It appears the Rose Bowl, which has ambitiously campaigned to host the Women's World Cup final in October, will be passed over in favor of the new Home Depot Center in Carson, according to Rose Bowl general manager Darryl Dunn.

The United States Soccer Federation is expected to announce the venues and dates for the 2003 Women's World Cup this week, possibly by Wednesday.

The Rose Bowl, which hosted the 1999 title game, was believed to be a strong contender once again. But that was before the rave reviews of the 27,000-seat Home Depot Center by U.S. soccer and FIFA officials following the Galaxy's home opener there against Colorado on Saturday.

Dunn said Monday that conversations with U.S. soccer officials have not been encouraging.

"We don't expect to get it; all signs are indicating Carson," said Dunn. "There hasn't been enough communication with U.S. officials to believe we're under serious consideration. We're going to communicate again with them today until a final decision is made. But it appears as though they're going to the Carson."

The Women's World Cup tournament, which will be held in September and October, was awarded to the U.S. on May 25 - less than a month after FIFA moved the event from China because of the SARS virus.

Galaxy vice president and general manager Doug Hamilton seemed confident that the Home Depot Center will be making room for a Women's World Cup final.

"This facility was built to showcase our game in its best light," said Hamilton. "To have the pinnacle of the women's game in Southern California and not play in this facility I think would be a disservice to the athletes and the event."

Despite the Rose Bowl's long and successful history with soccer, Dunn admitted that the investment the Anschutz Entertainment Group has made in the MLS and U.S. Soccer was difficult, if not impossible, to compete against.

AEG financed the $140 million facility, which is going to be used to develop all U.S. national age group teams.

AEG also is the primary investor of six of the 10 MLS teams, including the Galaxy.

Perhaps the determining factor is that AEG and the Hunt Sport Group are the primary investors in Soccer United Marketing (SUM), which owns the television rights to the men's and women's World Cups in the United States.

"The Carson facility is phenomenal for the sport of soccer," said Dunn. "It's everything the sport needs to be successful in this country."

Everything, said Dunn, except having enough seats to allow the 90,000-plus fans that attended four years ago to enjoy the same experience.

"That's the sad part. There are going to be true soccer fans who aren't going to have enough money, and families that can't take their children to the games because there won't be enough tickets available, or because the tickets are priced too high," said Dunn.

Other leading contenders to host World Cup games include RFK Stadium in Washington; Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.; and Crew Stadium in Columbus.