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Just For Kicks
Bruce Arena, United States National Men's team coach, was satisfied with the recent draw for the final qualifying round for the 2002 World Cup. World Cup satisfying
for U.S. teamHe did not want to open with two away games like the Americans did in the just-completed qualifying round and he did not want to play Mexico during the two periods where teams play twice in five days.
"I think the schedule is fair for everybody. Over 10 games, any advantages and disadvantages are balanced out," Arena said. "I think opening up with the Mexicans is difficult. But it's on our home turf and, hopefully, we choose a site that is good for us."
That game has been scheduled for Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 28, and the Americans wouldn't mind if there was snow for that match.
Arena says it will take 15 to 18 points in this round to finish in the top three and earn a trip to Japan and South Korea, co-horts of the 2002 World Cup.
"I wouldn't be surprised if this competition goes down to the last day," Arena said. "Hopefully, you'd like to believe you have control of things before then."
Also reaching the regional finals of the North and Central American and Caribbean region are Honduras, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and either Costa Rica or Guatemala, scheduled for a Jan. 6 playoff match in the Miami's Orange Bowl.
Two players from Hawaii have been honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Shari Nishikawa (Iolani), a freshman midfielder for Loyola Marymount University, was named to the 2000 NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division I West Region third team.
Cherish Kaaa, (University) a senior striker/midfielder for Linfield College, was selected to the 2000 NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division III West Region third team.
Ricardo Char (Campbell) started 18 of 19 matches for the Pacific Lutheran men's team. The senior defender scored once and had an assist for the 5-14-0 Lutes.
He is majoring in elementary and special education and carries a 3.3 grade point average.
Maikel O'Hanlon (Kaiser), recently finished his four-year career at Haverford (Pa.) College.
A 6-foot midfielder, O'Hanlon played in 54 matches for the Fords, took 20 shots, scored three goals and recorded four assists in his collegiate career.
Jodie Tanga, a sophomore midfielder from Iolani, started 9 of 18 matches for the University of San Francisco. She had two assists this year.
In the final Western Athletic Conference statistics, Hawaii was the only league team not to be awarded a penalty kick during the 2000 season.
The Wahine has no individual leaders, but did finished on top in two team categories, saves with 146 and yellow cards with 29.
There are 1,581 NCAA-member institutions that sponsored soccer teams this past season.
Men's programs can be found at 730 schools, women's programs at 851 schools.
The breakdown is: Division I, 198 men, 274 women; Division II, 171 men, 199 women, and Division III, 361 men, 378 women.
For the high school graduate planing to continue in the sport at the collegiate level, there also are many four-year NAIA schools with teams and a number of two-year junior colleges with programs.
