Sept. 13, 2000
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA -
OLYMPIC SOCCER SET TO BEGIN UNDER BLUE SKIES
The U.S. team awoke this morning to its first sunny day since arriving in
Australia on Sept. 6, with metallic blues skies and a brisk wind welcoming
the first games of the 2000 Olympic Soccer Tournament. The Sweden-Brazil
women's match in Melbourne will kick off at the same time as the
Australia-Germany women's game in Canberra (5:30 p.m. local time) and the
Olympics will be underway. The U.S. women's team will be in the stands to
watch part of the nightcap of the doubleheader at the Melbourne Cricket
Ground as the host Olyroos take on Italy in front of 93,000 fans. The USA
had the day off from training today after conducting light, but intense
sessions the past two days. The Americans worked on fine-tuning some set
plays, some finishing and some functional training, but all are anxious to
play someone other than their teammates. Yesterday's training at the
Anderson Oval at the Port Melbourne Soccer Club was the first at which the
plays could discard their sweats and beanies as the temperature climbed into
the low 60s, perhaps a preview of the clear and crisp day to follow. The
Olyroos - Australia's U-23 Olympic side - will enter a cauldron of pressure
tonight in front of a packed MCG. The young Aussies have appeared loose and
ready around the hotel, but clearly know that they have their work cut out
for them against the young stars of the Serie "A", as witnessed by an
elevator conversation between U.S. goalkeeper coach David Vanole one
soft-spoken Aussie player:
Vanole: "Big game for you guys tomorrow, huh?"
Olyroo: "Yeah."
Vanole: "You guys nervous?"
Olyroo: "Yeah."
HOTEL CINEPLEX
With the cold weather, and an emphasis on rest and relaxation over shopping
and sightseeing, the U.S. players have watched many, many movies on the VCR
in the player's lounge over the past week. Some of the favorite selections:
Gladiator, Seven, American Pie, Usual Suspects, Face-Off, Arlington Road,
Three Kings, Life is Beautiful, American History X, Matrix and The American
President. Some reviews:
On American History X:
"A disturbing topic, but very well acted."
Brandi Chastain - Defender, U.S. Women's Olympic Soccer Team
On Arlington Road:
"Unpredictable: eerie: ªa roller-coaster ride."
Mia Hamm - Forward, U.S. Women's Olympic Soccer Team
On Gladiator:
"Intense: Great fight scenes."
Carla Overbeck - Defender, U.S. Women's Olympic Soccer Team
FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARRIVE
The family and friends of the U.S. Olympic Women's Soccer Team players
arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday and Wednesday, an 80-strong contingent sure
to make their share of noise in the mammoth MCG. Many of the players spent
several hours in the afternoon with their families strolling the streets of
Melbourne or sitting and chatting in the hotel lobby.
PEARCES' MAKE IT THROUGH CUSTOMS
The parents of U.S. defender Christie Pearce, making their first trip outside
the United States, arrived in Australia without visas on Monday, unaware that
they needed them to gain admission into Australia. After some confusion at
the airport, the Pearce's were granted electronic visas and their airline was
fined $15,000, five grand each for her mom, dad and brother, for letting them
board the plane in Newark, N.J. without visas.
SWAMI BRANDI
Many of the U.S. players have been doing daily yoga sessions to videotapes
that Brandi Chastain brought to Australia at the request of Kate Sobrero.
During the last 20-minutes sessions, at which as many as half the team and a
few staff members have taken part, the U.S. players work on stretching,
relaxation and breathing techniques.
MJ AT THE MCG
Perhaps the most famous female U.S. Olympian, Marion Jones, is in Melbourne
preparing for her assault on five gold medals when the track and field
competition begins next week, and may take in the U.S. women's game vs.
Norway on Thursday. There is no truth to the rumor that the Americans would
suit up Marion and try to flight a few long balls over the top of the
Norwegian defense for her to run on to.
