made three substitutes in the 57th minute and two combined for a brilliant goal just two minutes later. Sara Whalen burned her defender down the left flank and sent a blistering cross to the near post were Debbie Keller slashed in to volley the ball first-time into the roof of the net from three years out.
Hamm got her first goal in the 66th minute, volleying in Justi Baumgardt's cross after winning the ball in the penalty box. Just three minutes later, Hamm beat her defender around the corner on the left side, pulling Torres to the near post, and sent a perfect pass back to Keller, who let the ball run through her legs and flicked it into the goal with her heel from three yards away. It was Keller's 7th international goal.
Hamm put a capper on the night in the 87th minute, whipping the crowd into a frenzy by blasting her shot into the open net from close range after winning a bouncing ball in the penalty box. It was her 87th career goal in 144 international games.
The two teams will meet again on Sunday at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, Calif. with the kickoff at 12:30 p.m. PT. The match will be televised live on ESPN.
Lilly made her 147th career appearance in the match, tying the men's world record for international appearances held by Majed Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. She now sets her sights on the women's world record of 151 appearances held by retired Heidi Stoere of Norway. Provided she plays in the USA's next three domestic matches -- Sunday against Argentina in San Jose, and May 8 and 10 against Iceland in Indianapolis, Ind. and Bethlehem, Pa., respectively -- Lilly will tie the record against Japan in Tokyo on May 17 and then break it against Japan in Kobe on May 21.
U.S. Women's National Team Game Report
| United States
National Team | Argentina National Team |
|---|---|
| 8 | 1 |
| Competition: International Friendly | Venue: Titan Stadium - Fullerton, Calif. |
| Date: April 24, 1998 | Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. PT |
| Attendance: 10,099 (Sell Out) | Weather: Cool, clear 68° |
| USA | ARGENTINA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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| Scoring | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Maria Villanueva (Noemi Morales) 4 mins | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Misconduct Summary
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April 10, 1998
Training
Camp Roster For U.S. Women's National Team Against Argentina
| No. | Player | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | DOB | Hometown | College | Caps/Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scurry, Briana | G | 5-8 | 145 | 9/7/71 | Dayton, MN | UMass | 65 |
| 2 | Staples, Thori | D | 5-8 | 140 | 4/17/74 | Joppatowne, MD | NC State | 52/0 |
| 3 | Pearce, Christie | D | 5-6 | 140 | 6/24/75 | Point Pleasant, NJ | Monmouth | 21/2 |
| 4 | Overbeck, Carla | D | 5-7 | 125 | 5/9/69 | Chaple Hill, NC | UNC | 112/7 |
| 5 | Cook, Ann | M | 5-5 | 130 | 10/25/74 | Springfield, MO | William & Mary | 0/0 |
| 6 | Chastain, Brandi | D | 5-7 | 130 | 7/21/68 | San Jose, CA | Santa Clara | 62/14 |
| 7 | Whalen, Sara | D | 5-5 | 130 | 4/28/76 | Greenlawn, NY | UConn | 12/0 |
| 8 | MacMillan, Shannon | M | 5-5 | 130 | 10/7/74 | Escondido, CA | Portland | 46/13 |
| 9 | Hamm, Mia | F | 5-5 | 125 | 3/17/72 | Chapel Hill, NC | UNC | 143/85 |
| 10 | Akers, Michelle | F | 5-10 | 150 | 2/1/66 | Oviedo, FL | Central Florida | 115/94 |
| 11 | Foudy, Julie | M | 5-6 | 130 | 1/23/71 | Mission Viejo, CA | Stanford | 121/22 |
| 13 | Lilly, Kristine | M | 5-4 | 130 | 7/22/71 | Wilton, CT | UNC | 146/53 |
| 14 | Fawcett, Joy | D | 5-5 | 130 | 2/8/68 | Huntington Beach, CA | UC Berkeley | 109/15 |
| 15 | Venturini, Tisha | M | 5-6 | 125 | 3/3/73 | Modesto, CA | UNC | 95/34 |
| 16 | Milbrett, Tiffeny | F | 5-2 | 125 | 10/23/72 | Portland, OR | Portland | 86/34 |
| 17 | Baumgardt, Justi | M | 5-8 | 135 | 7/22/75 | Federal Way, WA | Portland | 13/2 |
| 18 | Mead, Jen | G | 5-10 | 175 | 6/13/72 | Raynham, MA | Providence/GMU | 6 |
| 18 | Webber, Saskia | G | 5-9 | 135 | 6/13/71 | Princeton, NJ | Rutgers | 19 |
| 19 | Cromwell, Amanda | M | 5-7 | 145 | 6/15/70 | Annandale, VA | Virgina | 49/1 |
| 20 | Fotopoulos, Danielle | F | 5-10 | 165 | 3/24/76 | Almonte Springs, FL | Florida | 8/4 |
| 21 | Keller, Debbie | F | 5-4 | 130 | 3/24/75 | Naperville, IL | UNC | 29/5 |
| 22 | Sobrero, Kate | D | 5-9 | 140 | 8/23/76 | Bloomfield Hills, MI | Notre Dame | 0/0 |
| 23 | Neaton, Natalie | F | 5-10 | 150 | 5/24/74 | Brighton, MI | William & Mary | 2/2 |
| 24 | Ducar, Tracy | G | 5-7 | 130 | 6/18/73 | N. Andover, MA | UNC | 16 |
| Team Staff | Name | Hometown |
|---|---|---|
| Head Coach | Tony DiCicco | Wethersfield, CT |
| Asst. Coach | Lauren Gregg | Charlottesville, VA |
| Asst. Coach | Jay Hoffman | Chagrin Falls,OH |
| Team Administrator | Melissa Pilgrim | Chicago, IL |
| Sports Psychologist | Colleen Hacker | Tacoma,WA |
| Trainer | Laureen Selby | San Diego,CA |
| Equipment Manager | Brent Gonzalez | Sacramento, CA |
| Press Officer | Aaron Heifetz | West LosAngeles, CA |
March 31, 1998
Mia Hamm's Second Annual Garrett Charity Game
Sunday April 5, at 1:30 pm in the Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconson, 32 of the best women soccer players in the USA are volunteering their time and skills to raise money for two outstanding charities.Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastain, Briana Scurry, Joy Fawcett, Amanda Cromwell, Carla Overbeck, Tiffeny Milbrett, Shannon Macmillan, Tisha Venturini, Carin Gabrarra and Debbie Keller will play for charity in honor of Mia Hamm's brother in the Second Annual Garrett Game.
