America's team: from the sure things to the rank outsiders, here is our look at the players in the hunt for the a spot on the U.S.'s 2002 World Cup roster - Special section: countdown to the cup

Soccer Digest, Feb-March, 2002 by Michael Lewis

IN A PERFECT WORLD, THE U.S. national team lineup would look something like this: Kasey Keller in goal; Carlos Llamosa, Eddie Pope, Jeff Agoos, and David Regis in defense; Chris Armas, Claudio Reyna, Earnie Stewart, and John O'Brien as the midfielders; and Clint Mathis and Josh Wolff up top.

So, during the United States' 16-game qualifying run for the right to play in South Korea and Japan this May in June, how many times did Bruce Arena have this perfect starting 11?

Zilch. Nada. Not even once.

Translated: there is no such thing as a perfect world in soccer.

And here's another important fact of life about the U.S. national team: After that starting lineup, the quality falls off drastically--especially when you move toward the forward line.

As a result, Arena has his work cut out for him as he prepares to assemble his roster for the World Cup. He began to fit the pieces together at a scoreless World Cup qualifying match in Trinidad & Tobago. He continued to look for the right players at an international friendly in South Korea in December before really getting serious at a January training camp that preceded the CONCA-CAF Gold Cup.

Three basic factors determine whether a player makes the starting lineup or even the roster: injuries, suspensions, and being in form.

And considering that the MLS season will be only two months old when Arena calls his final training camp in May, being in form could be the final determination.

Assuming that everyone is healthy and that Arena plays a 4-4-2, this is how the four platoons stack up:

GOALKEEPERS

This is undoubtedly the deepest of all positions, which should give Arena his biggest decision about which player to use: Brad Friedel or Kasey Keller.

During the later stages of qualifying, Arena went with Friedel, who has been playing regularly with his English Premiership club, Blackburn Rovers. Keller, meanwhile, sat the bench waiting for a chance to play with his new team, Tottenham Hotspur.

Keller might be the better keeper, but Arena decided on using Friedel down the stretch. And who could have blamed him? Friedel was "hot," playing regularly, while Keller was cold on the bench.

So, Arena's decision could very well be determined by who's playing come this spring. If Keller can find a way to crack the Tottenham lineup, he could wind up starting in Korea or Japan.

Another intriguing battle will be for the No. 3 goalkeeper position. That spot should go to a younger keeper to gain the experience of attending a World Cup. The likely candidates are a pair of 22-year-olds: Tim Howard of the MetroStars and Nick Rimando of the Miami Fusion.

However, in a telling move, Arena went with Chicago Fire goalkeeper Zach Thornton in the final qualifier, a scoreless November draw at Trinidad & Tobago.

While someone such as Tony Meola would bring a ton of experience to this role--he was a starter in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups--it is unlikely he would be selected as the team's No. 3. Meola certainly wouldn't want to play third fiddle and his age (he turns 33 in February) probably would preclude him playing as well.

It would be quite surprising if Arena picked someone other than a young keeper.

DEFENDERS

Agoos, who has been on the World Cup bubble the past two tournaments--just missing the cut in 1994 and making the team but not seeing any game action in 1998--will finally get an opportunity to perform on the highest world stage. Agoos, who turns 34 in May, probably is too slow to start on the left side. His most important assets are experience and vision, which means he will wind up in the middle, teaming with one of two former D.C. United teammates.

When he is healthy, Eddie Pope is one of the best defenders around. Pope, however, has had to fight injuries over the past few years and underwent knee surgery during the offseason. Carlos Llamosa, who plies his trade with the revived Fusion, has more bite to his game than Pope does. His weakness could be yellow card accumulation.

Expect Arena to stick with both players and use them depending on the tactics, health, and card situation.

The outside backs are the defense's weakness. Right back Steve Cherundolo (Hannover) enjoyed a promising start before his international inexperience was exposed in a distressing 3-2 loss to Honduras. Midfielder Tony Sanneh, another player from Arena's reign in D.C., was used as a stop gap at that spot but played as though he was out of position--which he was.

Many observers thought left back David Regis had become persona non grata after his pitiful performance in the 3-2 qualifying home qualifying defeat to Honduras in September, but the 1998 World Cup veteran returned for the October clincher against Jamaica and to the coach's good graces--at least for now.

The Los Angeles Galaxy's Greg Vanney has stood out in MLS, but was thought to have made too many mistakes at the international level to be considered a reliable option. Yet, after another stellar MLS season, Vanney is expected to have a golden opportunity to earn the left back position in the Gold Cup.