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U.S. Entering Unknown

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The Associated Press

Published: September 11, 2007

CHENGDU, China - The American women are about to meet soccer's 'mystery' team.

That's North Korea, which the United States faces today in its opening game of the three-week World Cup.

Only a few U.S. players have faced Asia's top team and FIFA's No. 5-ranked side. And that was four years ago - when the Americans won 3-0 - in the last World Cup. In the only other game between the two, the U.S. also won 3-0 in the 1999 World Cup.

'No one has seen them play, so it's very easy for the reputation to keep growing and growing and growing about how good they are,' defender Kate Markgraf said. 'That has to be based on something.'
North Korea and the top-ranked United States make up half of Group B - the toughest in the tournament - with No. 3 Sweden and African champion Nigeria completing the foursome.
Defending champion Germany is favored in Group A, Norway in C, and Brazil, Denmark and China are expected to tussle in Group D.

'They do have this amazing reputation, it's almost like a ghost I feel like,' Markgraf added. 'You've heard about amazing they are, and we are just antsy to try to play against one of the best teams in the world and see how we do.'

The U.S.-North Korea matchup may be the best of the 16-team tournament. Both teams attack relentlessly, their defenses are organized and North Korean striker Ri Kum Suk is a match for American strikers Abby Wambach and Kristine Lilly.

'She's a true superstar player,' Ryan said of Ri. 'She has the same kind of impact on her team that Abby Wambach and Kristine Lilly have on our team. She's great on the dribble, great in the air like Abby and she creates like Lil.'

Ryan has been preaching about North Korea to his relatively young team, which is likely to start five players who have not played in a World Cup.

'We know they are very quick, they turn on a dime,' defender Christie Rampone said. 'They are definitely a counterattacking team that tries to catch you sleeping.'

Germany Sets Record In 11-0 Opening Win

SHANGHAI, China - Defending champion Germany sent a strong message with its record-breaking 11-0 victory Monday over Argentina in the women's World Cup.

The margin of victory was the largest in the women's World Cup, and the goals were the most by a single team.

Veteran forwards Birgit Prinz and Sandra Smisek combined for six goals - three each - as the Germans dominated every part of the Group A match over their smaller opponents.

Prinz's 12th overall goal in the World Cup finals equaled American Michelle Akers' record for World Cup goals and surpassed the previous German record of 11 by Bettina Wiegmann.

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