They will play a team that includes Robin Confer, Sara Whalen, Staci Wilson, Nel Fettig, Samantha Baggett, Andi Melde, Naomi Stone, Ashley Albrecht, Justi Baumgardt, Jennifer Mcelmury, Jen Walek, Kelly Roethe, Maureen Bothwell, Karin Tinucci, Regina Sekyra, Lisa Krzykowski, Josha Krueger, Molly Pape,and Kathy Hoverman.
The event will be a reunion of 11 bone marrow transplant children and their donors, four of whom have never met before. The patients and their donors will be honored at a special halftime ceremony celebrating the miracle of two lives forever joined in one.
All participants and organizers are donating their time, and all net proceeds will go to charity. Recipients will be the Marrow Foundation, which supports the National Marrow Donor Program, and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Foundation, which supports the bone marrow transplant program at Children's. The Marrow Foundation will use the funds to assist in minority Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Foundation will fully endow the Garrett J. Hamm Fund for Bone Marrow Transplantation.
If you or your company want to help this event and the April 4 dinner/auction achieve even greater success, and/or you are interested in attending, please email rweber8118@aol.com with your name and a way to contact you.
Tickets for the game are available through ticketmaster, 414.276.4545.
March 26, 1998
Maryland State Youth Soccer Association Sponsors U.S. Women's National Team v New Zealand
and U.S. Men's National Team v Scotland in double header at RFK Stadium MAY 30, 1998
To order tickets for the USA-New Zealand / USA-Scotland doubleheader or request further information, contact MSYSA at (410) 729-2754 or (301) 498-4906
International soccer returns to Washington D.C. on Saturday, May 30 when the U.S Women's National Team meets New Zealand and the U.S. Men's National Team play Scotland at RFK Stadium. The action kicks off at 11:00 a.m. when the 1996 Olympic Champion Women's Team take the field, followed by the men's contest at 1:30 p.m. This soccer spectacle is co-hosted by the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA).The game against New Zealand will be part of the U.S. Women's preparation for next year's Women's World Cup. New Zealand, which advanced to the first Women's World Cup in 1991, but failed to qualify for the second competition, is working hard to qualify for World Cup '99.
The May 30 date with Scotland will be the last appearance for the American team on U.S. soil before departing for the World Cup in France. Scotland, which faces Brazil in the 1998 World Cup opener on June 10, is also determined to leave RFK with a victory.
The RFK doubleheader marks the first time the full U.S. women's and men's squads have ever played back-to-back international games in the same stadium. American fans unable to follow their team to France '98 won't want to miss the only chance to see the U.S. men play in Washington D.C. this year; women's soccer supporters hoping for a preview of the 1999 Women's World Cup can't afford to stay home on May 30.
To guarantee an opportunity for every supporter to attend this super doubleheader, MSYSA has slashed ticket prices by as much as 50 percent. Boys and girls under 19 years of age can purchase an $18.00 ticket for just $9.00 and adult fans can order seats in the same section for $16.00. These special discount tickets can only be purchased in advance from MSYSA until May 21.
"This is the best bargain we have ever offered soccer fans in Maryland," said MSYSA president Tim Miller. "When will you ever have the chance to see two great players like Mia Hamm and Kasey Keller play on the same field for the price of one admission?" This super soccer showdown is expected to sell out well in advance. Don't wait until the last minute to buy your tickets.
Reserve your seats for the USA-New Zealand / USA-Scotland doubleheader from MSYSA today!
CHICAGO (March 18, 1998) -- U.S. Soccer President Alan I. Rothenberg has appointed a seven-person committee to take aim at the development of women's professional soccer in the United States.The Women's Professional Soccer Development Committee will analyze and develop strategies to help grow the sport in the U.S. The Committee will be charged with implementing the ground work for an eventual women's professional soccer league in the U.S., and will be monitoring the success of the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup being played in eight venues across the country.
"With the 1999 Women's World Cup on the horizon in the United States, now is the time to begin the process of developing the framework for women's professional soccer in this country," said Rothenberg, who also serves as Chairman of the Board for the Women's World Cup Organizing Committee. "The USSF is determined to create a positive environment for women's professional soccer in this country, and we will explore and prepare all proper avenues in that endeavor, with the ultimate goal being the creation of a women's professional league."
The committee includes Marla Messing, the President and Chief Operating Officer for the Women's World Cup Organizing Committee, Sunil Gulati, Major League Soccer's Deputy Commissioner; and Mary Harvey-Capobianco, who earned 27 caps in goal for the U.S. Women's National Team and won a World Cup and an Olympic gold medal.
Women's Professional Soccer Development Committee
March 3, 1998
Akers Is The Only Surprise In U.S. National Team's Roster For Algarve Cup, Portugal
U.S. National Team Prepares for China Trip
U.S. Head Coach Tony DiCicco will take 24 players to the ARCO Olympic Training Center for camp on Jan. 7, 1998 and choose an 18 player squad from them before departing for China on Jan. 12. The training camp will be conducted concurrently with the U.S. Under-20 National Team, bringing 48 of the United States top soccer players to San Diego, CA.
Revised Game Schedule Announced for 1998 China Tournament
The winner of the China tournament will be decided on points, 3 for a win, 1 for a tie, and 0 for a loss. The first tie breaker is goal difference, followed by greater number of goals scored and head-to-head results.
