Star-filled U.S. team prepares for unknown in Group A finale

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Hamm. Foudy. Lilly. Fawcett. Scurry. The United States' biggest stars are playing up to their reputations in the Women's World Cup, reinforcing their status as the team to beat.

No one would love to beat them more than their next opponent.

North Korea is one of the tournament's biggest unknowns -- and might also carry one of the biggest grudges. The nation that President Bush singled out as part of an "axis of evil" has no shortage of motivation in its final first-round game.

"They're fully aware of the political ramifications," U.S. coach April Heinrichs said Saturday after her team worked out. "But generally speaking, it is just a game."

The Koreans have generally kept to themselves during the tournament, except to complain about the officiating and the field conditions. They've kept the lowest profile of the four teams in their group, considered the toughest in the tournament's opening round.

A victory or a tie today would send the undefeated United States out of Group A and into the quarterfinals. Mia Hamm, who has re-emerged as one of the world's top players in the opening round, understands how much an upset would mean in the bigger context.

"From my perspective, I'm not going to stand next to somebody and ask them, 'So, what's going on in North Korea?"' Hamm said. "I think all players are proud of who and what they represent, and the opportunity to represent your country means a lot to all of us. If that's a political statement, then yeah, it is."

First, the Americans had to figure out what they were facing, aside from a motivated team. Asked to rate North Korea's top players, Heinrichs said, "I'm not going to do their names -- 10, 7, 11 and 19 are their top players."

That fits with their profile. North Korea has replaced China as the Asian champion for the last two years, but is still relatively unknown because of its status as an up-and-comer.

There aren't many tapes of their games, and the scouting reports are limited. The United States has only four or five of their games on tape -- a tiny fraction in comparison to other opponents.

"It's very difficult to get your hands on the North Korean videotapes," Heinrichs said. "The benefit of our draw is that North Korea is the team we know least, but we've been able to see them play twice."

They know what to expect -- a team that makes precise passes, keeps its composure and will undoubtedly play its best game of the tournament in front of a capacity crowd of 22,555 at Crew Stadium. Sweden and Nigeria play the opening game.

"Every team is motivated to play against us," goalkeeper Briana Scurry said. "We are the reigning champions. We've experienced a heightened level of play from every team that we play, compared to when they play somebody else. That's the case every time we play."

The pressure hasn't been a problem at all. The team's experienced core -- Hamm, Julie Foudy, Kristine Lilly and Joy Fawcett are playing in their fourth World Cup -- played well in first-round wins over Sweden and Nigeria, the other two teams in their group.

"You have a group -- not just one or two or a few of us -- that really thrives in pressure situations," Foudy said. "We don't look at it as pressure. There's a real sense of 'let's show the world how good we are."'

Although Hamm got most of the attention for her dominating play in the first two games, she knows she doesn't have to take over a game in order for the United States to win it.

"It stems from our genuine likeness of each other and wanting to see each other do well," Scurry said. "We just have this incredible desire to win. You have so many different people leading at the same time, so in any given game, who knows who the star is going to be?"