2004 Olympics: Soccer

Brazil stands in way of U.S. women's second gold medal in three tries

08:39 PM CDT on Wednesday, August 25, 2004

By JEFF MILLER / The Dallas Morning News

ATHENS, Greece – Tonight will mark the final stage appearance for the "Fab Five" of U.S. women's soccer. All that remains is to determine which portion of the stage, or medals' stand, that they'll occupy.

Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Kristine Lilly, Brandi Chastain and Joy Fawcett have been at the core of the U.S. squad that has been among the world leaders in the sport starting with the initial Women's World Cup in 1991. They and their teammates will try to win their second Olympic gold in three tries when the United States, ranked second in the world, faces No. 6 Brazil.

There's a chance it'll actually be the Fab Four. Foudy suffered a sprained right ankle during the semifinal upset of top-ranked Germany on Monday night. Foudy was on crutches on Tuesday, and her status is considered to be a game-day decision.

Foudy, 33, has played 261 games for the national team without missing a start because of injury. In the unlikely event that she can't play, she probably will be replaced in midfield by Aly Wagner.

First-time U.S. Olympic coach April Heinrichs had avoided making this Olympic trip a crusade for the retiring veterans – until the aftermath of the 2-1 overtime win over the Germans. Then, she welled up and took that very route.

"They paved the road for everybody to follow," she told reporters after the game.

The road during these Games included a 2-0 victory over Brazil in pool play. Brazil coach Rene Simoes accused the Americans of playing a dirty game.

"Now we have to win," Simoes was quoted as saying after Brazil's 1-0 upset of No. 4 Sweden in the semifinals. "This is our duty."

Brazil, like the United States, has played in all seven major women's competitions during the past 14 years – four Women's World Cups and three Olympiads. Tonight's game will mark its highest finish, besting the bronze from the Atlanta Games.

Christaine, 19, leads Brazil with five goals during the tournament. While the United States has the "fab five," Brazil boasts its "wonderful one." That's Pretinha, 29, who scored the goal against Sweden. She is a former Washington Freedom teammate of Hamm's in the Women's United Soccer Association.

E-mail jmiller@dallasnews.com

U.S. vs. Brazil, women's soccer final, Athens, Greece, 1 p.m. (Ch. 5, Ch. 39 in Spanish)