August 26, 2004

U.S. Olympic Team comments after Gold Medal game

Head Coach April Heinrichs

We are just elated. We had a belief and a unity within this team that made the difference. A belief not only in those players on the field, but in every player on the team, both on and off the bench, that we had the ability to do whatever it would take to win this competition. Brazil was a phenomenal team and Marta is certainly not only one of the best players in the world, but one of the best player's the women's game has ever seen. For us to beat them a second time in this tournament, and score four goals on them when no one else in the tournament could score one, and to have beaten them three times overall this year, is a tremendous accomplishment.

The thing we talked about all year long was that we have found ourselves behind in some games and it was important for us to find it within ourselves the ability to come from behind. We showed we could come from behind this year, and in the semifinals against Germany when we gave up the late goal and some people might have thought the pressure would intensify, we never hesitated or doubted our ability to bounce back. We had the same feeling tonight against Brazil. When they scored to tie the game and were applying some pressure, we were OK and knew we were going to get another one back. That is the belief this team had in themselves.

Personally I'm thrilled to be winning my first world championship as a coach, I couldn't be happier. I couldn't be happier for the veterans and for them to go out on top, which is the way it should be. It is just so appropriate. I'm happy about the contribution of the young players, and they have said all along that 'We are ready,' and they showed that the future is very bright for our next generation of players. I don't want to say 'I can't believe it,' because it is not that 'I can't believe it,' but we have come so close a couple of times. So it is just very wonderful to be able to celebrate this knowing we accomplished what we set out to do.

Kristine Lilly

It is just amazing, we push every single game and we've done it in the semis and the finals. And it just shows what we are made of: big hearts.

Team Captain Julie Foudy

I just hear everyone on the sidelines cheering. We are such a team and that is what I love about these guys. There was never a doubt in our minds that we could pull this off. Even as dead tired as we were, we pulled it out. It's unbelievable, this group.

Joy Fawcett

This is a great family and I'm so proud of everyone. We couldn't have done it without every single person. Everyone gave everything and that is what we needed. Heck, yeah. It was a burden. But we all carried well and we all carried it together and that is how we won.

Mia Hamm

This team never gave up and every single player made a difference. These guys deserve it. They always put the game first. They always thought about leaving a legacy and leaving a better place for all the young girls that are in the stands. These girls deserve it and I am so proud to be on this team. I'm just one person. America should be proud of this team. We are going to enjoy it.

Abby Wambach

No words to describe the emotions of the winning goal This is for them. It is for these players going through their last world championship: Brandi Chastain, Kristine Lilly, Joy Fawcett, Julie Foudy, Briana Scurry, Mia Hamm ... all these players that have done so much for this team. This is for them.

Brandi Chastain

What we talked about was the confidence we have in each other. The supreme belief that we will win no matter what. It gets rough out there but this team is not about quitting. It is about moving forward and being progressive and loving each other and doing anything to make our team successful. This is a team people should be proud of.

For me personally, both of my parents died recently, and I think it is about family, like Joy said. And when you can share it with all these people here waving flags, that is the family. We are not an exclusive group, we are an inclusive group and we want everyone to enjoy this and we are so happy we can bring this home to America.

U.S. Olympic Team arrives in Greece

The squad arrived today and will spend a few days at the Athlete's Village. The temperature there is normal for this time of the year, low humidity and in the mid nineties Fahrenheit.

Their team media has sent the following first impressions.

U.S. captain Julie Foudy at her third Olympics.

It's awesome. The USOC did a great job of putting together the ACG for our athletes, although I lost a game of UNO there this afternoon. The Athlete's Village is great. We went to the cafeteria and there are lots of desserts, tons of chopped fruit, and more desserts. They even have ice cream to-go and I think it's open 24 hours. What more could you want? You see people everywhere walking around in their national team gear. Some of the rookies had no idea it was this big. They asked me if the Olympic experience got old. I told them it never gets old, first time or third time around.

U.S. forward Abby Wambach at her first Olympics.

It's overwhelming. It feels good to finally be here and feel what it's like. We have had so many different things and visions in our minds, but nothing compares to the reality of being here. It is thrilling to see so many different athletes and feel how much hard work everyone has put in to get here.

| COMMENTARY | US TEAM NEWS | W-LEAGUE | UNIVERSITIES & COLLEGES |
| WUSA News | CLUB TEAMS | COACHES CORNER |
| WOMEN IN SOCCER | CLASSIFIEDS | WOMEN'S LINKS |