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THE vote was the closest in history, 12-11 in favor of Germany hosting the 2006 Men's World Cup. England and Morocco were eliminated in the first two rounds. Germany and South Africa each had 11 votes. FIFA could have
made history againIn the final round vote by FIFA's 24-member executive committee, New Zealand's Charles Dempsey decided to abstain. Another voter switched to Germany.
Had Dempsey voted for South Africa, something he told South African bidding team member Emmanuel Maradas he would do if England was eliminated, then the 12-12 tie would have been broken by FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
It was no secret Blatter favored South Africa. Before the vote, he had implored FIFA to "Make history! Take the World Cup to Africa!"
There were indications some voters weren't ready to send the World Cup to Africa for the first time after awarding the 2002 event to Asia, also a first.
MIDFIELDER Tab Ramos, who hasn't played on the U.S. national team since the 1998 World Cup, has been added to the roster for the Americans' opening two qualifiers for the 2002 tournament.
Ramos, 33, played in the 1990, '94 and '98 World Cups, but has been plagued by injuries. Recently he has shown the form he displayed in the early 1990s playing for the New York/New Jersey MetroStars.
U.S. coach Bruce Arena also had to make two other changes because of injuries.
MetroStars midfielder Clint Mathis and Los Angeles Galaxy defender Greg Vanney were added to the roster as replacements for midfielder Ben Olsen and defender Jeff Agoos, both from the D.C. United of Major League Soccer.
Olsen has been bothered by a sprained left ankle. Agoos had surgery on his right knee.
THE first World Cup qualifying match for the United States men against Guatemala will be shown live by ESPN July 16.
ESPN originally planned to air the match on tape had the match been played July 15.
A TOURNAMENT with the strongest four-team field in women's soccer history highlights the United States National Women's team summer tour of Europe.
The World Cup champions will compete in the round-robin event against World Cup runner-up China, host Germany, and Norway -- the only country with a winning record against the U.S.
The Americans open against Norway July 16, faces China July 19, and plays Germany July 22 in a match that will be televised live throughout Germany.
The U.S. team then travels to Norway for the first time for two matches. Norway beat the Americans twice in the United States this year, but the U.S. team then topped Norway on March 18 to win the prestigious Algarve Cup in Portugal.
Overall, Norway owns a 13-11-1 mark against the U.S.
The teams will play a "Midnight Sun" game, with kickoff set for 10:30 p.m. local time in Tromso July 27. Stadium lights will not be needed because of nearly continuous sunlight at that time of year in Tromso, 115 miles north of the Arctic Circle.
They also play against Norway July 30 in Oslo.
AUSTRALIA routed the Cook Islands, 17-0, in the opening round of the recent Oceania Nations Cup.
Kuwait beat Bhutan, 20-0, in an Asian Cup qualifying match in February. This is thought to be the most goals scored in an international match.
The World Cup record was set by Iran in a 17-0 win over the Maldives in a qualifier in 1997.