U.S. WOMEN ON THE TODAY SHOW
U.S. players Brandi Chastain, Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Kristine Lilly and Carla
Overbeck will appear on the Today Show on Wednesday morning in the United
States at around 8:35 a.m., speaking with Katie Couric in Sydney via
satellite. Numerous U.S. players also taped Video Postcards for their
friends and family back home that won't make it Down Under, which will be
aired during the next two weeks on the Today Show.
NORWAY ARRIVES
The Norwegian Women's National Team checked into the "Olympic Football Hotel"
here on Monday, the last of the eight who will open their tournament at the
MCG on Wednesday and Thursday. Already here were the Australian, Italian,
Moroccan and Chilean men's teams, as well as the Brazilian and Swedish
women's teams.
"THE G"
On the U.S. players got their first look at the inside of the famed Melbourne
Cricket Ground on Tuesday as they were given a guide tour of the facilities.
The players walked the pitch, took photos and then departed for training at
another ground. The U.S. was scheduled for a short training at the MCG, but
the rains forced organizers to cancel all trainings. The sun and wind has
been a boon for the field maintenance crews, who hope the good weather will
dry out the pitch in preparation for the games tonight. The MCG was built
for the 1956 Olympic Games, but since has been expanded and remodeled
considerably. With the soccer field set on a field big enough for an Aussie
Rules match, the space surrounding the field is massive, meaning ball boys
and girls must get on their horses, while the dimensions will be as large as
any field for a FIFA competition.
U.S. WOMEN TO ATTEND OPENING CEREMONIES
The U.S. women will fly from Melbourne to Sydney on the morning of Sept. 15,
after facing Norway the night before, to march in the Opening Ceremonies for
the 2000 Olympics Games. The team may train in the morning before leaving
for Sydney and will return to Melbourne on the morning of the 16th, possibly
training in the afternoon, then faces China on Sept. 17 at the MCG.
INJURY REPORT:
All players are healthy and available for the USA's opening match against
Norway on Sept. 14.
LITTLE KNOW FACT:
U.S. midfielders Shannon MacMillan and Nikki Serlenga went to the same high
school in Escondido, Calif., north of San Diego, albeit at different times.
They did play on the same club team and Serlenga's mom drove MacMillan to
countless practices and games.
BUSH REPLACES PRYCE AS ALTERNATE
Defender Nandi Pryce, one of the USA's four alternates, fractured her left
tibia last week in a match against Vanderbilt while playing in just her fifth
game for UCLA as a freshman. Pryce underwent surgery to insert a steel rod
in her leg and will miss the season, but is expected back in action in about
six months. U.S. head coach April Heinrichs named forward Susan Bush,
currently a sophomore at North Carolina, to take her place on the alternate
list. Bush played in seven games in 2000 for the USA, scoring three goals
with five assists. She was also a member of the U.S. Under-21 team that won
the Nordic Cup last summer.
STAT OF NOTE:
Norway is the only team in the world that has an all-time winning record
against the USA. The Americans are 12-14-2 all-time against Norway, but have
outscored them in those matches, 45-41.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
U.S. Brandi Chastain after being asked if she was going to take anything off
during the Olympics:
"No, actually, we're all hoping to put something on (a gold medal) when this
thing is over."
