Getting A Kick Out Of Women’s Soccer (NAPSA)—A recent survey, commissioned to gauge American attitudes toward soccer, found that the most memorable single moment in women’s sports came in 1999—when the U.S. Women’s National Team won the FIFA Women’s World Cup and kicked American soccer right into the spotlight. “For me, it was not about that moment alone,” said Brandi Chastain, the U.S. Women’s National Team defender who scored the winning goal and famously removed her shirt and exposed her sports bra in celebration. “It was about the dedication and teamwork that led up to that final kick.” The survey, commissioned by Philips Electronics, an official partner of the FIFA Women’s World Cup USA 2008 and U.S. Soccer, found that the overall popularity of women’s soccer in the United States is growing, with muchof the credit likely linked to the Women’s team. The survey also found the following: * Soccer is perceived to be the most popular sport for girls under the age of 18; * A large number of American adults have a soccer ball in their house—overall 41 percent—but among younger adults (18 to 44), nearly half (49 percent) have a soccer ball. Additionally, twothirds (66 percent) of those households that have children 18 and younger have a soccer ball in the house; * Forty-seven percent of Americans most associate the U.S. with women’s soccer, while only 13 percent of Americans associate the U.S. soccer star Brandi Chastain is actively recruiting fans and young soccer players—especially women. U.S. with men’s soccer, instead choosing Brazil as the country most linked to men’s soccer; and * Despite the enthusiasm for the sport, most Americansarestill not clear on the elusive “offside” rule in soccer and chose an incorrect description. However, adults surveyed from FIFA Women’s World Cup contender countries Sweden, Germany and Francecorrectly described the rule as referring to when an offensive player without the ball has fewer than two defenders between herself and the end line when theball is played forward by a teammate. Americans can test their soccer knowledge and root for their defending champions as Chastain and her teammates compete in the FIFA Women’s World Cup USA 2003. Fans can also watch, replay and find additional information on the matches online via Philips Matcheast at www.fifa worldcup.com.
