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Family feeling Favored U.S. women boast of team chemistry
Posted: Tuesday June 15, 1999 03:03 PM
MARTINSVILLE, New Jersey (AP) -- No cliques. No petulance. No outright hostility. Could this really be a U.S. national soccer team? Certainly. The American women, who not only are a favorite to win the World Cup tournament they open Saturday against Denmark, but they're one big happy family. From 1991, when the United States won the initial World Cup, into the 1995 tournament in which it placed third, then through the gold medal performance in the Atlanta Olympics, the women have been the tightest of groups. That fellowship has been a key element in the team's overwhelming success, something the men never have matched -- on the field or off. "It's an environment to express yourself," said Mia Hamm, the game's best player and career goal-scoring leader. "There is never a time you feel you are by yourself or alone. It's a powerful feeling of camaraderie. "Chemistry is not something you flick on with a switch like a light. It has to be nurtured. It's not like, `OK, today is team chemistry day.' It's more like, `We're going to set up an environment for you, and it's what you make of it. We will not force it on you. Make of it what you can, or don't.'" Almost to a woman, the players make the most of it. The core of the squad that will take the field Saturday at Giants Stadium has been together nearly a decade. Hamm, Michelle Akers, Julie Foudy, Kristine Lilly, Tiffeny Milbrett, Joy Fawcett, Tisha Venturini and Carla Overbeck all have well over 100 international appearances. Brandi Chastain, Briana Scurry and Shannon MacMillan are closing in on the century mark. That kind of experience is a daunting weapon for any team. As Brazil defender Elane said of the Americans, "Their great players have been together longer than many women have been playing football." Such experience is important only if the lessons learned by the veterans are shared with the youngsters. That's where the U.S. women excel. Any of the kids on the squad readily will volunteer that they were quickly accepted by the older players. "The veterans who molded the team let the people coming in know they have got to fit into the chemistry they've worked so hard to create," said Danielle Fotopoulos, the U.S. college career goals leader at Florida and now a substitute for the national team. "Plus, they make everything fun for us. Practice is fun. We hang out together and have fun. "It can be very intimidating coming into any new team, especially one with the success rate the U.S. has had. You don't know where you will fit in or the personalities on the team. If these were not cool people who cared, it could be a nightmare. Instead, it's so special." Each of the women alternate roommates when the team travels. That means most of the veterans have roomed with most of the younger, newer players. During practice, coach Tony DiCicco is conscious of putting together a mix of youth and experience, whether it be for 4-on-4 minigames, or for full scrimmages. Unlike the men's national team, which self-destructed during last year's World Cup in France, there never has been a single report of discord among the women's team members. "I guess there is a bond there in the female game," Lilly said. "We enjoy each other. We've all been in positions where we were the new player coming in. It can be difficult to reach out to players. But we all do a great job of opening doors."
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