[nas] US Soccer Center Circle Newsletter- September 12, 2002 (VolumeII, Issue 9)

[<big_dog@fastmail.fm>]

Title: US Soccer Center Circle Newsletter- September 12, 2002 (Volume II, Issue 9)

"Center Circle"
September 12, 2002
Volume II, Issue 9

Table of Contents
In this September issue of "Center Circle," we look back at the U-19's run to the first ever world championship, we get to know a pair of U.S. Men's National Team defenders that just so happen to be fellow UNC alums, check in with another installment of Aly Wagner At the Movies and feature, believe it or not, our first ever piece on arguably the most famous #9 in sports history (who just so happens to be a UNC alum, as well). No, not legendary hitter Ted Williams, although his name does pop up in this first issue of the Fall.

1) Armchair Midfielder (The Triple-Edged Sword: Class of 1991 vs. Class of 2002)
2) Word Association (w/ MNT defender Eddie Pope)
3) At the Movies (w/ WNT midfielder Aly Wagner)
4) Queries and Anecdotes (w/ MNT defender Gregg Berhalter)
5) Big Woman on Campus (w/ U-19 WNT defender Keeley Dowling)
6) Superstar!!! (w/ WNT forward Mia Hamm)
7) Mark That Calendar (2002 Nike U.S. Women's Cup)
8) Point/Counterpoint (What Do YOU Know?!?)
9) "You Don't Know Jack (Marshall)" (U.S. Open Cup trivia)


1) ARMCHAIR MIDFIELDER (The Triple-Edged Sword: Class of 1991 vs. Class of 2002)
A monthly column about the State of U.S. Soccer that takes a hard look at everything from the performance of the U.S. National Teams to pro soccer in the good 'ole U-S-of-A . If you're looking for a viewpoint that you won't see in a generic, nuts-and-bolts U.S. Soccer press release, you've come to the right place.

This month, the Armchair Midfielder looks back at the first ever "triple-edged sword," a trio of U.S. Women's National Team legends who delivered the first ever Women's World Cup title back in 1991, and the new class, three teenagers who lead the U.S. Under-19 Women's National Team on an almost perfect run through the first ever FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship last month in which they went 6-0, outscored opponents 26-2 and outlasted the tough host country 1-0 in the final in front of a crowd of almost 50,000 rowdy Canadians.

The Triple-Edged Sword delivers again.

FLASHBACK TO THE EARLY 90's: The women's international game was little more than a toddler in the United States - about six years old - while teams like Sweden, Norway and Denmark had been playing since the 1970's. After taking their lumps across the first four years of friendlies (1985-89), the U.S. emerged as one of the teams to beat once 1990 rolled around and preparations for the first ever FIFA Women's World Cup began.  Still, few expected the relatively inexperienced U.S. team to emerge from the soccer wasteland to challenge for the first world title of its kind. Enter the Triple-Edged Sword.

Continue: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=21962


"BEHIND CLOSED DOORS"

A section that will let you get to know the real personalities of your favorite Men's, Women's and Youth National Team players through various funny and unique first-person accounts. In this issue, you'll find:

2) WORD ASSOCIATION (w/ MNT defender Eddie Pope)
Eddie Pope may or may not need some sort of therapy. Regardless, with 25 prompts on topics both easy and tough, we play psychiatrist to get a candid look inside the mind of the soft-spoken, stoic U.S. Men's National Team defender.

Speak softly and carry a big kick. That's what Eddie Pope has done throughout his successful soccer career. From his days as a Tarheel to his championship years as part of D.C. United's early MLS dynasty to his solid performance in the past two World Cups, the always reliable and conspicuously consistent back line stopgap has brought his quiet, workmanlike ways to every team he's been a part of. As if he doesn't already bring enough to a team, the 28-year-old native of High Point, N.C., has a knack for knocking home a header when the game is on the line, which is always nice. On and off the field, he is a coach's dream: a consummate professional, a player that always does what is asked of him, and a man who leads by silent example. In a day and age of ego and selfish glory among big-time pros, Pope is one of a rare breed of athletes that realizes it's far more impressive to walk the walk than talk the talk.

PROMPT ::: RESPONSE
High Point, N.C. ::: Home
UNC, the school ::: Fun
Chapel Hill, the college town ::: Chapel Thrill!
D.C., the city ::: D.C. United
D.C. United, the team ::: Pride

More: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=21963


3) AT THE MOVIES (w/ WNT midfielder Aly Wagner)
With the summer coming to an end, we wanted to look back at the top five summer blockbusters of 2002, and we knew just the person to supply it.  If she wasn't one of the top young midfielders in the world, Aly Wagner might be sitting next to Roger Ebert, giving thumbs up or thumbs down on the best, and worst, that Hollywood has to offer. The Santa Clara University senior, college soccer player of the year candidate and resident U.S. Soccer movie critic is sure to be a top pick in the 2003 WUSA draft next year.  Today, Aly picks her top five summer favorites.

