USL at the Women’s World Cup >>
Monday, September 10, 2007
The United States, currently ranked number one in the FIFA World Rankings, kicks off its tournament Tuesday when they take on fifth-ranked North Korea in Chengdu. The other Group B match features third-ranked Sweden and Nigeria, ranked 24.
The only two meetings between the USA and North Korea came at the last two Women’s World Cups when the teams squared off in group play. A look at the score lines, both 3-0 U.S. wins, is a bit deceiving. In 1999 in Boston, the match was tied 0-0 at halftime before Shannon MacMillan scored once and Tisha Venturini bagged two goals. In 2003, the USA controlled most of the game, but North Korea certainly had good chances and forced goalkeeper Briana Scurry in several great saves, including one early in the match that could have changed the complexion of the game had it gone in.
North Korea has certainly become a stronger side since 2003, and Ryan has called them “possibly the most mobile team” in the tournament, meaning the game will likely be a wide-open attacking affair. The USA could have as many as five players in the starting lineup who will be playing their first-ever Women’s World Cup match, and those youngsters ability to step up to the enormity of the moment will go a long way in determining the team’s success.
The entire U.S. team is healthy and ready for selection for the game, which will be the 25th match the U.S. women have played all-time in Women’s World Cup play.
The North Koreans won the Asian Women’s Championships in 2001 and 2003, dethroning seven-time champion China (now eight-time champs after winning the 2006 Asian Women’s Cup), but fell in the semifinal of the 2006 Asian Women’s Cup to China, 1-0 … In that loss to China, North Korea lost three players to suspension for the all-important third-place match against Japan (due to a post-game brawl in which several players attacked the referee), but rallied to defeat Japan, 3-2, to earn its WWC berth … North Korea also beat Japan, this time for the gold medal, at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar last December … North Korea’s first-ever match in a Women’s World Cup came in 1999 when they lost to Nigeria, 2-1, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. … North Korea would avenge that defeat at the 2003 Women’s World Cup in Philadelphia, Pa., downing Nigeria, 3-0 … The Koreans may have an influx of young talent on their team for their 2007 Women’s World Cup after they won the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Championship in Russia in resounding fashion, defeating China 5-0 in the Final
Studio 90 on FSC and Online
“Studio 90: China ’07,” a special 30-minute show previewing the U.S. Women’s National Team’s participation in the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup in China, debuts on Fox Soccer Channel on Monday, Sept. 10 at 8 p.m. ET on the eve of the USA’s opening match in the WWC. It will be shown again that night at 11 p.m. ET and re-aired four more times during the week. The second show on the WNT produced for FSC by the U.S. Soccer Communications Department, “Studio 90: China’07” has several special features. The show includes a behind-the-scenes look at a Day in the Life of star forward Abby Wambach, highlights of the team’s Send Off-Series matches in advance of the Women’s World Cup, and an introduction of the U.S. Women’s World Cup Team by position. In addition, join young forward Heather O’Reilly for a feature taped last January in China at the Four Nations Tournament. And finally, you don’t want to miss the full glory of “Jim Mike, PR Man” as he shares his “revolutionary” ideas with the U.S. players (whether they like it or not) to help promote women’s soccer in America.
STUDIO 90: CHINA ‘07 IS HERE: It’s has begun. Studio 90: China ’07, the web version, already has one episode up on ussoccer.com with more to come. Check out the first show for an interview with U.S. forward Heather O’Reilly, who is about to play in her first Women’s World Cup, as well as the always popular Back Four Quiz.
Watch Studio 90 [+]
