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CNN Live At Daybreak

U.S. Team Hopes to Take Impossible Dream One Step Farther

Aired June 21, 2002 - 06:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The U.S. hopes to takes its impossible dream one step farther. The American soccer team begins its World Cup battle with Germany in about an hour and a half. At stake: a place in the semifinals.

CNN's Elaine Quijano is with some rabid soccer fans at Washington, D.C. -- good morning, Elaine. Where are they?

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know what? They are just outside the door. We are told there are about 15 people lining up, and some of these folks have been out here since 4:30 this morning, OK. There are not that many of them, but they sure are serious -- good morning to you, Carol.

You know, the action is taking place halfway around the world in South Korea, but hundreds of fans are expected here at RFK Stadium in the nation's capital to watch on big screens as the U.S. team takes on Germany in the World Cup quarterfinals.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

QUIJANO (voice-over): The fans began arriving at the crack of dawn, bearing flags and T-shirts supporting the U.S. team.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We are proving a point that we have made it so far, and I think we might have a chance of winning today.

QUIJANO: The frenzy started in the game against Portugal, a powerhouse team that was expected to breeze by the United States. It didn't. In a surprise tie against the host team, South Korea, and after a loss to Poland, the Americans came back in a big way, stunning soccer fans in a huge upset against Mexico.

And now, the Americans are facing the Germans. Three-time World Cup champions, they have got the experience and skill level that make them the favorites, at least on paper. Intimidating to some, but not to the U.S. say those in the know, like the head coach of Washington's professional soccer team, the D.C. United.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They are not frightened of Germany. That's part of this beautiful naivete that the American team is embroiled in. They are not afraid of anybody.

QUIJANO: And for a country that doesn't even call the sport football, like the rest of the world, just getting this far means earning a little respect among soccer's elite.

We are just waking up to this sport, you know. This is Mount Everest in front of us now. They can get over it. They have challenged the biggest mountains in front of them in Portugal, in Korea, in Mexico, and they kissed them off. So right now, they are looking at another monumental challenge, and I believe that it will meet it head-on.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

QUIJANO: He certainly is enthusiastic. Now, this is the very first time that RFK has opened up for World Cup action. They are not sure exactly how many people they will get, but they did field about 1,000 calls yesterday. In any case, match time is 7:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

We are live in Washington. I am Elaine Quijano -- Carol, back to you.

COSTELLO: Oh, that's so exciting. I just want to read you a quote from somebody who played on the U.S. national team from '84 to '97. He said: "The world knows the American athlete is superior. Now, it's only a matter of time before we develop the world's best soccer teams, the world's best players."

And I have to believe, Elaine, that that's what they believe in Washington, D.C., too, with the coach there.

QUIJANO: That's exactly right. That's exactly right. There is so much confidence, because the fact is, no one expected them to get this far in the first place. They truly are the underdogs, and as you heard the coach of the D.C. United say, the Americans are not afraid of anybody at this point. They say bring them on.

It doesn't matter that the Germans are bigger and maybe a little bit more experienced, a lot more experienced, and they have the better skills. It doesn't matter, says the coach of the D.C. United. It doesn't matter say the folks who have turned out here. They say the Americans have the heart, have the passion and have the drive to win today -- Carol.

COSTELLO: That's right. They have got something to prove. Thank you -- Elaine Quijano reporting live for us from RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

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