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'Tremendous inspiration'

U.S. women's soccer still feeling vibes from World Cup

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Posted: Saturday July 24, 1999 11:30 AM

Beckey Myers (9) blocks a pass by Costa Rica's Ericka Castro during the first half of their Pan Am women's soccer game. AP

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) -- It's no wonder the U.S. women's soccer team couldn't wait to get started at the Pan American Games. The players still were feeling the vibes from the World Cup.

"What a tremendous inspiration," said midfielder Lauren Molinaro, who was in the Rose Bowl stands when the United States beat China for the world title. "We're feeding off their energy from the World Cup.

"That was good for all of us, and it drives us harder to fulfill our dreams and be a part of that team in the future."

U.S. Soccer sent the girls' under-20 squad to the Pan Ams. The team won 6-0 Friday against Costa Rica as Molinaro scored twice.

While these women are eyeing the 2003 World Cup and 2004 Olympics, they are not babes in the woods. Molinaro, for instance, played with national team defender Sara Whalen and is friends with super sub Shannon MacMillan. Midfielder Jena Kluegel attends soccer powerhouse North Carolina, where her teammates have included World Cup starter Cindy Parlow and reserves Lorrie Fair and Tiffany Roberts.

"It's awesome to play with them," Kluegel said. "They are great players and people. I went in and was nervous at the first practice, wondering what will I do, but they make you feel better about yourself and they make you better as a player."

Everyone on the Pan Ams squad has played in international matches. The team is coached by Jay Hoffman, who was an assistant with the World Cup squad.

Hoffman brings 18 years of knowledge as a coach, plus a direct connection with the world champs. He likes what he sees from his current team, even though it doesn't have nearly the training time together as the national team.

"We brought them in in June for a week," he said, "and they played two exhibitions. We then made changes because of availability of some players, got back together last Friday in San Diego, then came here. It's a matter of getting them together and familiar with each other."

Actually, many of the U.S. players know each other. Thirteen have college experience and several have faced off on the field for their schools.

"Playing against some of these girls, things happen on the field," Kluegel said. "But it's all forgotten when we come into this event and we're on the same team. We are here and want to win and have fun."

Hoffman has emphasized to his players the importance of doing well at the Pan Am Games. Naturally, they're thrilled to represent their country. But the Pan Ams also are an opportunity to display their skills for possible future appearances with the U.S. team, in events such as the World Cup and Olympics.

"It's the first time out of the blocks for the women and what I like is they made it an age specific event," Hoffman said. "It gives them another chance to make another step. At the same time, it gives U.S. Soccer looks at the development of these young players for the next two Olympics and the World Cups coming up.

"It is an international competition and it is promoting the sport within our hemisphere and getting other countries involved with women's teams, and that can only help the sport. And this type of competition, needing good results, gives them exposure in what it takes at the highest level."

The players believe thousands more American girls will be looking at the same goals thanks to the success of World Cup '99. They hope for a boom in girls soccer and other women's sports, too.

"I think it was great for women's sports and soccer," Molinaro said, "with all the kids in the stands and on TV getting a goal to shoot for. All the people who say you can't get anywhere in women's sports, it totally contradicted it."

Lineups

U.S.: 1-Hope Solo, 3-Nandi Pryce, 5-Anna Kraus, 8-Lori Lindsey (7-Jennifer Lewis, 57), 9-Becky Myers, 10-Jena Kluegel, 12-Marcia Wallis, 13-Lauren Molinaro, 14-Catherine Reddick, 21-Tara Comfort, 16-Andi Sellers (11-Kim Patrick, 57)

Costa Rica: 20-Herra Rojas (1-Fernadez Villareal, 55), 17-Karina Lopez (15-Monica Chavez, 90+) 4-H. Barrantes, 5-Laura Palma, 6-F. Guadamuz, 7-Emilia Solano, 8-Ana Campos, 10-Ericka Castro, 11-Murcia Diaz (14-Quesada Cruz, 90+), 12-Melissa Lopez, 13-Madriz Arce

Goals -- U.S.: Marcia Wallis (unassisted), Andi Sellers (Lori Lindsey), Lauren Molinaro (Becky Myers), Lauren Molinaro (unassisted), Kim Patrick (unassisted), Catherine Reddick (Nandi Pryce)

 

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