Day at a Glance

Intangibles favor U.S. team vs. favored China

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Posted: Saturday July 10, 1999 11:20 AM

The U.S. can't afford to lose track of Sun Wen, who has scored seven goals in the World Cup. Ezra O. Shaw/Allsport

By Steve Almasy, CNN/SI

PASADENA, Calif. -- China has every quality of a world championship soccer team -- technical ability, tactical awareness, solid results in this tournament, incredible discipline and speed at all positions.

It, however, does not have any of the intangible factors in its favor this sunny Saturday in Southern California. The stands will be packed with almost 92,000 high-pitched screaming U.S. fans. The American team has been feted all week like heroes. Mia Hamm got a huge mental boost when her biggest fan, husband Christian Cory, was given leave from his military post to be at the game. The Chinese have been made to travel all over the host country during the first two weeks of the tournament.

Still, the Chinese should win. We know that soccer is a crazy game where huge underdogs can win big matches. And the U.S., while the slightly lesser-favored team, is an extremely talented squad with equally talented players. So the basis for our gut feeling -- China has been the better team so far. (Plus we picked them to win before the Cup finals began)

"Each team has its own features and strengths," said philosophical Chinese coach Ma Yuanan. "The USA plays the most advanced defensive system. China will also try to play good defense."

His players, he waxed poetically, had come to learn the real meaning of soccer; they have delved into the nature of soccer.

Hamm said the talent of the Chinese is "scary," and U.S. coach Tony DiCicco has urged his team to play American soccer. That is, play a workmanlike-style by winning each free ball, and maintain possession. But expect a direct attack when the opportunity presents itself.

He may also try to inject momentum into the game by starting forward Shannon MacMillan and benching tall forward Cindy Parlow. His predicament is that the U.S. would have a nice advantage on set pieces in the Chinese third of the field if Parlow, who is about 6 feet tall, was in the penalty area along with the 5-10 Michelle Akers. The tallest Chinese defender is three or four inches shorter.

Regardless of who wins, it likely will be a tight match with both teams notching at least one goal. Each of the three matches this year has ended 2-1, with China winning two of the three.

Storylines We're Following Hamm's hamstring She practiced Friday and said later in the locker room that her leg was "fine." The U.S. bench If MacMillan sits -- or even if Parlow does -- the U.S. should have a depth edge, with defenders Lorrie Fair and Sara Whalen, and midfielder Tisha Venturini also on the sidelines. With temperatures expected in the low 90s, substitutes after the 65th minute will make a huge impact. China's composure The Chinese played in front of 76,000 at the Olympics, but the Rose Bowl's 92,00 fans will be true soccer fans boisterously supporting the U.S. team, as opposed to the corporate crowd of the '96 Games.   Players to Watch Sun Wen China's No. 9 is more than a goal scorer, she also has three assists in the tournament. They key is to deny her getting any touches while she is facing the goal. Carla Overbeck She is the most experienced U.S. defender and is a co-captain. She needs to play a steady game and avoid gambling on any 50-50 ball where a slip will give the Chinese a 1-on-1 opportunity at goal. Tiffeny Milbrett If Mia Hamm can't find the room to shoot, Milbrett will have to find the open space so Hamm can get her the ball. She has three goals in the World Cup, and one in the final will go a long way, especially if it comes first.   Bandwagon Rose Bowl Because 95,000 people (there are thousands of journalists here) are descending upon a stadium in the middle -- and we mean the middle -- of a residential district, fans will get there early and be loud from the moment the team bus appears at the park. Women's soccer True, two teams are the class of the field, but all the teams in this tournament acquitted themselves nicely. The soccer has been entertaining and clean. The weather it's extremely bright and promises to be hot.

 

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U.S. Team Report: MacMillan may start China Team Report: Spirits high in last practice SI's Grant Wahl previews the WWC final CNN/SI's Michael Lewis: U.S. has more to give Q & A with Grant Wahl: China's offense is its best defense
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