United States National Team Training Camp Roster
ARCO Olympic Training Center, San Deigo, CA
| No. | Player | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | DOB | Hometown | College | Caps/Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scurry, Briana | G | 5-8 | 144 | 9/7/71 | Dayton, MN | UMass | 59 |
| 2 | Fair, Lorrie | D | 5-3 | 125 | 8/5/78 | Los Altos, CA | UNC | 20/0 |
| 3 | Pearce, Christie | D | 5-6 | 140 | 6/24/75 | Point Pleasant, NJ | Monmouth | 18/2 |
| 4 | Overbeck, Carla | D | 5-7 | 125 | 5/9/69 | Chapel Hill, NC | UNC | 105/7 |
| 5 | Roberts, Tiffany | M | 5-4 | 125 | 5/5/77 | San Ramon, CA | UNC | 57/6 |
| 6 | Chastain, Brandi | D | 5-7 | 130 | 7/21/68 | San Jose, CA | Santa Clara | 55/11 |
| 7 | Whalen, Sara | D | 5-5 | 130 | 4/28/76 | Greenlawn, NY | UConn | 7/0 |
| 8 | MacMillan, Shannon | M | 5-5 | 130 | 10/7/74 | Escondido, CA | Portland | 39/13 |
| 9 | Hamm, Mia | F | 5-5 | 125 | 3/17/72 | Chapel Hill, NC | UNC | 136/81 |
| 10 | Akers, Michelle | M | 5-10 | 150 | 2/1/66 | Oviedo, FL | Central FL | 111/93 |
| 11 | Foudy, Julie | M | 5-6 | 130 | 1/23/71 | Mission Viejo, CA | Stanford | 114/21 |
| 12 | Parlow, Cindy | F | 5-11 | 145 | 5/8/78 | Memphis, TN | UNC | 29/14 |
| 13 | Lilly, Kristine | M | 5-4 | 130 | 7/22/71 | Wilton, CT | UNC | 139/53 |
| 14 | Fawcett, Joy | D | 5-5 | 130 | 2/8/68 | Huntington Beach, CA | UC Berkley | 102/15 |
| 15 | Venturini, Tisha | M | 5-6 | 130 | 3/3/73 | Modesto, CA | UNC | 88/32 |
| 16 | Milbrett, Tiffeny | F | 5-2 | 125 | 10/23/72 | Portland, OR | Portland | 82/33 |
| 17 | Confer, Robin | F | 5-8 | 125 | 2/21/76 | Clearwater, FL | UNC | 5/1 |
| 18 | Beene, Lakeysia | G | 5-8 | 140 | 3/8/78 | Gold River, CA | Notre Dame | 0 |
| 18 | Mead, Jen | G | 5-10 | 160 | 6/13/72 | Raynham, MA | Providence/GMU | 6 |
| 19 | Sobrero, Kate | D | 5-9 | 145 | 8/23/76 | Bloomfield Hills, MI | Notre Dame | 0/0 |
| 20 | Baumgardt, Justi | M | 5-8 | 135 | 7/22/75 | Fedral Way, WA | Portland | 10/2 |
| 21 | Keller, Debbie | F | 5-4 | 130 | 3/24/75 | Naperville, IL | UNC | 23/4 |
| 22 | Schwoy, Laurie | M | 5-5 | 120 | 2/14/78 | Baltimore, MD | UNC | 3/0 |
| 24 | Ducar, Tracy | G | 5-7 | 130 | 6/18/73 | N. Andover, MA | UNC | 14 |
TEAM STAFF:
BRAZIL DEFEATS U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM, 1-0, IN SÃO PAULO
Sãn Paulo, Brazil - Brazil got a 20th minute goal from forward Roseli and held off a furious late-game rally by the Americans to defeat the U.S. Women's National Team, 1-0, at Canindé Stadium. A visibly fatigued U.S. team was victimized by a festival of one-touch passes and artful dribbles from the skillful Brazilians, who out-shot the USA 10-3 in the first half, on a field wet from pre-game showers.U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM GAME REPORT"Today, Brazil defeated the United States for the first time ever," said U.S. Head Coach Tony DiCicco. "Now, they know it can be done. And that's dangerous for the future."
It was the first victory ever for Brazil over the United States in eight games dating back to 1986. The over 3,000 fans were delighted by the Brazilian team which consistently beat the U.S. midfield one-on-one in the first half, as Roseli and Pretinha danced their way through the American defense to create chances. Brazil started with a flurry of four dangerous shots in the first seven minutes, all from Roseli, who broke the deadlock in the 20th minute when she ran onto a long pass from Nene and volleyed the bouncing ball past U.S. goalkeeper Tracy Ducar from 15 yards out. It was the fourth consecutive match in which Brazil had taken a lead on the U.S., but the first time that the South Americans were able to hold on to it.
The U.S. also went down a goal on Thursday in Taubaté, but scored twice in the second half to win the first game of the two-game series, 2-1. The U.S. also rallied twice during games in Campinas, Brazil, in 1996.
DiCicco began pulling his tired starters in the 57th minute when midfielder Kristi Devert and Thori Staples entered the game for Mia Hamm and Tiffeny Milbrett, as outside midfielders Kristine Lilly and Shannon MacMillan moved to the forward positions and gave the Americans a spark. The U.S. dominated the game territorially in the final 45 minutes, with Lilly taking half of the USA's 12 second-half shots.
"The U.S. played very poor first halves in both games," said DiCicco. "We pulled out the first one, but you can't come out flat and expect to win all the time, especially against a team as talented as Brazil. We played better in the second half, and we're unlucky not to tie the game, or even win, but we didn't display even close to our best game today."
The U.S. had five great chances to tie the match in the last 10 minutes, the first of which came in the 80th minute when sweeper Carla Overbeck got behind the defense from a wall-pass, but shot right at Brazilian goalkeeper Maravilha.
The U.S. came close to the equalizer on two corner kicks when substitute Amanda Cromwell's bullet header was saved well by Maravilha in the 82nd minute and Brandi Chastain's header sailed over the cross bar in the 86th minute. Forward Danielle Fotopoulos, who entered the game in the 78th minute for Sara Whalen, barely missed tying the game twice in the waning moments. In the 88th minute, her hard shot from the top of the penalty box deflected off a defender and caught Maravilha wrong-footed, but the ball rolled just past the left post. Her 90th minute strike off a pivot from 16 yards slid just wide.
