The Players Are the Thing

Soccer Digest, Feb, 2001 by Scott Plagenhoef

TO THE MAJORITY OF SOCCER nations, the World Cup is the most important event on the calendar. For the United States national team--with a tenuous hold on the public's attention at best--simply qualifying is much more important.

England, the Netherlands, and Spain, have each been forced to sit out soccer's quadrennial event, but didn't lose the passion of their fans. The U.S., with its mainstream media circling like vultures--if they can be bothered to notice the sport at all--needs every premier event it can get, and none is more premier than the World Cup.

Coach Bruce Arena has 10 games to find the right blend of players to lead the U.S. to the Far East. We'd like to assist him with his selections.

Goaltenders (3): It's as simple as one-two-three: Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel, and Tony Meola are a trio of keepers from which any coach would love be able to choose. Each has performed in the World Cup before, and Arena should have no problem calling on any of them to do so again.

Defenders (6): At first glance this is a weak position, with few automatic choices. But if individually there aren't any definites, there is certainly depth.

Veterans Jeff Agoos and Carlos Llamosa prove that intelligence and positional play are as important as speed in the back. The U.S. suffered when the quicker Tony Sanneh and Frankie Hejduk were called into the team, while the relatively lead-footed Agoos and Llamosa excelled--and each should be kept on the roster for the next round of qualifiers.

Playing alongside Agoos and Llamosa should be Gregg Berhalter and Steve Cherundolo, provided each is healthy and getting regular playing time with his club team.

Health is also a problem for Eddie Pope, but if he is available, he is steady and dependable. Greg Vanney and David Regis should be considered to provide cover for any of the above five.

Midfielders (8): Either the team's strength or weakness, depending on who shows up on any given game day.

When Claudio Reyna is back from suspension, he'll be inserted in the middle of the field with Chris Armas. Both are solid, but neither can carry the team. The speedy Earnie Stewart has earned a place on the roster, as has the young and versatile John O'Brien.

Cobi Jones has been disappointing, but his speed is valuable off the bench. Ditto for Ben Olsen, and each can play on either flank.

Jovan Kirovski, Richie Williams, and Chad Deering all seem to have missed the chance to impress, which leaves the left-sided Eddie Lewis and the right-sided Chris Klein for the remaining roster spots, perhaps even for roles in the starting lineup.

Arena seems to like physical wings, and Klein's strength is a plus--provided he isn't a defensive liability. Lewis, at one point a lock for the starting lineup, is on shakier ground after a series of poor performances.

Diego Guiterrez and Matt McKeon are other options. Guiterrez is a heady, two-way player who could benefit from Lewis' struggles. McKeon would provide cover for Armas at defensive midfield.

Forwards (6): Once there were too few attacking options--now though, there may be too many. Brian McBride is a lock on top, but suddenly Joe-Max Moore, Clint Mathis, Landon Donovan, Josh Wolff, and Ante Razov are all viable options--and all should be called in to the team.

Moore, Mathis, and Donovan can all play in the midfield if Arena opts to go with five there, and each is a better option attacking from that withdrawn position than Reyna, Kirovski, Stewart, or O'Brien.