 |
| |
|
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||||
|
Reunited U.S. team together again for exhibition vs. VenezuelaPosted: Friday March 28, 2003 5:29 PMUpdated: Friday March 28, 2003 5:58 PM SEATTLE (AP) -- It's reunion weekend for the U.S. soccer team, with many of the players together for the first time since the World Cup quarterfinal loss to Germany last June. "It's great to see all the guys again," U.S. defender Steve Cherundolo said. "They're friends, and anytime you see a friend again, it's always fun. It's the first time I've seen a lot of these guys from the World Cup team." Players quickly left the team hotel in Seoul, South Korea, last June 22, just hours after the 1-0 loss to the Germans. The roster for Saturday's game against Venezuela includes Washington native Kasey Keller, Earnie Stewart, Brian McBride, Frankie Hedjuk, John O'Brien and Eddie Pope. Forward Jovan Kirovski, who hasn't played for the U.S. team since a 4-2 loss to Germany last March, is returning from the longest absence. "It's good to be back in camp, seeing all the boys from nine months ago," said Stewart, a midfielder who played in the last three World Cups. "I've spoken to a couple. It's always good to see each other and get back in contact." The Venezuelans were a late replacement for Japan, which canceled its U.S. trip, citing security concerns after the start of war in Iraq. Though he had only one week to prepare and his team ranks 69th in the world, Venezuela coach Richard Paez welcomed the opportunity to face the 10th-ranked Americans. "I'm optimistic because I believe in my boys, their ability and skill, despite the late notice," Paez said before the team left Caracas on Thursday. Venezuela, better known for its baseball than soccer, finished ninth among the 10 South American nations in World Cup qualifying. "Our goal is to test ourselves and see if Venezuela has the confidence to play at the world level. It's essential that we play friendlies with teams that have FIFA's best rankings," Paez said. The United States and Venezuela have met once, a 3-3 tie in 1993 at the Copa America, the South American championship. The Venezuelans were 5-12-1 in World Cup qualifying -- their most wins ever. "Over the past two or three years, the Venezuelan national team has made great strides," U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. "I think they are, perhaps, the most improved team in South America." The United States is preparing for June's FIFA Confederations Cup -- where it plays Turkey, Brazil and Cameroon -- and July's CONCACAF Gold Cup, the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean.
|
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||||