1) "Spiderman" (starring Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst)
"I can't say I'm a big fan of men in tights, but I'll make an exception for Tobey Maguire. He's got that cute, dorky superhero aura nailed.  There's just something about a guy who can whisk you away from the dangers of the night and then end it with an upside-down kiss.  It was undoubtedly the best upside-down kiss in film history.  And if you're that creative on a kiss, well ... It was your classic fun, entertaining and not-too-deep summer blockbuster."

Continue: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=21964


4) "QUERIES AND ANECDOTES" (w/ MNT defender Gregg Berhalter)
Off-the-wall Questions and Answers, Queries and Anecdotes from U.S. Men's National Team defender Gregg Berhalter.

Gregg Berhalter has been connected to U.S. Soccer and the U.S. Men's National Team throughout his playing career. From dominating high school soccer alongside U.S. captain Claudio Reyna at St. Benedict's, to teaming with U.S. defender Eddie Pope at UNC, to at one point wearing the captain's armband for the U.S. Under-20 and Under-23 teams, the native of Tenafly, N.J., has loads of history with regard to soccer in the States. This year, the 29-year-old defender worked his way on to the U.S. World Cup Team and came on for an injured Jeff Agoos to help the U.S. post two of their best results in Korea. But since he left college after his junior season, the East Coast kid has been a mainstay in Europe, spending his early years in the Dutch Honor Division. Berhalter recently moved from English First Division club Crystal Palace to Energie Cottbus of the German Bundesliga, returning to the country where he signed his first pro contract back in 1994.

Center Circle: Seeing how you've been playing overseas for virtually the entirety of your professional career, what was it like for you to be able to get your name and face out there to an American audience during the World Cup and during the media tour that followed?
Gregg Berhalter: "I think it was great just to see the excitement that we generated for the World Cup. It's amazing to come back to America and be recognized on the street and have people come up to you and say 'Good job' and everything like that. It was really incredible."

CC: Did the parents and everyone see you in your starring role on the rooftop on "Letterman"?
GB: "Yep, they saw it. Well, actually, they were in Korea at the time, but my other family members saw it. They liked it; they were laughing."

CC: If I remember correctly, didn't that shot kinda hit the post rather than splitting the middle? Didn't it take your good buddy Claudio to score one through the water towers?
GB: "Oh, that one? I think it hit the post and went through. I thought it was a goal anyway."

Continue: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=21965


5) "BIG WOMAN ON CAMPUS?" (w/ U-19 WNT defender Keeley Dowling)
Defender Keeley Dowling will be a sophomore at the University of Tennessee this fall and jumped right back into school and soccer after returning from Canada, where the young Americans made history by winning the first-ever FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship.  Dowling played a monster role in the center of the U.S. defense, combating Canada's relentless aerial game with her world-class leaping ability and bravery.  Dowling was severely ill the night before the game and the morning of the World Championship final, but with the help of the U.S. medical staff, re-hydrated herself and gutted out the 109 minutes to glory.  In this month's Big Women on Campus (BWOC), Dowling talks of the tough transition back to academia, big, fat carps and SEC football.

I must admit it's a bit strange to be back in school.  Especially, coming off such an amazing experience that we all just had in Canada.  It's kind of hard to focus on class, books and my professors when all I want to do is keep reliving the U-19 world championship and what we accomplished together up there. But I know that I must get back to reality soon for two reasons. First, I don't want to fall too far behind in school, and second, because it's Lady Vols Women's Soccer time.

Continue: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=21966


6) SUPERSTAR!!!
A monthly feature about a U.S. Men's, Women's or Youth National Team player who demands that bright, shining spotlight.

Three years ago, you couldn't turn anywhere and not see Mia Hamm. On billboards, on the cover of magazines, and in TV commercials with Michael Jordan. This kind of thing happens when America and the rest of the world embraces you as the poster girl for women's soccer. It didn't hurt that she's attractive and had just guided the U.S. to the well-marketed and uber-popular 1999 Women's World Cup on home soil. But almost three years later, Mia was M.I.A (yes, we've used this lame pun two issues in a row). "Where's Mia?" "Oh, well, she's injured." "Where's Mia?" "Oh, well, maybe she'll play in the second half."  These were exchanges of soccer fans at U.S. Women's National Team and WUSA games earlier this year. But after a rare bout with injury, Mia's back kicking grass and taking names. This month, we look back at Mia's difficult - but ultimately rewarding - 2002 season.

When the 2002 WUSA season started in early April, Washington Freedom forward Mia Hamm found herself in a very unfamiliar position -- on the outside looking in.  Hamm's view from the Freedom bench was not due to suspension, a coach's decision or a new FIFA rule limiting the abuse of outmatched defenders. The culprit was her knee.  More specifically, the articular cartilage inside her left knee, a supposedly smooth sheath of tissue that acts as a cushion, along with the meniscus, between the tibia and femur bones.

She had developed a small lesion in the articular cartilage, causing bone to rub on bone, which is as painful as it sounds, and had arthroscopic surgery at the end of February.  The rehabilitation for such a procedure barred her from running for a good three months and thus Hamm found herself in place where you usually don't find players who have scored 133 career international goals -- handing water bottles to her teammates.

