BRAGGING RIGHTS AFOOT IN GOLD CUP FINALE.Byline: Fred J. Robledo Staff Writer PASADENA - Now that the worrying and pressure of having to qualify for the 2003 World Cup is gone, the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and Canada will play for the top spot in the CONCACAF CONCACAF Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (Soccer) CONCACAF Confederacion Norte, Centroamericana y del Caribe de Futbol Asociacion (Spanish) region when they meet tonight in the championship of the FC Women's Gold Cup at the Rose Bowl beginning at 7. The two North American North American named after North America. North American blastomycosis see North American blastomycosis. North American cattle tick see boophilusannulatus. rivals clearly are the class of the region. The United States beat Costa Rica Costa Rica (kŏs`tə rē`kə), officially Republic of Costa Rica, republic (2005 est. pop. 4,016,000), 19,575 sq mi (50,700 sq km), Central America. 7-0 in Wednesday's semifinal and has outscored its opponents 22-0. Canada edged Mexico 2-0 in the other semifinal but has outscored its four opponents by a 25-1 margin. Because the U.S. and Canada advanced to tonight's championship, they earn the two automatic berths afforded CONCACAF for the 2003 World Cup in China. And there is a strong rivalry brewing between the countries. ``We still have a very important game left,'' U.S. forward Mia Hamm Mia Hamm (born Mariel Margaret Hamm on March 17,1972 in Selma, Alabama) is a former American soccer player. Playing for many years as a forward for the United States women's national soccer team, she scored more international goals in her career than any other player, male said. ``Our first goal was to qualify for the World Cup, and we did that, so now our goal is to win the Gold Cup.'' Although the U.S. matches have been one-sided, coach April Heinrichs April Heinrichs (born February 27, 1964 in Denver, Colorado) was among the first players on the United States women's national soccer team, and was captain of the United States team which won the first ever FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991. is proud her team hasn't given up a goal in the tournament. ``One of our goals coming in was getting shutouts,'' Heinrichs said. ``We've been working vigorously with our defense. Our team takes great pride in not allowing any shots.'' The Americans' dominant reputation in CONCACAF is on the line tonight. The defending World Cup champions are unbeaten in 13 World Cup qualifying matches. Before this year, the U.S. hadn't competed in a World Cup qualification game since 1994, when it defeated Canada 6-0 for the Gold Cup title. Much has changed since then, however. The Canadians are poised to make noise in next year's World Cup and have closed the gap with the United States. In fact, Canada is the last team to beat the Americans in the U.S., winning 3-1 on Nov. 11, 2000. The U.S. has played Canada three times since that match, losing again to its neighbors in the 2001 Algarve Cup The Algarve Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's football (soccer). Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious women's football events, alongside the Women's World Cup and Women's Olympic Football. when it used a team of young players. In the summer of 2001, the U.S. had a victory and a tie against Canada in a home-and-home series. Today's third-place match, featuring Mexico and Costa Rica at 4:30 p.m., has bigger implications, with the winner earning the right to face the third-place team from the Asian region in a home-and-home series to earn a 2003 World Cup spot. FC WOMEN'S GOLD CUP Where: Rose Bowl Final: U.S. vs. Canada, 7 p.m., Fox Sports World Sports World are a British sports Retailer, formerly called Sports Soccer. Founded in the late 1970's by former county squash coach Mike Ashley, the group Sports World International is now the UK's largest retailer of sports clothing and accessories. Third-place game: Mexico vs. Costa Rica, 4:30 p.m. CAPTION(S): box Box: FC WOMEN'S GOLD CUP (see text) |
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