Locals aren’t going crazy for the Cup

Steve Carp

Friday, July 2, 1999 | 9:45 a.m.

For a moment, you weren't sure you were in the right place, it was so tranquil.

But then you notice the piece of paper posted above the bar, which reads -- "WANTED: PUB SOCCER PLAYERS -- Competitive, English and Dutch wingers."

You're at the Crown & Anchor Pub. You're in the right place to watch the Women's World Cup. Or any kind of cup pertaining to soccer, for that matter.

While the U.S. national team is drawing huge throngs to its matches (even President Clinton showed up for Thursday's quarterfinal against Germany at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium), the interest in Las Vegas isn't quite as hot as the weather.

That's not to say nobody's watching. There were about 20 patrons in the Crown & Anchor on East Tropicana Avenue, some of whom were looking at the three television sets carrying USA-Germany on ESPN.

Over at Bally's, the race and sports book had people stopping by to check out the action. Speaking of action, the American women were heavy favorites to beat the Germans, which they did, rallying from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to advance to the semifinals, 3-2. You had to lay $950 to win $100 on the USA.

The books are not doing the kind of business that the NCAA basketball tournament would create. It certainly doesn't come close to matching the past two men's World Cup soccer tournaments in 1994 and 1998, which generated millions in bets.

But as long as there's enough interest, a lot of establishments will post a number.

"There's some interest," said John Avello, the director of race and sports at Bally's. "But frankly, there's not much else right now. Just a few baseball games.

"I think anything that creates interest is worth booking. We're not writing a whole lot, but when the U.S. plays, we see interest pick up."

And as the game began at 4 p.m., interest picked up at the Crown & Anchor. The regulars, most of whom are soccer fans, encouraged Mark, the cook who was filling in as a bartender, to get some volume on the telly and can the music that was blurting out hits from British bands from the 70's and 80's.

"We'd be here anyway," said Bob, one of the regulars, who between sips from his pint of Tennant's was encouraging Tiffeny Milbrett to shoot more. "These gals are quite skilled. I'm impressed."

So was his buddy Mark, who went from being beside himself when Brandi Chastain put the ball in her own net in the fifth minute to ecstasy when Milbrett tied it 11 minutes later.

"You should have been here for the Manchester-Bayern game," he said, referring to the recent European Club championship that saw Manchester United rally late to defeat Bayern Munich 2-1. "It was crazy in here."

But crazy it wasn't. Certainly this didn't approach the men's World Cup scene of a year ago when England played Argentina in the quarterfinals and it was standing room only. Instead, most of the patrons drank and conversed, the game more of a pleasant diversion than anything else.

Just before halftime, four women entered the bar. Turns out they were from England. Were they here to check out the soccer?

"Who's playing?" asked one of the ladies.

So much for that question.

But Raf DeSoto and his wife, Devone, had stopped by specifically to watch the game. The DeSotos have three girls who play for the Jammers soccer club and they've got Women's World Cup fever.

"We've really enjoyed it," Devone said. "I like their style, the way they play. The women realize they're role models and they take it very seriously."

Raf, whose daughters are big fans of Mia Hamm, said the success of the U.S. women does carry an impact to places like Las Vegas, where 10,000 kids are in youth leagues.

"I know a lot of people who are following it very closely," he said. "It makes it realize how important soccer is in Las Vegas. It gives the kids who are playing a goal to shoot for someday."

Meanwhile, at Bally's the future was now. Chastain had redeemed herself by scoring in the 49th minute and the book erupted in cheers. And when Joy Fawcett headed home Shannon MacMillian's corner kick in the 66th minute to put the Americans ahead for the first time all day, the cheers once again rocked the book.

"Hey, these girls can play," one middle-aged spectator said to his buddies, who were congregated in the back, watching the action.

With the win, it means another game and another chance to watch and wager. And it probably means more traffic in the books Sunday when the Americans face Brazil in the semifinals at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif.

"Those three letters make people yell," Avello said, referring to U-S-A. "If they're in it and they're winning, people are going to get excited."

Maybe not Super Bowl-excited, but excited nonetheless.