Continue: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=21967


7) "MARK THAT CALENDAR" (2002 Nike U.S. Women's Cup)
A stern reminder about an upcoming U.S. Soccer-related event, whether you plan to check it out live and in person, on the "telly" or that wacky world wide web.

The end of this month brings the tournament before the tournament before the tournament. Huh? Well, think about it. From Sept. 29-Oct. 9, the four-team 2002 Nike U.S. Women's Cup will help the U.S. Women's National Team prepare for the crucial 2002 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup, which will act as qualifying for THE tournament, the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Coming off a big 4-0 win over Norway on July 21 and a 8-2 pounding of Scotland on Sept. 8, the U.S. Women appear to be in good form. That said, having only played four games on their home soil this year (as opposed to 20 in 1999 and 19 in 2000), April and the girls could use a little more seasoning before they jump into the tournament that will determine if they even have the opportunity to defend their hard-earned WWC title in '99.

Continue: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=21968


8) "POINT/COUNTERPOINT" (What Do YOU Know?!?)
In this playful piece, we pose a question or make a statement about something in soccer that will be debated by two individuals from the same walk of life. Be it a coach, player, journalist or whomever, the two will each give their side of the story, so to speak.

Across the last year of "Center Circle", we've heard from the likes of U.S. head coaches Bruce Arena and April Heinrichs, New York Times best-selling author Jere Longman, and respected soccer broadcasters Andres Cantor and Jack Edwards. But wait-you know what? We want to hear what YOU think about a few things. That's right - starting with this issue, we want you to e-mail us your thoughts, opinions, etc., on a different topic each month and we'll print a selection of our favorite responses in the following issue.

Now to the question for October: Which U.S. player will make the biggest mark on the 2002 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup and in turn, help the USA qualify for the 2003 Women's World Cup?

Will it be the rejuvenated Ms. Hamm? Will it be powerful newcomer Abby Wambach? Will Briana Scurry re-claim her place in the U.S. nets while shutting out the confederation's best strikers? Or will it be spry little Tiffeny Milbrett who regains her form of the last two years to punch a ticket to China 2003?

E-mail your well-crafted response to centercircle@ussoccer.org, including your full name, age, city of residence and favorite U.S. Soccer player (men's or women's, youth or futsal).

[WARNING #1: Anyone that uses the tired and predictable "Jane, you ignorant slut!" line from "Saturday Night Live", will automatically be disqualified from consideration of being printed in any issue.
WARNING #2: This ain't no BigSoccer.com, so let's keep it clean. Ranting and raving is highly encouraged, and biting sarcasm is more than welcome, but let's keep it clean if you want to see your name in print.]

Continue: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=21970


9) "YOU DON'T KNOW JACK (MARSHALL)" (U.S. Open Cup Trivia)
Think you know your soccer trivia? Well ... try us. We'll see how far back your knowledge of Team USA and U.S. Soccer extends. And who the heck is Jack Marshall? Even the trivia buffs in the U.S. Soccer Communications Department would be hard-pressed to tell you that one Jack Marshall received his one and only cap way back in 1926. Okay, that was pretty much impossible. They get easier. We give you four questions each month, 1 to 4, easy to hard.

Open Cup Fever!!! Can you feel it??? Okay, so it doesn't exactly compare to say ... the World Cup and it may lack the prestige of England's famed FA Cup, but it IS the oldest soccer tournament in the United States (we're talking 89 years here) and it's named after one of the most benevolent men in all of soccer, Lamar Hunt, so you have to love it. So it's down to two teams - the L.A. Galaxy and Columbus Crew (who happen to be owned by Mr. Hunt. Coincidence? I think not) - that will square off next month in the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final.

What better way to get ready for the big final than to take a stab at some Open Cup trivia? Don't worry, we won't be asking you which decade the Bethlehem Steel F.C. dominated the Cup (Answer: the 1910s). You'll only be tested on the modern era of the Open Cup, which began in 1996 when MLS teams joined the annual tournament.

Questions:
Q1 (1 of 4): Who are the defending Lamar Hunt Open Cup Champions?
Q2 (2 of 4): Since 1996, who is the only non-MLS team to have won the Open Cup?
Q3 (3 of 4): Who is the all-time leading scorer in Open Cup History (again, since 1996)?
Q4 (4 of 4): Name the seven players on the 2002 U.S. World Cup Team that have won at least one U.S. Open Cup title?

Answers: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=21971 

Download this issue of Center Circle (.pdf): http://www.ussoccer.com/templates/includes/misc_pdfs/cc_sept02.PDF


***HOW'S OUR WRITING?***
We want feedback. No, really. Positive, negative, indifferent--we take all kinds. Reach us at: centercircle@ussoccer.org.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To end your membership in ussoccerfan.com, please visit http://membership.ussoccer.com/member/unsubscribe.sps?msmid=1 and fill out an unsubscribe request. Thank you for supporting U.S. Soccer!