U.S. captain may miss women's soccer final

By SCOTT PITONIAK

Gannett News Service

ATHENS, Greece - She ditched her crutches Wednesday and is gimping around on a bum right ankle. But Julie Foudy isn't ruling out playing in Thursday's gold medal women's soccer match against Brazil.

"I think I'll just have them cut it off and I'll drag my stump out there if I have to'' joked the captain of the U.S. team.

Foudy added that if she can't help by playing, she will help by being a vocal cheerleader and coach.

"Just ask the girls,'' she said. "My voice carries really far.''

That Foudy would not want to miss this match is understandable - this is the last hurrah for her and the other four players who put U.S. soccer on the map. She, Mia Hamm, Joy Fawcett, Brandi Chastain and Kristine Lilly have been through a lot together - the highs of two World Cup titles and an Olympic gold medal, as well as the lows of heartbreaking losses in a Cup semifinal and Olympic finals.

"It's been a heck of a roller coaster ride,'' says Lilly, who has three goals during these Olympics, tying her with Abby Wambach for the team lead. "But now's not the time to get emotional or sentimental. We still have another big game to play. We can't forget that. We can't expect to just show up and be awarded the gold medal.''

Indeed, it would be folly to overlook their opponent, despite the fact the U.S. beat Brazil, 2-0, 12 days ago in an early-round Olympic match and 5-1 in an April match in Birmingham, Ala.

Though the Americans have a 17-1-2 record all-time vs. their foes from South America, they were pushed around and out-hustled in the first half during their last meeting.

The U.S. came back with a strong effort in the second half. Wambach drew a foul against the Brazilians that resulted in a penalty kick goal by Hamm. Wambach later scored after splitting two defenders.

But the rugged play became the dominant story of the game. The U.S. was whistled for 11 fouls to Brazil's 17. The Americans received three yellow cards to Brazil's one.

After the match, Brazil coach Rene Simoes accused the Americans of dirty play, singling out Wambach, the 5-foot-11 striker who's not afraid to mix it up.

"They came in the second half to really go against the player, not to go at the ball, and the referee allowed that,'' said Simoes.

Simoes has continued to emphasize the U.S.'s alleged dirty tactics in the Brazilian press, but his players have not joined in on the theme. Instead, they have talked about their respect for American soccer and wanting to establish the women's game in their country the way the U.S. team has.

"We are a country with a big tradition in football, and we have set our standards high,'' said forward Pretinha, referring to Brazil's record five World Cup titles. "We want that gold medal.''

So do the Americans. They see this is as the final chapter in the most remarkable run in U.S. women's soccer history.

"We want them to wear gold,'' said Heather O'Reilly, whose overtime goal vs. Germany Monday night enabled the U.S. to advance. "No other color would do.''

NOTES: U.S. goalkeeper Briana Scurry has two shutouts and has allowed single goals in three other starts ... Wambach and Lilly lead the U.S. in scoring with three apiece, while Hamm has two and Shannon Boxx and O'Reilly one apiece ... Brazil beat Sweden, 1-0, in the other semifinal ... The Americans' only loss in 20 matches in the series came seven years ago.