SOCCER FANS HOPE GAME ENDS IN TIE ARMENIAN-AMERICANS DRAWN TO BOTH TEAMS.

Byline: Donna Huffaker Staff Writer

GLENDALE - Each time the Armenian National soccer team blocks a shot or scores a goal Sunday, Mary Mouradian will jump from the bleachers and cheer proudly for her home team.

Of course, should the American team score, Mouradian will smile widely and applaud just as loudly. ``Either side can win. It doesn't matter,'' the Armenian-born Van Nuys resident said Friday.

``I will root for the U.S. because it is my home team, but I will cheer for Armenia because it is home,'' said Mouradian, who moved to the States 23 years ago.

Mouradian's point of view is shared by many Armenian-Americans who live in Southern California. A tie between Armenia and the U.S. Men's Under-23 National Team would be a happy compromise for Sunday's soccer match-up at the Rose Bowl. The U.S.-Armenia match will follow the historic showdown between Iran and the U.S.

Much like Armenians who spent their childhoods in the old country, Mouradian grew up watching soccer. A broadcaster for Armenian Wireless Television in North Hollywood, Mouradian said people focus on that sport because there are a limited number of national sports in her homeland.

With 40 tickets to Sunday's game inside his back pocket, Glendale resident Heratch Arzoumanian said he, too, has watched soccer since he was a child.

Calling it a matter of ``cultural pride,'' Arzoumanian said he devours any news, sports or otherwise, that has to do with Armenia.

``I get really antsy and excited when I hear `Armenia.' I just have to stick my nose into it and see what's going on,'' said Arzoumanian, who emigrated from Armenia when he was 6 months old.

On Sunday, Arzoumanian, the owner of Pietro's Pizzas in Pasadena, will sit alongside scores of friends and relatives at the Rose Bowl to cheer on both teams. His chants for the Armenian team, however, will be just a tad louder, he said.

Defining cultural pride, Mouradian said children in Armenia are raised to be the best at everything they do. It's what the parents expect from children the minute they are born, she said.

Typically, Mouradian is a full-on fan of the U.S. team, because she considers it her home team. But watching the team that traveled from her homeland across the globe to play against the United States at the Rose Bowl, is going to be odd, she said.

``I have mixed feelings. I don't even know if Armenia is good enough to beat the U.S.,'' she said.

A tie would be just fine for Glendale resident Rubina Djansezian, an Armenian who lived in Iran and moved to the United States 20 years ago.

Djansezian is pulling for both Armenia and the United States but in the match against Iran, Djansezian will scream for Uncle Sam.

``I'm right in the middle and don't really know how to feel. But I've lived here most of my adult life and you always want your hometown to win,'' she said.

Van Nuys resident Sarky Mouradian just wants to watch a friendly game, not an aggravated game, he said Friday, alluding to a fight in last week's match against Guatemala.

Mouradian, who was born in the Middle East, said it's a tossup for the team he wants to win.

``Actually, I'm hoping for a tie,'' said Mouradian, the director of programming for AWTV.