The United States women’s national team are the standard bearers of women’s football. Experienced, skilled, organised and full of personality, the Americans head to the FIFA Women’s World Cup USA 2003 as one of the unquestioned favourites and biggest attractions. However, there are some question marks surrounding the team as they strive for their third FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy.

How will the side fare in a pressure-filled situation without composed coach Tony DiCicco and retired on-field leader, Michelle Akers? Will the veteran quintet of Brandi Chastain, Joy Fawcett, Julie Foudy, Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly stay fit and focused enough to make an impact throughout the long tournament? Can the next generation of players match the star power and big-match temperament of their predecessors?

Coach April Heinrichs, who played on the 1991 team that won the FIFA Women’s World Cup in China, will try to answer these questions in the run-up to the tournament. One of her biggest tasks has been to mesh the younger player with their idols.

“The way (the youngsters) handle that challenge is a big consideration,” she says. “The younger players with our seniors are going to be inspired, frightened, pressurised, unsettled, and motivated - without question. It makes them want to be at their best every day. They can’t afford to be mediocre. The benefits can be enormous.

“And, what the senior players have come to realise this year is that they need these players who are often much younger. In the past they could just rely on each other. But, I think the core of the team that have been around for over ten years know that this is the time to rely on some of the younger ones.”

This dynamic seemed to be in good shape at the prestigious Algarve Cup in March where the Americans won the tournament for only the second time in nine tries, beating China impressively 2-0 in the final. Incredibly promising youngster Aly Wagner scored two fantastic goals for the Americans in the process and showed she’s ready to step up to the challenges come September.

Norway coach Age Steen says this about the vaunted U.S., “They have players with 200 national matches, which is unbelievable. And, they are so deep, they could make two very good teams. If someone is injured or not playing so well, they always have someone to bring in. And, they are less likely to get tired in long tournaments. They have some special players.”

Certainly Mia Hamm is still a factor to be reckoned with. Though her first international cap came a full 16 years ago, any player who has tallied an astounding 135+ goals in international competition can’t be discounted. And though she struggled with injuries in 2001, she scored seven goals and had five assists in just nine matches in 2002. She has also won the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year the first two years the award has existed, and she seems to have a new lease on life, something that rival teams do not like to contemplate.

Mia Hamm Birthday:  March 17,1972 Height:163cm   Weight:61kg Position: FW Club:Washington Freedom(USA) Int'l Goals:142 Int'l Caps:239	Aly Wagner Birthday: Aug 10,1980 Height:165cm   Weight:61kg Position: MF Club: Boston Breakers (USA) Int'l Goals:12 Int'l Caps:47	Foudy Julie Birthday:  Jan 23,1971 Height:168cm   Weight:59kg Position: MF Club:SanDiego  Spirit (USA) Int'l Goals:41 Int'l Caps:231	Kristine Lilly Birthday:  Jul 22,1971 Height:163cm   Weight:57kg Position: MF Club: Boston Breakers (USA) Int'l Goals:91 Int'l Caps:255

But, as the strengths of the U.S. team include balance, depth, and versatility, there is no all-or-nothing reliance on Hamm. Foudy, Lilly, Tiffeny Milbrett, Cindy Parlow, and Wagner can all turn a match on their own, even without the opposition’s attention lavished upon the most famous women’s footballer.

In what is shaping up to be the most competitive Women’s World Cup ever, the dynamic and impressive Americans know that if they are playing well, there isn’t another side in the world that can beat them. But, expectations are high at home and abroad and whether a new on-field leader has emerged by the semi-finals may be the telling sign for them.

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