14 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, June 3, 2002 US. ready to prove that it belongs in the soccer world, By Bob Hunt Daily Sports Editor On Wednesday, the Americans will go to battle in Korea. But these Americans aren't like most groups sent from United States to take on the world's best. These Americans are the underdogs. These Americans are laughed at by the world. And most likely, you don't care. To say that the U. S. soccer team, which will embark on its fourth straight World Cup early Wednesday morning, isn't very highly respected or sup- ported would be an understatement. Despite having its most talented and experienced team ever, the Ameri- cans aren't favored by most betting serv- ices to win any of its three first-round games. To the rest of the world, that's just great. While the United States is both an economic, military and athletic powerhouse, soccer is an equalizer. Although countries like Argentina and Italy couldn't beat America in a war, they sure could on the soccer field. To many immigrants in this country, the fact that the United States has won just one World Cup game in the past 52 years is great too. In many ethnic communities in America's cities, game day is when the Mexicans take the field, not the Ameri- cans. In many cities, a Mexico-Ecuador match would draw twice as much as a " United States-Nigeria match. To the rest of America, the fact that these games will be played in the middle of the night here in the states is fine as well. The level of professional soccer has grown tremendously in this country over the past 10 years when a bunch of college and semi-pro players qualified for the 1990 World Cup in Italy. However, not only could the majority of Americans care less about soccer, but also the sport has been a source of ridicule. People, without knowing much about the sport, say soccer is too boring, too dull, too slow. Sports- writers reiterate these beliefs by devoting whatever column space newspapers put toward the game to how people shouldn't bother with the sport. But despite all this, the Americans will play on. With just about everything against it, the United States team takes this World Cup as an opportunity. Once every four years, the World Cup gives countries a chance to prove themselves unlike any other event in sports. Rarely in sports do countries get a chance to put up their best against another country's best in major team sports. The World's best basketball and hockey players play each other in the Olympics, but many of the best players - such as Shaquille O'Neal and Patrick Roy - decide not to partici- pate because the Olympics is not as important as their regular seasons. In soccer, the World Cup is king. No matter what people think of American soccer, our best professionals get to play against former World Player of the Year Luis Figo and Portugal's best Wednesday morning. Twen- ty-two men, one ball, 90 minutes. It does- n't matter that only a handful of Americans play in the World's best leagues or that the Americans finished last in the World Cup four years ago. The Americans are looking to prove. Looking to prove that the rest of the world should respect Ameri- 4 4 Oppenheimer Properties, Inc. Sept. to Sept. 02/03 Leases Still Available...Call Soon! Call (734)995-5575 or email:tparon@earthlink.net 821 Packard (corner of Greenwood) 8 bedrooms large, 3 stories lots of parking new carpet & blinds 3 and 1/2 bathrooms + laundry (separate 2 bedroom apt. included) $4100 + utilities The Michigan Crew finishes season baily Display Staff 4..A1 is proud to elgnm l me COUnry announcei e week ByAlbert Kim Grande Final and instead had to row in 0S E Daily Sports Writer the Petite Final. "We just didn't have our race yester- Being in the city that hosts the Indy day morning," junior coxswain Helen 500 didn't seem to be enough for the Dalis said. Michigan women's rowing team to start The second varsity boat was happy its engines this weekend, as it finished with its performance though. eighth in the nation at the NCAA "I think we rowed great today, and Championships. It was the lowest finish executed the race plan," Liz Nelson ever for the Wolverines at the Champi- said. "We put together the best race we 4r 'onships and was especially surprising had in us." Sponsored by: gmafo's after being runner-up last year. Going into yesterday, it was still any- "I think that we certainly had chal- body's title, and Michigan still had hope lenges this year. Of course our expecta- with two boats in the Grande Finals. tions are much higher," Michigan coach But it was not meant to be. SCOREKEEPERS Mark Rothstein said. "I don't think it's a The first varsity eight finished third step back for the program. We're going in the Petite Final to finish ninth over- to come back next year even better." all, while the second varsity eight fin- All three boats for Michigan strug- ished fifth, and the varsity four finished gled on the first day, putting Michigan fourth with a huge push in theirsprint. in a difficult position. The first varsity Michigan finished with 40 points, 27 eight boat was forced to row in the points behind Brown, the NCAA T $1.0 0ICA L, B repechage heat after failing to qualify Champions. E directly for the semifinals, while the "The depth has gone up," Rothstein L A second varsity eight and first varsity said. "There are more good teams now. UKI K M four boats failed to qualify directly for If you're a little bit off, you pay for it." the finals and were forced to row in For Michigan, it was a bittersweet \EES repechage heats as well. The first varsi- finish. The team accomplished a lot, c Q j / SACK ty eight boat was able to pull off a considering the talent and experience thrilling photo finish by edging Wash- that it lost to graduation. Despite team F R ID A Y , _Q% ington State to advance to the semifi- unity struggles, the Wolverines pulled it nals on Saturday. together at the end to finish strong, with S| 1 "We did get off to a bad start, but a Central Regional Championship and a they all came back and rowed well," second-place finish at the Big Ten 27 Taps! Full Menu! Rothstein said. Championships. gm On Saturday, Michigan's second var- "We had six freshman, and I think 75 Cent sity eight and varsity four boat fought for them, (NCAAs) is a great experi- to the finals with strong finishes in their ence," Rothstein said. "Overall, it was a D T L S repechage heats, but the first varsity good learning experience for all our eight was unable to advance to their kids." \# \n DAILY $PORTS: WE COULD 00 A LOT BER SATURDAY 310AYNARD-995.i0(2i& OVERWTHPROPERID) 506 W.William 5 bedrooms 2 full bathrooms + laundry hard wood floors between 3rd and 4t" streets $1900 + utilities 411 Washtenaw 4 bedrooms across from CCRB parking for 2 1 and 1/2 bathrooms DSL & Cable $1900 + utilities 828 Brown St. 4 bedrooms parking for 8 1 and 1/2 bathrooms + laundry athletic campus location $1900 + utilities 607 Mary Court 4 bedrooms refinished hardwood floors new carpet & new blinds athletic campus location $2100 + utilities