The game marked the first time the U.S. has gone without scoring since a 0-0 tie with China on July 23, 1996, in Miami at the Olympics, a span of 20 games. The game in São Paulo was the final match of 1997 for the U.S. Women's National Team, which compiled a record of 16-2 during the year, losing only to Brazil and Germany.
Starting defender Joy Fawcett did not play in either game after pulling her right calf muscle in training early in the week. The U.S. team now looks forward to a busy 1998, consisting of 20-24 matches in preparation for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.
| United States National Team | Brazil National Team |
|---|---|
| 0 | 1 |
| Competition: International Friendly | Venue: Canindé Stadium, São Paulo, Brazil |
| Date: December 13, 1997 | Kickoff 4:00 p.m. Local (1:00 p.m. ET) |
| Attendance: 3,000 | Weather: Rainy, Humid - 68 degrees |
Scorer: BRAZIL - Roseli (Nene) 20th minute
Lineups:
USA - Tracy Ducar (Jen Mead, 53), Carla Overbeck, Brandi Chastain, Christie Pearce, Sara Whalen (Danielle Fotopolous, 78), Julie Foudy (Amanda Cromwell, 68), Tisha Venturini (Debbie Keller, 74), Kristine Lilly, Shannon MacMillan, Tiffeny Milbrett (Thori Staples, 57), Mia Hamm (Kristi DeVert, 57).
BRAZIL - Maravilha, Elsi, Andréia, Tania, Nene (Marisa, 86), Formiga, Pretinha (Juliana, 81), Cidinha, Katia, Sissi (Valeria, 77), Roseli.
| Statistical Summary | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Shots | Saves | Corner Kicks | Fouls | Offside |
| BRAZIL | 16 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 13 |
| USA | 16 | 5 | 10 | 18 | 8 |
Misconduct Summary:
BRAZIL - Formiga (caution) 34th minute.
USA - Mia Hamm (caution) 40.
USA - Brandi Chastain (caution) 60.
U.S. NATIONAL TEAM TO BRAZIL FOR FINAL TWO MATCHES OF 1997
The U.S. team will leave Dec. 7, arriving in Sao Paulo on Dec. 8. during the heart of the Brazilian summer, with high humidity and temperatures regularly in the upper 90s. USA will play its first match in the city of Pouso Alegre in the state of Minas Gerais, about two hours from Sao Paolof at 9:15 p.m. local time (6:15 EST). They will complete the tour in Sao Paulo on Dec. 13, kicking off at 4 p.m. local time (1 p.m. EST).This tour marks the second visit to South America by the U.S. Women's Team, which competed in the Brazil Cup in January of 1996 in Campinas, Brazil. The U.S.beat Russia 8-1, and Ukraine 6-0, during the tournament, but had two tough contests with the host team coming from behind to win both games. The U.S. defeated Brazil in the first game 3-2, on a late goal by Tiffeny Milbrett. In the championship match, Milbrett equalized for the U.S. and regulation time ended with the game tied at 1-1. The Americans won the match when now-retired goalkeeper Mary Harvey saved two Brazilian penalty kicks in the shootout. The USA is 5-0-1 lifetime against Brazil, picking up two wins on the Road to Sweden Tour in May of 1995.
The U.S. will be without starting goalkeeper Briana Scurry, who was given the trip off by Head Coach Tony DiCicco. Tracy Noonan will take over in the U.S. nets with Jen Mead as the backup goalkeeper. The only other starting player from the Olympic team not on the Brazil roster is Michelle Akers, who has limited her international travel due to her ongoing battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Akers and Scurry will re-join the team for a planned training camp in January.
Brazil is a strong favorite to qualify for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup from the South America Qualifying Tournament which will be held in March of 1998 in Mar de Plats, Argentina. Brazil was the lone South American representative at both the 1991 Women's World Cup in China and the 1995 Women's World Cup in Sweden. FIFA has awarded South America 1.5 berths for the 1999 Women's World Cup, meaning that the second place team in South American will play-off against the third place team in the CONCACAF region for a final World Cup spot. Argentina is considered the favorite to earn the play-off berth.
The University of Connecticut's Sara Whalen is the only player who competed in college this season to be included on the roster. Connecticut plays for a berth in the NCAA Final Four this weekend. Defender Joy Fawcett, who is head coach at UCLA, and defender Brandi Chastain, who is the assistant coach at Santa Clara, also have NCAA quarterfinal playoff matches this weekend. All three players will join the U.S. team a day late, after the completion of the NCAA Women's Soccer Championships on Dec. 7.