A LOOK AT THE USA-NORWAY RIVALRY
The USA and Norway women's soccer rivalry is one of the oldest and most
intense in the world. The teams have met 28 times since first knocked heads
in 1987, and Norway remains the only team in the world with a winning record
against the USA. The Americans are 12-14-2 against the 1995 Women's World
Cup champions and have met Norway in several of the most historic matches in
women's soccer history. In 1991, the two teams clashed in the first-ever
Women's World Cup Final, as Michelle Akers scored both goals in the 2-1
victory. In the 1995 Women's World Cup, Norway eliminated the USA with an
emotional 1-0 victory in the semifinals at Vasteras, Sweden, and the pain
from that loss helped propel the Americans to victories at the 1996 Olympics
and 1999 Women's World Cup. The two teams met in the semifinals of the 1996
Olympics, and the USA excised some demons with a 2-1 "golden goal" victory as
Shannon MacMillan came off the bench to score the winner. The teams did not
meet at the 1999 Women's World Cup, as Norway was eliminated by China in a
5-0 drubbing, but will clash in the opening game of the Olympics as they meet
in the first round of a world championship for the first time. This will be
the amazing seventh meeting of 2000 between the two teams. Here is a look at
the first six:
Feb. 6 Norway 2-3 L Hamm, Lilly Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 12,031
The very first match under April Heinrichs sees seven players play who would
not make the Olympic team. The USA holds a 2-1 lead 80 minutes into the
game, but gives up two goals in the last 10 minutes, including an own goal
and a spectacular strike from Dagney Mellgren deep into stoppage time that
proved fatal.
Feb. 9 Norway 1-2 L Welsh Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
CLOSED DOOR
Heinrichs plays almost an entirely different lineup from the match three days
earlier. The USA has a sluggish offensive performance as the match was
played in 40-mile-an-hour winds. Hege Riise scored a spectacular goal in the
second half to give Norway the two-game sweep. Young Christie Welsh scores
one of her 11 goals in 2000 on an assist from Jena Kluegel.
March 18 Norway# 1-0 W Chastain Loul, Portugal 850
The USA wins a battle of wills in the rugged Algarve Cup championship game,
winning the tournament for the first time in six attempts. Brandi Chastain's
penalty kick in the 9th minute after Mia Hamm was fouled holds up for the
next 81 minutes as Siri Mullinix plays a spectacular game on goal.
July 16 Norway 1-0 W Milbrett Osnabrck, Germany 2,500
The team square off in the DFB Jubilee Tournament opener and a brilliant solo
effort goal from Tiffeny Milbrett, plus some stellar defensive play, gives
the USA its second 1-0 win in a row over Norway.
July 27 Norway 1-1 T Serlenga Troms¿¿, Norway 3,810
The USA's first-ever match against Norway in Norway ends in a draw after
Nikki Serlenga's 63rd minute goal equalizes. Marianne Pettersen had put
Norway ahead in just the third minute in the match played in Northern Norway,
about 120 miles north of the Arctic Circle.
July 30 Norway 1-2 L Parlow Oslo, Norway 15,762
The USA out-shoots Norway, 16-9, but Dagney Mellgren scores a great goal in
the 62nd minute and then an 81st minute own goal does the Americans in.
Cindy Parlow pulled a goal back in stoppage time, but it was too little, too
late, in front of the largest crowd ever to watch a women's soccer match in
Norway.
U.S. Olympic Women's Soccer Team Training Schedule:
The U.S. Olympic Women's Soccer Team schedule for Thursday, Sept. 14 through
Sunday, Sept. 17 is as follows. The times and sites are subject to change.
The training times and sites for the days following will be made available as
soon as they are finalized. There will be up to 30 minutes following each
training that players and coaches will be available to media. If U.S. head
coach April Heinrichs decides on closing a training, or there is a day off,
selected U.S. players will be available to the media at the team hotel at a
designated time that day.
TENTATIVE - SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Thursday, Sept. 14
5:30 p.m. USA vs. Norway - Melbourne Cricket Ground
Friday, Sept. 15
The U.S. Team will not train, but will travel to Sydney for Opening Ceremonies
Saturday, Sept. 16
3:30 p.m. Media Opportunity with selected players at Melbourne Hilton on
the Park (Lobby)
Sunday, Sept. 17
5:30 p.m. USA vs. China - Melbourne Cricket Ground
SELECTED QUOTES FROM THE CONFERENCE CALL WITH TIFFENY MILBRETT AND SHANNON
MACMILLAN:
Milbrett on goalkeeper Siri Mullinix:
"She came in not expecting to play a lot as Briana seemingly had the #1 spot
locked up, but she got injured, and Siri came on strong. She gave the best
she had and definitely earned the #1 spot. She's commanding back there. She
has a calming effect on the team, wants to take charge of the defensive
third, is a leader back there and organizes well for us."
