TONY DICICCO On the actually process of choosing [the U.S. WWC] team “This was a process that started after the 1996 Olympics. In 1997 we had a tremendous amount of players and in 1998 we narrowed that player pool down. The last couple of weeks, the majority of the roster had been set except for a couple of bubble spots with five or six players competing for two spots.” On the bubble spots “With regards to our goalkeeping situation we had to make a decision of whether to go with youth or with experience. With the Olympics being next year we went with experience over youth. Another difficult decision was what youth players to select to be part of the 1999 U.S. Women’s World Cup team. The last two spots on the roster came down to Aly Wagner, Michelle French, Susan Bush, Sara Whalen and Danielle Fotopolous. In 1996 it was very clear-cut who would make the Olympic team but it has been a very complicated and difficult decision process on selecting this World Cup team.” On the youth players on the 1999 U.S. Women’s World Cup Team “We have some of the best youth players in the world on this world cup team. Kate Sobrero, Tiffany Roberts, Lorrie Fair, Cindy Parlow and Danielle Fotopolous all bring a dimension to this team that makes it one of the best U.S. teams ever assembled. I am very excited about our younger players and their potential to be contribute to this team’s success.” On the USA’s first opponent in the 1999 Women’s World Cup, Denmark “We have known since the draw we would be playing them first. We have been scouting them and know that they will be a very difficult opponent to open the tournament against. We need to know everything about them and be prepared for a battle. We must get a win and three points against Denmark.” TIFFENY MILBRETT On the difference between the ’96 Olympic team and ’99 Women’s World Cup team “This year’s team we have an infusion of youth players that are strong mentally and physically. Any one of our players can come off the bench and do the same job that a starter does, we didn’t have that in during the Olympics.” On the USA’s attacking game “During the early part of the year, we did not have a lot of games and we got away from what we were used to doing. We need to keep doing what we do best and that is going after players. We are finally back to doing that and it has shown in the last five or six games.” BRANDI CHASTAIN On the difference between the 1991 and the 1999 Women’s World Cup teams “We have the same type of athletes as in 1991, but we have grown over the years as a team and as individuals — that has added another dimension to our game that we didn’t have in the past. The younger players on this team bring energy, enthusiasm and excitement to the game. When I first stepped onto the training session in the 1980s I was a nervous wreck. I didn’t know what to expect and there was no one there to help me or guide me through the process. I was definitely not prepared for what they had in store for me. I was a young soccer player and had no idea of what they expected of me. But now, the younger players on this team our surrounded by veterans who are there to help them learn the ropes of what it is like to play in a World Cup and what they need to do away from training. The younger players have a jump-start from what we had in the ’80s.” KATE SOBRERO On making the 1999 U.S. Women’s World Cup team “It is a dream come true. I am very excited and the hard work has paid off. I started on the U.S. Under-20 women’s national team and just worked hard to get a chance of making the World Cup team. After Portugal I felt pretty good about my chances of making this team.”