Game Schedule
USA vs. Brazil -- Thursday, Dec. 11 in Pouso Alegre (6:15 p.m EST)
USA vs. Brazil -- Saturday, Dec. 13 in Sao Paulo (1 p.m. EST)
| No. | Player | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | DOB | Hometown | College | Caps/Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ducar, Tracy | G | 5-7 | 130 | 6/18/73 | N. Andover, Mass | UNC | 12 |
| 2 | Staples, Thori | D | 5-8 | 140 | 4/17/74 | Joppatowne, Md. | NC State | 51/0 |
| 3 | Pearce, Christie | D | 5-6 | 140 | 6/24/75 | Point Pleasant, NJ | Monmouth | 16/2 |
| 4 | Overbeck, Carla | D | 5-7 | 125 | 6/9/69 | Chapel Hill, NC | UNC | 103/7 |
| 5 | Whalen, Sara | D | 5-5 | 130 | 4/28/76 | Greenlawn, NY | UConn | 5/9 |
| 6 | Chastain, Brandi | D | 5-7 | 130 | 7/21/68 | San Jose, CA | Santa Clara | 53/11 |
| 7 | DeVert, Kristi | M | 5-0 | 110 | 3/14/73 | Petaluma, CA | Pepperdine | 3/1 |
| 8 | MacMillan, Shannon | M | 5-5 | 130 | 10/7/74 | Escondido, CA | Portland | 37/13 |
| 9 | Hamm, Mia | F | 5-5 | 125 | 3/17/72 | Chaple Hill, NC | UNC | 134/80 |
| 10 | Foudy, Julie | M | 5-6 | 130 | 1/23/71 | Mission Viejo, CA | Stanford | 112/20 |
| 13 | Lilly, Kristine | M | 5-4 | 130 | 7/22/71 | Wilton, CT | UNC | 137/53 |
| 14 | Fawcett, Joy | D | 5-5 | 130 | 2/8/68 | Huntington Beach, CA | UC Berkley | 102/15 |
| 15 | Venturini, Tisha | M | 5-6 | 130 | 3/3/73 | Modesto, CA | UNC | 86/32 |
| 16 | Milbrett, Tiffeny | F | 5-2 | 125 | 10/23/72 | Portland, OR | Portland | 80/33 |
| 18 | Mead, Jen | G | 5-10 | 160 | 6/13/72 | Raynham, MA | Providence/GMU | 4 |
| 19 | Cromwell, Amanda | M | 5-7 | 145 | 6/15/70 | Annandale, VA | Virgina | 48/1 |
| 20 | Fotopoulos, Danielle | F | 5-10 | 165 | 3/24/76 | Almonte Springs, FL | Florida | 7/4 |
| 21 | Keller, Debbie | F | 5-4 | 130 | 3/24/75 | Naperville, IL | UNC | 21/4 |
TEAM STAFF
| Head Coach: | Tony DiCicco | Wethersfield, CT |
| Asst. Coach: | Lauren Gregg | Charlottesville, VA |
| Team Administrator: | Melissa Pilgrim | Chicago, IL |
| Team Physician: | Dr. Marc Adams | Columbia, MO |
| Trainer: | Sue Hammond | Athens, OH |
| Press Officer: | Aaron Heifetz | Santa Monica, CA |
| Equipment Manager: | Devon Lawler | Cincinnati, OH |
US. National Team To Play Two Games In Sao Paulo, Brazil In December, 1997
The U.S. team will go to Sao Paulo ( third largest city in the world) to play Brazil leaving December 8. As WSW readers will know from articles published in our magazine, Sao Paulo has led the way in Brazil to promote women's soccer. Eight teams were formed this year (5 by the top professional men's clubs, and 3 by Universities), and FIFA referee Sonia Denoncourt and two women assistants officiated a men's championship game there earlier this year
| USA | SWEDEN |
|---|---|
| 3 | 1 |
| Sunday, November 2, 1997 7:00pm | |
| Finley Stadium, Davenport Field, Chattanooga, Tennessee | |
| Temperature: 65°F Cloudy, light showers | Attendance: 13,081 |
Game report by Roger Rogers
USA
Head Coach: Tony DiCicco
Assistant Coach: Lauren Gregg
| Scorer | Assist | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15. Venturini | 9. Hamm | 31 | |
| 13. Lilly | 8. MacMillan | 48 | |
| 10. Akers | 13. Lilly | 69 | |
| Substitution | |||
| Player | For | Time | |
| 15. Venturini | 12. Parlow | 31 | |
| 3. Pearce | 16. Milbrett | 71 | |
| 7. Devert | 8. MacMillan | 83 | |
| 20. Fotopolous | 9. Hamm | 83 | |
| Yellow Cards | |||
| Player | Time | ||
| 6. Chastain | 59 | ||
SWEDEN
Head Coach: Marka Domanski Lyfors
Assistant Coach: Per Hansson
Goalkeeper Coach: Häken Pernhede
| Scorer | Assist | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9. Andersson, Malin | penalty kick | 45 | |
| Substitution | |||
| Player | For | Time | |
| 16. Lija, Christen | 5. Andersson | 56 | |
| 17. Nordlund, Tina | 8. Olsson | 65 | |
| 14. Marklund, Hanna | 2. Westberg | 73 | |
| 18.< Sjogran, Therese | 11. Svensson | 79 | |
| 15. Engwall, Jenny | 9. Andersson | 86 | |
| Yellow Cards: | None | ||
The young Swedish team played a conservative, defensive game for the first 20 minutes not giving the U.S. Team a chance to open up the field or their game. Coupled with a team full of starting players who had not played together for a while, as much as a year in some cases, the U.S. had trouble connecting with each other. An outclassed Swedish team never looked threatening, and rarely risked opening up the game with any real attacking play. They were well looked after by their agile goalkeeper whose swift reactions saved them from disaster, and kept the U.S. goal scoring at an acceptable level. She was assisted by at least four of the U.S. shots hitting the posts or bar, and several other chances going astray.After the first U.S. goal the game opened up and Sweden were held in their half for most of the remaining time. They were able to avoid a shutout when they were awarded a penalty kick 8 minutes from the end of the game when Ljunberg was tripped in the area.
Lilly played another solid game and it was nice to see Akers showing us that she still has the scoring skills with an unstoppable goal from 30 yards out, off a back pass from Lilly.
The game was played in a newly opened 20,000 seat stadium in the center of Chattanooga and in spite of the rain and storms in the area 13,087 noisy and supportive fans turned out for the match. The stadium is well designed and has a media viewing area that is one of the best we have seen.
DICICCO ANNOUNCES U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER FOR GAME AGAINST SWEDEN NOV.1 IN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
U.S. National Team Head Coach Tony DiCicco announced his 20-woman roster for the USA's Nov. I clash with Sweden at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's Finley Stadium today. The match will mark the first time DiCicco has all II starters from the 1996 Olympics present since the Olympic final on August 1, 1996. The game which kicks off at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time in the brand new 20,000 seat stadium, will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Net to many parts of the country. It will be the first match ever played by the U.S. women's team in the state of Tennessee.Defender Joy Fawcett, who took time off after the Olympics to have her second child, will return to international soccer. Forward Michelle Akers, the USA's all-time leading scorer, who took a year off following the Olympics to rest and rehabilitate while fighting her winning battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, will play her first international match since the Olympics.
