11:16 AM PDT on Thursday, October 2, 2003

Compiled by TERESA BELL, kgw.com Staff

The World Cup is expected to bring not only hundreds of fans, but millions of dollars to Portland.

Now that Team USA has earned a spot in the semifinals at PGE Park, many are already making plans to watch the Sunday game but some tickets are still available.

Head groundskeeper Jesse Smith, right, and his assistant Cory Kaufman install a goalpost at PGE Park. (AP Photo)

Members of the University of Portland soccer team have been watching the Team USA games especially close, since some former UP players are on the team.

They say the dedication has already paid off for former UP players Tiffany Milbrett and Shannon MacMillan.

"It's kind of a great tradition they started here in Portland so it's neat to see what they've don since they've been at Portland,” said UP soccer player Wanda Rozwadowska.

“We are very ecstatic because from what I've known in the short time I've lived in Portland, this is the soccer state," said UP soccer player Lindsey Huie.

And spectators won’t just be from the Portland area. Soccer fans are expected to pour in from all over the world.

Since the World Cup started, Portland businesses started noticing the extra cash coming in.

“It's affected our business already,” said Kell’s Irish Pub owner, Gerard McAleese. “But once the impact of America hits… I mean America is our biggest fan club here of course. It'll be a big weekend.”

“We've noticed that more than 50 percent of people coming to games are from outside Portland,” said Drew Mahalic with the Oregon Sports Authority.

The Oregon Sports Authority expects the World Cup to bring well over $7 million to Portland’s economy. But fans say more important than money, the matches bring awareness to a great city and a great sport.

"It's really important that we make womens' soccer grow as much as possible,” Mahalic added.

PGE Park will host a double-header Thursday when Canada plays China and Germany takes on Russia in the quarterfinals.

The winners of those games will advance to the semifinals with Team USA. The U.S. team’s semifinal match is set for Sunday at PGE Park.

Tickets are still available for all the games. Fans can buy them online or at the box office.

(KGW reporter Keely Chalmers also contributed to this article.)