U.S. World Cup fans will be able to watch America's big game on the big screen Friday morning. The U.S. Soccer team's game against Germany will be shown 6:30 a.m. Friday in Oklahoma Memorial Union's Meacham Auditorium.

George Ahmadi, Meacham's audiovisual technician, said the decision to show the game was made because all over the country World Cup games are being shown on big screens. Moreover, important sporting events like OU basketball and football games are regularly shown in Meacham.

"It only made sense to show the U.S. - Germany game on the big screen," Ahmadi said.

"A bunch of people have been showing up in the union every morning to watch the games for the past three weeks. It seemed like a thing to do for such an important game."

Germany has been World Cup champions three times and are a World Cup powerhouse. On only three occasions since the first World Cup in 1930 has Germany not advanced to the second round.

In their last two meetings the U.S. has lost to Germany. Germany beat the U.S. 4-2 at an exhibition game played last March and during the 1998 World Cup Germany played to 2-0 victory.

Aaron Claggett, a master's student in business administration, said that it will be a difficult game for the U.S.

"It's going to be tough to beat Germany," Claggett said . "They're more physical than we are. The U.S. is going to have to use their quickness and try to match their toughness without going too far and earning red cards. The U.S. are underdogs but they have a good chance to win."

Claggett, who has watched every World Cup game, said he would attend the screening of the U.S. - Germany game in Meacham Auditorium. He added that the decision to show the game on the big screen demonstrates the Union's commitment to the student body.

"The Union has been packed in the mornings for the last three weeks with people watching the World Cup," Claggett said. "This is a world class event and watching the game on a bigger screen and in a bigger space will only make the game more exciting," Claggett said.

Claggett said that more international students will probably turn up to watch the game because in the U.S. soccer is not a popular sport. Despite that, he said that if people came they would be in for a great time.

"The more people there, the more fun it will be. I hope a lot of people show up for the game," Claggett said.
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