Memphis, Tennessee native Cindy Parlow, the youngest player on the 1996 Olympic Team, is on the U.S. roster for the match. She will become the first player ever to play for the national team during the college season and then return to her university team for the remainder of the collegiate campaign. Parlow, a junior at the University of North Carolina will join the U.S. team the night before the match and return immediately after the game. U.N.C. plays Duke on Oct . 30 in Durham, N.C. and then finishes Atlantic Coast Conference action on Nov. 2 against Virginia in Charlottesville.
The match marks the return of Danielle Fotopoulos, the NCAADivision I leading scorer during the 1995 and 1996 seasons. She tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee while training with the U.S. during the Nike Victory Tour in April and red-shirted this season at the University of Florida. DiCicco has also called in high school senior Danielle Borgman from Hammer F.C. and McAuley High School in Cincinnati. The U.S. under-I 7 National Team pool player has verbally committed to attend U.N.C. next Fall.
Sweden is coming off a strong performance at the European Championships in July, losing I -0 in the semifinals to eventual champion Germany. The Swedes have jumped out to a fine start in qualifying for the 1999 Women's World Cup, defeating Iceland, 3-1, and Ukraine, 3-2, to sit atop the Group I standings.
USA's Roster for the Sweden Match
| No. | Player | Pos. | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Scurry, Briana | G | Dayton, MN |
| 2. | Staples, Thori | D | Joppatown, MD |
| 3. | Pearce, Christie | D | Pt. Pleasant, NJ |
| 4. | Overbeck, Carla | D | Chapel Hill, NC |
| 5. | Stewart, Jill | D | AppleValley, MN |
| 6. | Chastain, Brandi | D | San Jose, CA |
| 7. | De Vert, Kristi | M | Petaluma, CA |
| 8. | MacMillan, Shannon | M | Escondido, CA |
| 9. | Hamm, Mia | F | Chapel Hill, NC |
| 10. | Akers, Michelle | F | Oviedo, FL |
| 11. | Foudy, Julie | M | Mission Viejo, CA |
| 12. | Parlow, Cindy | F | Memphis, TN |
| 13. | Lilly, Kristine | M | Wilton, CT |
| 14. | Fawcett, Joy | D | Huntington Beach, CA |
| 15. | Venturini, Tisha | M | Modesto, CA |
| 16. | Milbrett, Tiffeny | F | Portland, OR |
| 17. | Borgman, Danielle | M | Cincinnati, OH |
| 19. | Cromwell, Amanda | F | Annandale, VA |
| 20. | Fotopoulos, Danielle | F | Allamonte Spr., FL |
| 24. | Ducar, Tracy | G | N. Andover, MA |
TEAM STAFF:
Head Coach:Tony DiCicco, Wethersfield, CT
Asst. Coach:Lauren Gregg, Charlottesville, VA
Sweden's Roster For Trip To Tennesee For USA Game November,1 1997
Keepers: Caroline Joensson, Malmoe FF, Ulrika Karlsson, Baelinge IF, Eva Larsson, Aelvsjo AIK
Defenders: Kristin Bengsson, Oexabaeck/Mark IF, Sara Call, Baelinge IF, Asa Loenqvist, Aelvsjo AIK, Hanna Marklund, Sunnana SK, Cecilia Sandell, Aelvsjo AIK, Jane Toernqvist, Hammarby IF, Karolina Westberg, Malmoe FF.
Midfielders/Forwards: Anna Andersson, Gideonsbergs IF, Malin Andersson, Aelvsjo AIK, Jenny Engwall, Malmoe FF, Christin Lilja, Lotorps IF, Hanna Ljungberg, Sunnana SK, Tina Nordlund, Umea IK, Salina Olsson, Djugardens IF, Anna Pohjanen, Sunnana SK, Therese Sjoegran, Wae IF, Victtoria Svensson, Jitex BK/JG 93.
USA-Sweden in Chattanooga the October 30 at 12.30 pm. U.S. Training site.
USA-Sweden in Chattanooga the November 1 at 12.30 Finley Stadium.
U.S. Women's Team Controls Second Game
| Germany | USA |
|---|---|
| 0 | 3 |
| Sunday, October 12,1997 | 5.00 am ET (11.00am German) |
| Salzgitter Stadium, Salzgitter-See, Germany | |
| Attendance: 4,500 | |
Head Coach: Tony DiCicco
Assistant Coach: Lauren Gregg
| Scorer | Time |
|---|---|
| 9. Hamm | 33 |
| 16. Milbrett | 42 |
| 9. Hamm | 73 |
GERMANY
Head Coach: Tina Theune-Meyer
Asst. Coach: Sylvia Neid
Game report by Rainer Hennies
USA played an almost perfect game and controlled the match. Hamm gave an outstanding performance.
