DATE=OCTOBER 9, 2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-308436

TITLE=WWC SOCCER W-U-S-A (L-ONLY)

BYLINE=JIM STEVENSON

DATELINE=WASHINGTON, DC

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The 1999 Women's World Cup soccer tournament was hugely successful, drawing record crowds and building unprecedented interest in women's sports. The event helped to create the W-U-S-A, the first women's professional soccer league in the United States. But the league found itself in financial trouble, and as V-O-A's Jim Stevenson reports, is perhaps seeking a re-birth following this year's World Cup.

TEXT: Top players from around the world came to the United States to be a part of the W-U-S-A. While the level of talent mirrored the 1999 World Cup tournament, it failed to keep the fans coming to the games. Dwindling attendance forced the W-U-S-A to announce just five days before the start of this year's World Cup that it was folding.

But league president Tony DiCicco [de-CHEE-ko] says the move has sparked new interest in financial sponsors.

// DiCicco act //

Making the announcement when we did has brought a lot of corporate interest. I think there has been enough positives (in the World Cup) and enough things that have started where they see the benefit of our league. Even in a case where we (the United States) do not win the championship, I think there is still a very good chance that we will get support corporately.

// end act //

Players in the W-U-S-A also had an active role in the operation of the league. U-S team captain Julie Foudy says the players are aware of what needs to happen to attract a good fan base that is still in the United States.

// Foudy act //

The challenge of the league is it is not a three-week once every four years (event). You have to sustain it over years and years and years. And that is the next step we have to get to. We are not expecting to be playing in 80-thousand seat stadiums. But there are enough kids out there that you can draw good crowds consistently.

// end act //

While the U-S women will not win the World Cup this year, the tournament has attracted large crowds, giving hope to a revived W-U-S-A league. The United States plays Canada in the third place game Saturday in Carson, California, just south of Los Angeles. Germany and Sweden will take part in an all-European final Sunday, also in Carson. (SIGNED)

NEB/SPTS/JIM/PT