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Looking ahead Young U.S. team caps best year with 2-0 win vs. El SalvadorPosted: Sunday November 17, 2002 5:24 PMUpdated: Sunday November 17, 2002 6:32 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) -- While congratulations are in order at the end of a very good 2002, coach Bruce Arena's mind is already set on 2006. The U.S. national team wrapped up its most successful year Sunday with a 2-0 exhibition victory over El Salvador, a game featuring a young roster that offered an early gauge on prospects for the next World Cup in Germany. The United States finished 13-6-1 this year, setting a national record for victories and advancing to the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time in 72 years. "The last couple of months, we've received a lot of praise and all, and I'm grateful for all that," Arena said. "But enough already. We've had our congratulatory tour, and now we just want to get on with the business of starting all over again." Ben Olsen, returning after four operations on his right ankle, scored his first international goal in more than 2-1/2 years. Sasha Victorine scored in just his second U.S. team appearance, and four players made their international debuts. "For the first international match for a number of guys, it was good," Arena said. "We had a good week of training. It was good to get to know a new group." One thing hasn't changed: RFK Stadium retains its away-game atmosphere when a Central American nation comes to town. Local Salvadorans were the louder partisans among the 13,590 rain-soaked fans, with blue and white flags outnumbering the stars and stripes. Olsen's goal came in the 31st minute, a strong header from 10 yards into the right side of the net on a cross from Chris Klein on the right wing. Olsen's defender slipped on the wet turf as the ball arrived, but Klein's cross was so well placed that it probably made little difference. It was Olsen's fourth international goal, but his first since March 12, 2000. The D.C. United midfielder was essentially out of soccer for 16 months with the ankle injury before returning to MLS in late July. "It's good to put on the uniform again," Olsen said. "I've been excited all week to get back out here. This capped it off pretty well." Victorine scored in the 60th minute on a give-and-go with Clint Mathis, who looked slimmer than he did at the World Cup, where he was criticized for being out of shape. The Los Angeles Galaxy star slid his shot between the legs of goalkeeper Juan Gomez from 8 yards. The entire U.S. team consisted of MLS players. Starters Wade Barrett and Taylor Twellman made their first international appearances, as did substitutes Kyle Martino and second-half goalkeeper Nick Rimando. Dan Califf, Victorine and starting goalkeeper Tim Howard were making their second appearances. El Salvador also fielded a young team, mostly under-21 players in preparation for the Central American and Caribbean Games, which begin next weekend in San Salvador. It was El Salvador's first competitive game since the Gold Cup in January. Arena will hold the next U.S. team camp in January, again consisting of MLS players, with tentative plans for three exhibition matches in the first three months of the year. "The youth on this team is exciting," Olsen said. "You saw it out there -- there's a lot of talent." SummaryUnited States 2 El Salvador 0 - friendly international result Scorers: Ben Olsen 31, Sasha Victorine 60 Halftime: 1-0, Attendance 13,590 Teams: United States - 18-Tim Howard, 3-Wade Barrett, 4 Carlos Bocanegra, 23-Dan Califf, 12-Sasha Victorine, 25-Pablo Mastroeni, 14-Ben Olsen, 17-Chris Klein, 21-Landon Donovan, 11-Clint Mathis, 20-Taylor Twellman El Salvador - 1-Juan Gomez, 5-Victor Velasquez, 3-Marvin
Gonzalez, 6-Ramiro Carballo, 19-Alfredo Pacheco, 16-Mauricio
Quintanilla, 20-William Torres, 18-Gilberto Murgas, 14-Rudi
Corrales, 9-Diego Mejia, 17-Josue Galdamez
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