Germany Defeats U.S. Women's Team, 3-1, In Driving Rain
European Champions Snap USA's 30-Game Unbeaten Streak
| Germany | USA |
|---|---|
| 3 | 1 |
| Thursday, October 9,1997 | 1.00 pm ET (7.00pm German) |
| Duisburg-Wadau Stadium-Duisburg, Germany | |
| Windy, steady rain | Attendance: 7,050 |
USA
Head Coach: Tony DiCicco
Assistant Coach: Lauren Gregg
| Scorer | Assist | Time |
| Lilly | Venturini | 4 |
| Substitution | ||
| Player | For | Time |
| Devert, Kristi | Keller | 60 |
| Conners, Kerry | Staples | 60 |
| Cromwell. Amanda | Venturini | 71 |
| Demko. Michelle | Milbrett | 77 |
| Stewart, Jill | Pearce | 83 |
| Yellow Cards | ||
| Staples | 45th min | |
| Venturini | 68 |
GERMANY
Head Coach: Tina Theune-Meyer
Asst. Coach: Sylvia Neid
| Scorer | Assist | Time | |
| Smisek | Wunderlich, Tina | 27 | |
| Wunderlich, Pia | unassisted | 52 | |
| Prinz, Birgit | Schäfer | 74 | |
| Substitution | |||
| Player | For | Time | |
| Prinz, Birgit | Voss | 46 | |
| Fuss, Sonja | Wunderlich,Tina | 46 | |
| Schäfer, Carmen | Smisek | 59 | |
| Müller, Nicole | Meyer | 80 | |
| von Lanken, Claudia | Rottenberg | 80 | |
| Yellow Cards: None | |||
Referees:
Referee: Susann Lampe (Germany)
Asst. Referee: Ulrike Brinkmann (Germany)
Asst. Referee: Elke Fielenbach (Germany)
Game Report by Aaron Heifetz
Germany battled back after falling behind early to score three unanswered goals and defeat the U.S. Women's National Team, 3-1, in front of 7,050 vocal fans at Duisburg-Wedau Stadium.Rain began to fall at the opening whistle and got steadily stronger throughout the match, but the wet conditions did nothing to dampen the spirits of over 7.000 Germans who came out to support the reigning European Champions. Germany won its fourth continental title last July, defeating Italy, 2-0, for the championship. The German team rewarded the fans who braved the foul weather with an impressive display of powerful and skillful soccer, but early on it seemed as if the USA might run away with the game.
The U.S. scored just four minutes into the match when Shannon MacMillan's low corner-kick skipped through the penalty box to Tisha Venturini, who slid to touch the ball back to Kristine Lilly for an easy tap in from close range.
After playing a tentative 15 minutes in which the U.S. had several chances to increase its lead, the Germans gained rhythm and confidence and were rewarded with a beautiful goal in the 27th minute. A German pass on the right flank slipped through the legs of Kristine Lilly and eluded a sliding Christie Pearce, allowing Tina Wunderlich to break free behind the U.S. defense. Her perfect bending cross found Sandra Smisek for a spectacular diving header that shot into the lower right corner past U.S. goalkeeper Briana Scurry.
The Germans showed great composure on the ball to combat the USA's defensive pressure and the Americans struggled to break through the organized German back line, anchored by perhaps the best central defense in the world in sweeper Steffi Jones and stopper Doris Fitschen.
Germany got the winner in the 52nd minute when a poorly cleared ball from a corner-kick went strait to Pia Wunderlich at the top of the penalty box. Her skidding shot through traffic found the left corner as Scurry lost her footing going for the ball.
With Germany content to sit on its lead, the second half saw the U.S. control the majority of possession, but each attack died under the weight of the skillful, tough and mobile German defense. It was the vaunted German counter-attack that put the Americans away as two substitutes combined on the third goal. A quick strike down the right flank found Carmen Schafer one-on-one with sweeper Carla Overbeck. She squared the ball to a wide open Birgit Prinz, the Offensive MVP of the 1997 European Championships, and the 20-year old buried her easy shot into the left corner from 12 yards out.
Overbeck, the U.S. Captain who had not played for the national team in over a year, contributed a solid match in her first game since the Olympics after taking time off to have a baby boy on Aug. 14, 1997.
U.S. Head Coach Tony DiCicco emptied his bench in the second half, giving first caps to Kristi Devert, Jill Stewart and Michelle Demko, and a fourth cap to Kerry Conners.
"The better team won tonight," said DiCicco. "We had some early chances that we didn't put away and Germany made us pay. We have a proud team and they are very disappointed with the result. They have huge hearts, but perhaps we played too much with our hearts and not enough with our minds."
The U.S. could not connect its passes in the offensive third, and on the end of each dangerous service, there was a German waiting to knock the ball away from danger.
The loss snaps the USA's 30-game unbeaten streak dating back to a 2-1 loss to Norway on Feb. 4, 1996, in Jacksonville, Fla. The only blemish during the streak was a 0-0 tie with China in Miami during group play at the 1996 Olympics.
"I am very pleased with our performance," said German Head Coach Tina Theune-Meyer. "We have a young team and I'm very optimistic about our preparations for the 1999 World Cup in the United States. I know the Americans were missing some key players today and that they were a bit tired from travel, so I am looking forward to an even more difficult match on Sunday."
Other:The U.S. Women had not allowed three goals in a match since June 6, 1995, in a 3-3 tie with China at the 1995 Women's World Cup in Sweden.
U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM DEFEATS UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD
USA HEADS TO GERMANY FOR TWO MATCHES WITH EUROPEAN CHAMPS
Sell-Out Crowd of 3, 612 Watches Akers and Milbrett Score in Exhibition Win
Report By Aaron Heifetz
HARTFORD,Conn. (Thursday 2, 1997) : Two second-half goals gave the U.S. Women's National Team a 2-0 victory over the University of Hartford in front of sold-out crowd of 3, 612 at Yousuf Al-Mazook Stadium, the largest crowd ever to watch a soccer game at Hartford, men or women. The match served as a tune-up before the USA departs for Germany on Monday to play two matches against the European champions, on Oct. 9 in Duisburg and Oct. 12 in Salzgitter.
With the stadium stands packed and fans standing five-deep behind retaining ropes at both ends of the field, Hartford put forth a stellar defensive effort to frustrate the U.S. attack. The national team out-shot the Hawks 22-0 and U.S. goalkeepers Briana Scurry and Tracy Ducar did not handle a ball during the game.
The national team played a sloppy first 30 minutes as Hartford, spurred on by a boisterous crowd and electric atmosphere, managed to ward off wave after wave of U.S. attacks.
The USA finally found a rhythm at the end of the first half, but repeated shots flew over the cross bar or right at Hartford goalkeeper Ingrid Sternhoff, who played an excellent match in making 11 saves. Fielding a starting lineup of seven Scandinavian imports, the Hawks showed remarkable composure under the U.S. pressure.
