SA Consensus

USA ’99 Champion: USA
Runner-up: China
Third place: Norway
Fourth place: Germany
MVP: Mia Hamm (USA)
Leading scorer: Tiffeny Milbrett (USA)

Pete Bailey

1. USA
2. Norway
3. China
4. Germany
MVP: Mia Hamm (USA)
Leading scorer: Tiffeny Milbrett (USA) Comments Record crowds at Stanford and the Rose Bowl should help to will the U.S. to the title over its archrivals, but with limited depth up front, an injury to Mia Hamm or Tiffeny Milbrett could leave Tony DiCicco ruing his decision to jettison Debbie Keller.

Dean Caparaz

1. USA
2. China
3. Germany
4. Norway
MVP: Ailing Liu (China)
Leading scorer: Marianne Pettersen (Norway) Comments The U.S. won’t lose at home to Germany or (again) to China. Key injuries for Norway (Gro Espeseth) and Brazil (Roseli) put them out of contention. Tiffeny Milbrett could emerge as the world’s best. Should Michelle Akers get hurt or the U.S. blows easy chances as it did in the spring, watch out.

Scott French

1. USA
2. China
3. Norway
4. Germany
MVP: Kristine Lilly (USA)
Leading scorer: Tiffeny Milbrett (USA) Comments Germany and China throw strong challenges at their hosts, but the Americans reclaim the world title with the flair of Manchester United, overcoming the Chinese on stoppage-time goals by Lilly and Milbrett. This time, Coach Tony DiCicco one-ups goalkeeper Briana Scurry, celebrating the victory by running nude through Old Pasadena.

Paul Kennedy

1. USA
2. Norway
3. Germany
4. China
MVP: Mia Hamm (USA)
Leading scorer: Sun Wen (China) Comments The United States grinds out the wins to recapture the World Cup. There’s nothing fancy about this team, which struggles to come up with ideas to break down packed defenses. It doesn’t matter: Tony DiCicco’s women draw capacity crowds everywhere they play, accelerating talk of a women’s pro league.

1. USA
2. China
3. Germany
4. Norway
MVP: Julie Foudy (USA)
Leading scorer: Tiffeny Milbrett (USA) Comments China may have a slightly stronger team, but with six days between the semifinals and final, the U.S. should have the legs, brains and heart to beat this formidable foe. African teams will dazzle with speed and skill, and Norway’s injuries will prove its undoing.

Amparo Sim=n

1. USA
2. China
3. Germany
4. Norway
MVP: Mia Hamm (USA)
Leading scorer: Tiffeny Milbrett (USA) Comments Mexico may not be able to handle the world-class teams of Germany, Brazil and Italy, but goalscorer Maribel Dominguez and stylish midfielder Laurie Hill will leave an impression on the fans รน and help popularize the women’s game south of the border.

Poul Swain

1. USA
2. China
3. Norway
4. Germany
MVP: Mia Hamm (USA)
Leading scorer: Tiffeny Milbrett (USA) Comments The U.S. doesn’t get tested until the semifinals, when Milbrett scores on a goalmouth scramble late in the game to eke out victory over Germany. China has a tougher route and feels the effects against the Americans, who pummel the Chinese goal with shots and run out a 3-0 win.

Mike Woitalla

1. China
2. USA
3. Norway
4. Germany
MVP: Sun Wen (China)
Leading scorer: Mia Hamm (USA) Comments The draw gives the United States an easy route to the final, because China and Norway go into the opposite bracket. But an early test against one of these contenders would have been helpful preparation for the final, where China will await with confidence after beating Norway.