+U.S. women look to stay atop soccer world*
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By Noah Schwartz 
SportsTicker Staff Writer 

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The players that thrilled
more than 40 million American television viewers with a penalty
shootout win over China in the 1999 World Cup Final form the
core of the U.S. Women's Soccer team that will attempt to defend
its Olympic title in Sydney, Australia. 

Coach April Heinrichs' squad includes 14 members of the roster
that reigned supreme at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California,
on July 10, 1999, before 90,125 fans, the largest crowd to
attend a women's sporting event in U.S. history. 

But, despite winning one Olympic and two World Cup titles during
the 1990s, the United States is by no means a certainty for a
medal. 

Norway, the 1995 World Cup champions, and China, one of the top
sides in the world, are drawn in the same group as the
Americans.  The Norwegians have defeated the U.S. in two of
three matches this year and 14 of 25 all-time.  The Americans
boast a 12-6-6 record against the Chinese, but are just 0-1-1
this year. 

Nigeria rounds out the bracket. In their only previous meeting,
the U.S. routed the African nation, 7-1, during the 1999 World
Cup. 

Host nation Australia, Brazil, Germany and Sweden make up the
other group in the second ever Women's Olympic Soccer
competition. The top two teams from each division qualify for
the semifinals. 

The U.S. plays all three of its first-round matches at the
90,000-seat Melbourne Cricket Ground.  The Olympics kick-off for
Team USA on September 14th with a battle against Norway. Three
days later, a rematch of the 1999 World Cup Final against China
will be contested.  The Americans conclude the opening round
September 20 against Nigeria. 

The semifinals will be played in Sydney and Canberra, the
Australian capital. The Sydney Football Stadium will host the
final. 

Not only does the U.S. face tough competition in the opening
round, but it also may find the going rough without its rock in
midfield. 

Michelle Akers retired from international competition having
logged 105 goals in 153 appearances for the national team. The
decision followed the re-injury of her shoulder during the
team's 7-1 thrashing of Russia at Annapolis, Maryland, on August
13. 

In addition to her shoulder ailment, the 34-year-old midfielder
is a veteran of 12 knee operations and battles chronic fatigue
syndrome. 

The United States looks to midfielder Lorrie Fair to slip into
Akers' role in the middle, but Akers' size, strength and grit
may prove irreplaceable.  Fair has notched seven goals in 76
appearances for the national side. 

Leftfooted defender Michelle French, a past captain of the U.S.
Under-21 National Team, replaces Akers on the Olympic roster.
French has made nine appearances for the senior team. 

Captain Carla Overbeck will be retiring from the international
scene after the Olympics.  Overbeck, 32, battled knee surgery,
as well as Graves Disease, in order to make the squad for
Sydney.  She sat out most of the team's final Olympic warm-up
against Brazil at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California. 

Midfielder Julie Foudy was deputized in the captain's role for
Overbeck against the South Americans.  Foudy led by example,
scoring the opening goal in the 4-0 domination of Brazil. 

Mia Hamm, the all-time international scoring leader with 125
goals (as of September 1), spearheads the offense, with fellow
forward Tiffany Milbrett, the team's leading scorer in 1999 with
21 goals and 12 assists. 

Standing 5-11, striker Cindy Parlow, who has netted a
team-leading 17 goals in 2000, offers Heinrichs an aerial threat
off the bench or the option of a three-pronged attack. 

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