U.S. forward Mia Hamm, who received rough treatment from the Hartford defenders all night, broke free on the 67th minute, but Stine Bohle took Hamm down from behind the penalty box. Sternhoff, a reserve goalkeeper for the Norwegian National Team, made a fantastic stop on Michelle Akers penalty kick, diving to her right to push away the driven shot. Kristine Lilly's follow up went just wide left.
The Americans got behind the Hartford defense on the flanks on numerous occasions, but their crosses found penalty box jammed with Hawk defenders. The U.S. finally broke Hartford's bunker on a set play when Akers rose above the defense to head in Hamm's corner kick in the 77th minute. Sternhoff got a piece to the bullet header, but could only push the ball into the roof of the net.
The U.S. added a second goal in the final minute when Lilly was fouled on the right flank. Shannon MacMillan took the free-kick and hit a low, driven cross into the middle. A Slashing Tiffeny Milbrett met the ball on the volley and spun it into the left corner.
The USA's trip to Germany mark the first time the women's national team will play in Europe since the 1995 World Cup in Sweden. After returning to the United States, the U.S. team will take two weeks off before regrouping in Chattanooga, Tennessee to prepare for a Nov. 1 game against Sweden. The match at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's Finley Stadium will kickoff at 12:30 p.m. ET and be broadcast live on Fox Sports Net to many parts of the country.
U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM GAME REPORT
| U.S. National Team vs. University of Hartford | |
|---|---|
| Venue: Yousuf Al-Mazook Stadium, West Hartford, Connecticut | |
| Date: October 2, 1997, 7 p.m. | Competition: Exhibition |
| Attendance: 3, 612 | Weather: Cool, Clear 53 degrees |
| Scoring Summary: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | Final | ||
| USA | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| UoH | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Scoring
USA: Michelle Akers (Mia Hamm): 77th minute.
Tiffeny Millbrett (Shannon MacMillian): 90
Lineups:
USA: Briana Scurry, Amanda Cromwell, Christie Pearce, Thori Staples (Kristi DeVert, 70), Shannon Mac Millan, Michelle Akers (Kerry Connors, 79), Julie Foudy, Kristine Lilly, Debbie Keller (Tisha Venturini, 46), Tiffeny Milbrett, Mia Hamm.
UoH: Ingrid Sternhoff, Jamie Fountain, Marika Karlsson, Stine Bohle, Brenda Reter, Ulla Knudsen, Sandra Doreleijers, Eva Gussias, Camille Sparkes, Maria Kun, Laurie Duhrkoop. SUBS: Kate Reardon, Kerri Ferreira, Courtney Pink.
| Statistical Summary: | USA | UoH |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 22 | 0 |
| Saves | 0 | 11 |
| Corner Kicks | 7 | 7 |
| Fouls | 7 | 21 |
| Offside | 4 | 3 |
Misconduct Summary:
UoH: Knudsen (caution),13th minute.
UoH: Bohle (caution), 59
UoH: Doreleijers (caution) 75
Officials:
Dicicco Announces National Team Roster For Germany Tour
The team will train in Hartford, Connecticut September 28 until departure October 6 for Germany.Carla Overbeck (Asst. Coach at Duke University) and Michelle Akers both return to the international arena on this tour. Overbeck took time off to deliver a baby boy on August 14, and Akers spent the year conquering chronic fatigue syndrome and recovering from knee surgery. Danielle Fotopoulos returns after surgery on May 8 for torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in her right knee.
Roster
Midfielder Kerry Connors will attend Hartford Camp and will be an alternate for Germany trip.
U-20 TEAM OFF TO CAMP IN CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
Head Coach Gregg has called in 24 players including goalkeepers Lakeysia Beene, Megan Boehm and Siri Mullinix; defenders Ronnie Fair, Lorrie Fair, Jen Grubb, Kelly Lindsey, Kate Sobrero, and Thori Staples; midfielders Jenny Benson, Shannon Boxx, Kara Brown, Alison Burpee, Michelle French, Rebekah McDowell,Jaimee Ricker, Laurie Schwoy, Jennifer Tietjen, and Kristie Whelchel; and forwards Meotis Erickson, Meredith Florance, Reggie Holan, Angela Hucles and Tara Koleski. May 27 the team will play Australia's U-21 National Team, and will be preparing and competing for places in the team that plays in the 1997 Nordic Cup taking place August 3-10. Gregg will be allowed to include two overage players, but born after January 1, 1973, and is considering Kate Sobrero, and Thori Staples who meet those requirements.
US VISITS GERMANY IN OCTOBER
The U.S. National Team will play Germany in Duisberg, Germany on October 9, 1997 followed by a game in Salzgitter on the 12th.This will be an interesting meeting for both teams. Germany is a rebuilt team under its new coach Tina Theune-Meyer. As an assistant coach she spent a lot of time studying the U.S. team before 1991, and could be considered a disciple of Dorrance. The German Team has been playing well, with several promising young members and some changes in their style of play. They promise to be a challenging team for the European Championship this year, especially since teams like Norway have been unwilling or unable to move on from the singular style of play that brought them such success in the past.
SO YOU THINK YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM? National Women's Soccer Festival in August
Women's Soccer Festival '97 We have good news for those who have written asking how one can get on the National Team. A Soccer Festival is to be held at Blaine, Minnesota with the U.S. National Team, U.S. U-17 National Team, the four regional amateur senior teams, plus the four regional U-19 teams. National Coaches Tony DiCicco and April Heinrichs will be there. It is a joint venture of the U.S. Amateur Soccer Association and the U.S. Soccer Federation giving Coach DiCicco a chance to see the best players in the United States in one place and over a wide age span. It will take the place of the Olympic Festival and DiCicco plans for it to be an annual event with at least one foreign country bringing its Senior National and U-17 National team in future years.Plans are to make it a complete women's soccer festival with coaching clinics etc. The tournament would be divided into two groups with the group winners playing each other.
The way to be seen is to get on to your State Team, and then be chosen for your regional team. If you are serious about your game and need information call the U.S. Amateur Soccer Assn. at 1-800-867-2945, or the U.S. Youth Soccer Assn. At 1-800-4-SOCCER.
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