MacMillan on the keys to the Norway match:
"We want to score early and often, so we're going to come out in our
aggressive style try to make Norway adjust to us."
Milbrett on the keys to the Norway match:
"Finishing is everything. Siri and the defense can be back there stopping
goals, but the midfielders and forwards have to put the ball in the net. But
I think good things are happening, especially at the last Brazil game. We
scored a lot of great goals."
MacMillan on the Olympics perhaps being the last tournament for the U.S.
veterans:
"That's added a little more pressure on us, knowing that it may be the last
time we get to play with some of the founding members of this team. So for
me, I want to put my heart and soul on line for them and enjoy what may be
our last tournament with them and help them finish their legacy with a gold
medal."
MacMillan on the USA preparation that included 33 matches this year:
"Right now, our main focus is on Norway. We haven't thought about whether or
not we should be tired. We believe what we've done up to this point and
we're prepared and ready. All we're looking forward to is the Norway. It's
the Olympics and we're all pumped up and ready to go. Training has been
awesome since we've been here and its been very relaxed. Everyone looks
refreshed and ready to go to it. Once that Olympic hype hits, they'll be no
stopping us."
Milbrett on the Olympics being on foreign soil:
"The 1996 Olympics was the most incredible experience to have it our own
country. In '99, it was pressure galore to have the World Cup in the States.
But having the Olympics in Australia is kind of relaxing, it's going to
allow us to focus on our game and what we need to do to win each game. We
don't have not worry about selling tickets and putting people in the stands."
MacMillan on the expectations for the team in the United States:
"Everyone wants to see us come back with the gold medal, but the expectations
of the people on the outside are never higher than the ones we place on
ourselves. We want to continue to play awesome soccer to get people excited
about our sport. Nothing beats pulling on your country's jersey and I can
guarantee our expectations are higher than anyone's and hopefully we can
follow through on that, play our best soccer, and make everyone proud."
MacMillan on the USA and Norway styles:
"Norway likes to play really direct. They pressure us and play a lot of long
balls down our throats. When it comes to the USA, we are also a high
pressure team, but we also like to keep the ball on the ground more,
especially with shorter people out there like Tiffeny. But for the most
part, it's going to be a great battle. We're going to try to nullify their
long ball game and make them play our type of soccer. It's going to be very
exciting for us because Norway is a team that respects us, but is not afraid
of us, so they come out after us. We like that challenge and are very
excited."
2000 Women's Olympic Soccer Tournament
First Round Schedule
Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane
Wednesday, Sept. 13
Sweden vs. Brazil Melbourne Group E
Australia vs. Germany Canberra Group E
Thursday, Sept. 14
USA vs. Norway Melbourne Group F
China vs. Nigeria Canberra Group F
Friday, Sept. 15
OPENING CEREMONIES
Saturday, Sept. 16
Australia vs. Sweden Sydney Group E
Germany vs. Brazil Canberra Group E
Sunday, Sept. 17
USA vs. China Melbourne Group F
Norway vs. Nigeria Canberra Group F
Tuesday, Sept. 19
Australia vs. Brazil Sydney Group E
Germany vs. Sweden Melbourne Group E
Wednesday, Sept. 20
USA vs. Nigeria Melbourne Group F
China vs. Norway Canberra Group F
Medal Rounds
Canberra, Sydney
Sunday, Sept. 24
1st E vs. 2nd F Sydney
1st F vs. 2nd E Canberra
Thursday, Sept. 28
Bronze Medal Match Sydney
Gold Medal Match Sydney
