While most sports fans were sleeping, Casey Bothwell was tuned in to ESPN2 this morning to watch the United States take on Brazil in the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup in Hangzhou, China, at 6:55 a.m. Thursday.

Bothwell, a sophomore midfielder for the ISU women’s soccer team, has been following the Women’s World Cup closely and said she was excited to see the United States one step away from the title game.

“I’ll be up for that one,” Bothwell said of the showdown with Brazil, a team that has scored 13 goals and allowed only two in their four World Cup games. “I like the creativity, so it doesn’t really matter who plays, but I just like watching it.”

Cyclone goalkeeper Ann Gleason has also taken an interest in following this year’s World Cup, although the time zone difference has affected her ability to tune in and watch.

“Unfortunately, because of it being in China, the games are always so early that I haven’t really been able to watch any of the games, but I keep track of scores,” she said. “It’s just really exciting that they’re doing so well and representing the U.S.”

Coach Rebecca Hornbacher suited up with three of the players on this year’s U.S. team when she was a member of the Women’s United Soccer Association’s Boston Breakers in 2001.

“I had the opportunity to play with [defender] Kate Markgraf, [midfielder] Angela Hucles and [forward] Kristine Lilly when I was on the Boston Breakers with them, so I’m very excited to see them do so well,” Hornbacher said.

“I think that the World Cup is very key exposure for the women’s game here in the U.S. Many young players want to emulate the stars on the U.S. team as these women are tremendous role models for our country,” she said. “The U.S. is going to be launching another women’s professional league in 2009, so it’s very exciting to see that there will be this opportunity for our young women to strive for in the future.”

Bothwell agreed this year’s Women’s World Cup, paired with last year’s men’s World Cup, has been good natural promotions for the game.

“I think last year’s men’s World Cup kind of opened people’s eyes to soccer in general – even people back home that I didn’t think were into soccer,” said Bothwell, a native of Highlands Ranch, Colo. “I think the big thing about soccer that people are starting to like is it’s a lot more work than people think it is. It’s a lot more running. It’s fun, I like to watch it and I think more people are starting to like it.”

As a fan of the game, Bothwell has seen the U.S. National Team in person twice, including the 5-4 penalty shootout win over China in the championship game of the 1999 Women’s World Cup at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

“I was actually there in Pasadena. We sat right behind the goal where Brianna Scurry was, and when Brandi [Chastain] ripped off her shirt we were right there – it was awesome,” Bothwell said. “I think it’s just encouraging, especially for female athletes, to see something like that on such a high level.”

In the other semifinal game played Wednesday, Germany beat Norway 3-0 to advance to the finals, where they await the winner of the U.S.-Brazil game. The championship will be played Sunday, Sept. 30 at 7 a.m.

Although Germany presents a strong attack, Bothwell thinks the United States will be able to beat Brazil on Thursday and take care of business in the finals, if they make it that far.

“I think Germany is going to give them a run for their money, but [the United States] has young players and I think they’ll do it,” Bothwell said leading up to the match.

“If [forward] Abby Wambach stays healthy and can stay off the ground, I think [the U.S.] will win it.”