Do or die for U.S.

Posted: Thursday, July 01, 1999

   LANDOVER, Md. -- There were few anxious moments for the American team in the first round of the Women's World Cup. Now, anxiety is a frequent companion.

   While the Americans aren't exactly nervous wrecks as they prepare for Thursday's quarterfinals game with Germany -- the loser goes home, the victor meets the winner of Brazil-Nigeria in the semifinals on July 4 -- there's an edge that didn't exist during their first-round sweep.

   ''When teams get to the knockout rounds, they know one mistake can be the difference,'' said Shannon MacMillan, whose goal and two assists against North Korea catapulted the United States into the second round. ''So it's not as relaxed as a three-game round-robin.

   ''You're also facing the better teams as you move on. You have to step up the level of play.''

   Coach Tony DiCicco fully expects his players will do that. Unlike in men's play, in which a close game between the United States and Germany is considered a victory for the Americans, the American women are 8-3-1 against the Germans. The Americans are well-rested and relatively injury free, although star forward Mia Hamm has been practicing with an ice bag on her hamstring.

   ''Just a precautionary measure,'' DiCicco said. ''We have some players who have some bruises and are a little beat up. At this point in the tournament, if any of them feel anything, we put some ice on it.''

   The way they joke with each other and are at ease with the media and fans hasn't changed as the stakes get higher. The players are enjoying their time in the spotlight.

   But, to a woman, the American veterans readily mention the memory of the 1995 World Cup loss to Norway in the semifinals. The fact they keep that defeat alive in their minds -- and take it with them when they go onto the field -- is proof, they claim, that they take their mission very seriously.

   ''That was the worst feeling I've ever had in soccer and I will never forget it,'' Michelle Akers said. ''There's a difference between being focused and being centered. We were distracted in some ways in '95, but at gametime we were focused on the task. But we were not centered, balanced, able to respond to what was going on during the game. You have to be centered to take everything that comes at you and play your level of ball.''

   So the anxiety players are feeling might be a good thing?

   ''Sure,'' Akers said. ''For this World Cup, our attitude is, 'Come on, bring it on.' We'll be able to take everything in and still play our game.''

   Which means not letting the technically strong Germans control the pace, which they will slow if they can. Germany, which finished second to Norway in 1995, also will try to free midfielder Bettina Wiegmann to set up forwards Brigit Prinz and Inka Grings.

   In turn, the Americans will need an edge in possession, particularly in the midfield.

   The Germans skipped their final practice to go to dinner in Georgetown on Wednesday night. There isn't nearly the pressure on them to win as there is on the host team.

   ''We don't think about the pressure,'' Julie Foudy said. ''We think about the reward.''



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