CROWD READY TO RUMBLE; U.S. EXPECTS HOME FANS TO BE EMOTIONAL BOOST.

Byline: Barry Wilner Associated Press 

Not since the gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics has the U.S. women's soccer team gotten so much attention and so much acclaim. Today, a probable sellout at Giants Stadium for the opener of the Women's World Cup should bring back memories of 1996.

``I just hope at the end of it, we're walking off with the same feeling,'' U.S. star Mia Hamm said. ``And with that trophy.''

The Americans are favored to do just that. As hosts, they should get a huge boost from the crowds, beginning with a sellout in excess of 78,000 for the opening game against Denmark.

``With a packed house and everyone pro-U.S. and shouting `U-S-A,' it will be awesome,'' Shannon MacMillan said. ``We'll get that extra edge and little push from the home crowd.

``When they asked us if we thought the World Cup should be in big stadiums or smaller ones, we said, `We'll pack the large ones.'

``When we were practicing in Orlando, they'd pipe crowd noise into the Citrus Bowl to give us a feel for playing in front of huge crowds. But it's hard for anyone to understand what it is like, even after the Olympics. We're so fired up for it.''

So are the Danes. And the Brazilians and Mexicans, who meet in the second game of the doubleheader as the 16-team, three-week event gets rolling.

Also today, China, considered a co-favorite to win the third Women's World Cup tournament, plays Sweden, and Japan faces Canada at San Jose.

Oddly, the United States opened against Denmark in the 1995 World Cup and the '96 Olympics. Facing the Americans in what could be an intimidating stadium doesn't seem to faze the Danes.

``I don't think any of us have played in front of 75,000,'' said Mikka Hansen, an American native playing for Denmark - her father is Danish. ``Maybe it will be to the U.S. advantage, but there also is a lot of pressure attached for them.''

The U.S. players concede there might be some nervousness early in today's game, televised by ABC. But they believe there is enough veteran leadership on the team to ensure a quick start.

Indeed, no other nation has as experienced a core as the United States. Players such as Hamm, Michelle Akers, Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy, Kristine Lilly, Joy Fawcett and Carla Overbeck were regulars in 1991, when the Americans took the inaugural World Cup crown.

``With all of our vets,'' said MacMillan, a star in the Olympics who will be making her World Cup debut, ``they know how to keep things in check. They can relax the others and settle the team down. We're no stranger to big games.''

The last week could have been the most difficult for the Americans, even though coach Tony DiCicco eased up on the practice routine as the opener got closer. That didn't help much, however, in dealing with the anxiety.

But the players' camaraderie and closeness made the final buildup easier to handle.

``Since Sunday, we've been here in Jersey and we've been ready for it to start,'' MacMillan said. ``The other night, I said to Julie, who was my roommate this week, `I can't believe it's only Wednesday.' I think we'll be ready to explode when we get on the field.

``I don't think we have to worry about peaking too soon. It's actually been really relaxing the last couple of days. We went to see `Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me,' and we've all been repeating the lines all through practice. It's been a fun environment, sort of like dorm life. We're all like sisters on this team. We mesh and flow along together.''

CAPTION(S):

Photo

PHOTO Michelle Akers was on the team in 1991 when the U.S. won the first World Cup title.

John T. Greilick/Associated Press