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Goal Cup U.S., Brazilian women win big in Gold Cup
Posted: Monday June 26, 2000 12:54 PM
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- As World Cup veterans Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Tiffany Milbrett and Kate Sobrero watched from the bench, the future of the U.S. women's soccer program started to come into view. If Sunday's 8-0 rout of Costa Rica is any indication, names like Nikki Serlenga and Susan Bush could become familiar very soon. Serlenga scored three goals -- her first hat trick in international competition -- and Bush added a goal and four assists as the Americans clinched a berth in the semifinals of the Gold Cup in front of 7,043 fans at Cardinal Stadium. Christie Welsh also added a pair of goals as the Americans cruised to their second straight blowout victory in the eight-nation tournament. None of the three played on the team that won the 1999 World Cup. All of them are at least 10 years younger than Chastain, and Welsh will just begin her sophomore year at Penn State in the fall. "We want to give players playing time. Players don't learn as much while they're on the bench," coach April Heinrichs said. "There are so many good players on this team and so many playing well. That's a position a coach wants to be in." The Americans dictated play from the opening minutes, keeping the ball in the Costa Rican half of the field for more than 90 percent of the first half. The U.S. team failed to click on many early scoring opportunities but was never threatened by its smaller, slower opponent. The Americans outshot Costa Rica 39-4 and limited the visitors to a single corner kick. Backup goalkeeper Jen Branam had to make just one save. Heinrichs said the team could still use improvement on both ends of the field -- and the players know it. "There are almost inhuman expectations on this team," Heinrichs said. "We have a vision for what direction we want this team to have, come September. We're taking baby steps in that direction." Serlenga broke the scoreless tie in the ninth minute, beating Costa Rica goalkeeper Marie Claire Herra with a shot from the top of the penalty area. Shannon MacMillan scored from nearly the same spot a minute later and Bush made it 3-0 when she dashed into the goal crease and sent home a long cross from Cindy Parlow in the 22nd minute. Welsh scored off a cross from Bush in the 47th minute to make it 4-0 and Serlenga sent a rocket past Herra from just outside the crease in the 53rd minute for a 5-0 lead. Serlenga scored again in the 64th minute and Welsh and Sara Whalen added goals in the final 15 minutes. Serlenga said the game was a chance for her and other young players to make their case for roster spots on the Olympic team, which will be chosen at the end of July. "Not many people have this opportunity, so you either go out there and work your butt off and don't make the team or you go out there, work your butt off and make it, which is even better," Serlenga said. "Either way, you're going to get better playing with players at this level. "You learn to thrive on that kind of pressure, competing with players like these. It gives me confidence to have a game like this." The stadium, which seats 42,000, was less than one-quarter filled when the U.S. game started, despite sunny skies and temperatures in the 80s. Earlier Sunday, Katia Da Silva scored seven goals in Brazil's 11-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago. The Brazilians defeated Costa Rica 8-0 on June 23, and will play the U.S. team Tuesday night in Foxboro, Mass.
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