DRESDEN, Germany — After meeting North Korea in the first round at the last three women’s World Cups, the United States should know everything it needs to about its foe.
Not even close.
Then again, nobody knows much about the North Koreans.
There’s a definite air of mystery surrounding the Americans’ opponent in their World Cup opener tonight.
North Korea plays few games, just five in the last six months, giving opposing coaches little opportunity for scouting. None of the players plays overseas professionally. Only two of the North Koreans have previous World Cup experience.
North Korea is also the youngest team in the tournament, with 14 players 20 or younger — including two 16-year-olds and two 17-year-olds — and just one who is 30. Only five players have 10 or more appearances with the senior national team.
“It’s really difficult when you don’t see much of a team and you’re not familiar with how they play,” defender Ali Krieger said Monday. “We might get some nerves because you don’t know what to expect.”
Goalkeeper Hope Solo said it’s even hard to see footage of their games. The U.S. is basically keying off two recent North Korean games — against Germany and China — and figuring that’s the lineup they’ll face this time out.
The Americans have played North Korea three times, all at the World Cup. The U.S. dominated the first two meetings, winning each game 3-0. But at the 2007 World Cup, the Americans trailed 2-1 before Heather O’Reilly scored to salvage a draw. The North Koreans won the under-20 title in 2006, and were runners-up — to the Americans — two years later.
On the pitch Monday:
• A 30-yard blast from Monica Ocampo gave Mexico a 1-1 draw against England in Wolfsburg in the biggest surprise so far after two days of the three-week tournament.
• A superb curling free kick from Aya Miyama sent Japan past New Zealand 2-1 in Bochum.
