Section B·Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, April 21, 1999
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Women's World Cup drawing fans
U.S.league hopes depend on success of tournament team
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Rarely has the future of a sport depended so much on the achievements of one team
That seems to be the case for women's soccer, at least in the United States, which will play host to the Women's World Cup this summer. For the woman's brand of the planet's most popular sport, this is a pivotal tournament.
And if the American team doesn't fare well, it could mean a farewell to any thoughts of establishing a women's professional league in this country.
"Our goal is not necessarily to get a league," Kristine Lilly, who has appeared in more internationals than any other American soccer player, said Monday at a news conference to unveil FIFA's tournament trophy and the official song for the event. "We want one,
"This World Cup is what we have been waiting for, the moment for people to start watching us and for us to get more fans each and every day."
and if we do well, it will get a league, so that definitely is in the back of our minds. But that's all it can be.
The 1994 men's World Cup — FIFA's most attended event — led to the establishment of the MLS. That occurred even though the American's men's team hasn't been anywhere near as successful as the women. The U.S. women won the inaugural World Cup in 1991 and took the Atlanta Olympics gold medal three years ago.
"When we won the world championship, there was one reporter there," Lilly said. "But after the Olympic gold medal, people began to care about us. If we are not successful, people will still want to see women's soccer, but it might be more difficult to put together (a league)."
Tournament organizers aren't looking that far ahead. Instead, they are emphasizing strong ticket sales, which have exceeded project-
tions.
Initial estimates in 1997 of potential sales were 312,000. The World Cup already has sold more than 325,000 tickets, and the projections are for 475,000. Single-game tickets went on sale Monday.
Marla Messing, president of the organizing committee, said she thought more than 500,000 tickets would be sold.
"I think the 1994 men's World Cup opened the eyes of the U.S. public to what World Cup soccer is all about," she said. "The Atlanta Olympics opened eyes to the power and excitement of women's team sports. We are bringing both of those to bear to show the importance and attraction of this event."
The 16-team tournament begins June 19 with two games at East Rutherford, N.J. More than 44,000 tickets have been sold for that doubleheader, which begins with the United States vs. Denmark followed by Mexico vs. Brazil.
Average ticket sales for firstround doubleheaders not involving the U.S. team are at 14,257.
Other venues are the Rose Bowl,
Foxboro Stadium, Jack Kent Cooke
Stadium, Soldier Field, Spartan Stadium (San Jose, Calif.), Stanford (Calif.) Stadium and Portland (Ore). Civic Stadium.
The other World Cup teams are North Korea, Nigeria, Germany, Italy, Norway, Russia, Canada, Japan, China, Australia, Sweden and Ghana.
"We're ready to put on a party," U.S. veteran Julie Foudy said. "Let's do this huge."
The trophy, designed by William Sawaya, a native of Lebanon now working in Italy, was crafted by hand. It features a spiraling band tapering upward to embrace a soccer ball.
"It's startling, with a single gesture from the ground, aiming high, dancing and rising in a crescendo of movement — just like the growing interest that the world is showing in women's football," Sawaya said.
The theme song was performed live by 16-year-old Billie, who had a song on the British pop chart at No.1 and has a double platinum record. She also will sing the theme, "Because We Want To," at the opener.
Agassi, Becker bow out of Monte Carlo Open
-The Associated Press
MONTE CARLO, Monaco — The Monte Carlo Open lost three of its biggest draws yesterday — Boris Becker, Andre Agassi and Tim Henman.
Becker left the tournament when he learned his father died. Agassi withdrew because of an injured right shoulder. Henman lost 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 7-5 to Brazil's Fernando Meliigen in the second round.
Becker's father, Karl-Heinz, died of stomach cancer.
"I am very, very sad," Becker said. "I admired my father, and I owe him a lot," Becker said. "In this difficult situation I have to and want to be close to my family. Especially my mother needs me."
Becker plays a limited schedule and beat Cedric Plioine in the first round of the claycourt event. He had been scheduled to play Jerome Golmard of France in the second round.
Agassi, the No. 7 seed, was supposed to have faced Arnaud Di Pasquale of France
today. He was replaced in the draw by Vincenzo Santopadre of Italy.
Henman, the No.3 seed,
failed to take advantage of
a match point against
Meligeni, who has
reached the quarterfinals
of his last two events.
"I don't serve or volley like Henman, so I have to fight in matches like this," Meligeni said. "I am really happy with my play at the moment. I am 28, but I think I can improve a lot."
Henman missed his big opportunity when leading 5-4 in the final set. With a break point and a match
Becker: Withdrew when he learned his father died.
point, Henman made an unforced error, hitting weakly into the net. Meligeni sailed through the next three games.
"Sometimes when I really need to win a game I get impatient," said Henman, who had a first-round beek. "I need to stop taking reckless risks."
"On match point I was anxious and moved round to play a forehand when I perhaps should have hit a backhand." Hemman added. "That gave him a big target."
In the second round, Marcelo Rios, the No. 1 player on clay last year, lost the first set in 19 minutes to Andreel Pavel of Romania but recovered to win 0-6, 4-6, 7-6 (8-6).
Three-time Monte Carlo champion Thomas Muster downed No. 16 seed Thomas Johansson 6-3, 6-4 in the first round. Muster has won a record 40 titles on clay.
"The first 11 games were much easier than the finish," Muster said. "Johansson started to take some risks, and it worked."
Sebastian Grosjean advanced to the second round with a 6-4, 6-0 win against Argentine qualifier Sebastian Prieto. The Frenchman will next play No. 14 seed Tommy Haas.
Paraguay's Ramon Delgado, who beat Pete Sampras at last year's French Open, defeated Jonas Bjorkman 7-6 (7-5), 0-6, 6-4, setting up a second-round match with No. 5 seed Mark Phillipoussis.