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American Morning
Interview with Julie Foudy
Aired June 17, 2002 - 07:48 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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's bring you up to date on a story that was probably happening while you were sleeping, World Cup soccer seeing a huge upset this morning. The U.S. blanked Mexico in a 2-nil victory, propelling them to the quarter finals of the World Cup. Soccer has never enjoyed the popularity in the U.S. that is in much of the rest of the world, but now the U.S. team's momentum could just help jump start America's interest in the game.
You don't have to jump start the interest of Julie Foudy. She is a captain of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, joining us from Washington with a look at soccer's popularity and a unique program designed to expose disabled children to the game -- Julie, good morning -- good to talk with you again.
JULIE FOUDY, CAPTAIN, U.S. NATIONAL WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM: Hi, Daryn. How is it going?
KAGAN: We are doing great here. Let me guess, you either stayed up late or you got up really early to watch this game.
FOUDY: Can you see the bags under my eyes?
KAGAN: Well, no, you are looking fantastic, but I just know a soccer nut like you wouldn't want to miss this game.
FOUDY: Yes. Yes, it was incredible. It was so fun to watch. I feel that the men totally deserve that. It's great to see them, you know, get to that final round of eight. It's wonderful.
KAGAN: And the key here, not just that this was an underdog situation, but Mexico controlled the ball 70 percent of the time.
FOUDY: Yes.
KAGAN: This was truly a story of great goal keeping on behalf of the U.S. and Brad Friedel.
FOUDY: Yes. Brad Friedel has had a tremendous World Cup, had some wonderful saves against Korea. And the thing that I love about this men's team is they are finishing their chances, and they only had a few in this game, and yet they were able to put them away. So that's really the difference in World Cup soccer.
KAGAN: Let's look ahead to Friday, and that's when U.S. takes on Germany. Can this Cinderella story -- or I don't know what the male version of a Cinderella story, but can this story continue for the U.S.?
FOUDY: Well, you know, the important thing, Daryn, is that, you know, this is wonderful for soccer in general. It's wonderful for women's soccer. It's wonderful for programs that I am involved in with TOPSoccer that I work with Uniroyal tires. So I think everyone benefits, regardless of the outcome. Them getting there is a phenomenal story.
KAGAN: You mentioned women's soccer, so many advances have taken place. And let's be honest. People like you and I have benefited from Title IX.
FOUDY: Right.
KAGAN: It's look at its 30th anniversary now. But there are people out there who are critics that said the advancement and opportunity for young women like us have come at the expense of men's programs that are being canceled at universities across the country.
FOUDY: Yes, you know -- and you know, I disagree with that wholeheartedly. I think they are pointing the finger at Title IX when it shouldn't be. And clearly Title IX is about opportunity. And it's giving young girls a chance to play soccer and like TOPSoccer, which is getting kids with disabilities into the sport of soccer. It's giving them the chance to play soccer.
And so you know, how can you point the finger at that? Finally these young girls are having the chance to play.
KAGAN: You mentioned TOPSoccer. Let us know in the minute we have left how you are doing that, and what kind of disability...
FOUDY: Right.
KAGAN: ... kids are overcoming just to get on the soccer field and enjoy the game.
FOUDY: Well, you know, traditionally they have been on the sidelines watching their brothers and sisters, and for three years, we have been involved with US Youth Soccer on this program to really get communities aware about that there is this opportunity for them to start this program for these kids with disabilities.
And so there are over 10,000 young kids playing with disabilities in over 200 cities. And if people want to get more information, the important thing is that, you know, it's volunteer-based, and so as much as they can get the ball rolling in their cities, it's wonderful. They can go to Uniroyal.com or call 1-800-for-soccer to get information on the program, because these kids, they just love it. It's finally they belong to a team, and they are out there playing and having fun.
KAGAN: Julie Foudy, the clock is ticking on our satellite window here, so we'll have to have you back another time just to talk about the second season of WUSA -- always great to have you aboard.
FOUDY: Thanks, Daryn.
KAGAN: Julie Foudy, thanks for joining us.
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