Sitting starters

U.S. likely to rest Akers, Sobrero vs. N. Korea

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Posted: Saturday June 26, 1999 07:02 PM

The U.S. team hopes resting Michelle Akers (left) and others will not jeopardize its success in the tournament. AP

WELLESLEY, Mass. (AP) -- The U.S. soccer team is comfortably at the doorstep of the Women's World Cup quarterfinals. So comfortable, in fact, that several starters almost certainly won't play Sunday against North Korea.

Following a spirited practice at Babson College on Saturday that attracted about 300 fans, the Americans made it clear they are taking the Koreans seriously in their round-robin finale. After all, a spot in the next round isn't quite secured, although it would take something very weird to keep the hosts out of the final eight.

"We'll play to win," said defender Lorrie Fair, a likely starter in place of Kate Sobrero, who has a tender ankle. "But I think Tony will give the starters some rest."

Coach Tony DiCicco said his plans heading into the match at Foxboro Stadium, where more than 48,000 tickets have been sold, were to have Sobrero and star midfielder Michelle Akers on the bench at the outset. That most likely would mean moving defender Brandi Chastain into Akers' spot and having youngsters Fair and Sara Whalen on the back line with veterans Carla Overbeck and Joy Fawcett.

There's a good chance DiCicco will find a way to give some time off to forwards Mia Hamm and Tiffeny Milbrett. Hamm sat out most of the second half of a 7-1 rout of Nigeria, a rough game in which she and Milbrett took a physical beating. If the Americans can build a lead on the surprising Koreans, who are 1-1 after a 3-0 pasting of Denmark, look for Danielle Fotopoulos and Shannon MacMillan to get a lot of time up front.

"We won't do anything that jeopardizes our winning the game and our group," DiCicco said. "But it would be nice to get them in and get some rest for the players who've played three games in eight days.

"But if we need any of them on the field, they will be on the field."

For the United States to fall out of the tournament, it would have to lose by at least five goals and Nigeria would have to beat Denmark by 10. An observer at practice noted that the U.S. men might be capable of such a collapse, but not this group.

She's right. So pencil in the Americans for the quarterfinals in Landover, Md., on Thursday against either Brazil, Germany or Italy. And expect them to be relatively well-rested for that game.

As for the Koreans, DiCicco and his staff admit they don't know a whole lot. They do know Korea likely will advance to the quarters with a victory, and could do so with a tie if the Danes beat Nigeria and don't make up a six-goal differential.

"They have so much to gain," Akers said.

Akers has much to gain by resting. She suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome, so her practice work and game time is closely monitored. She sat out the second half against Nigeria.

"When you go into a game and you spend the half a tank you have in the first half, if you stay on you dig a deeper hole in the reserve," she said. "Anytime you can save some reserve, it's a bonus. It's been a big deal in the preparation for tomorrow and will be for the quarterfinals."

The Koreans complained about the scheduling that saw them play two games on the West Coast before heading east. They probably won't be complaining if they get into the second round in their first World Cup.

 

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