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New keeper for U.S. Friedel out for qualifier against Costa Rica
Updated: Tuesday April 17, 2001 1:02 PM
NEW YORK (AP) -- Goalkeeper Brad Friedel and forwards Brian McBride and Joe-Max Moore will miss the United States' World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica on April 25. Friedel started the first two games for the Americans in the final round of the North and Central American and Caribbean region -- wins over Mexico and Honduras. But he is in England with Blackburn Rovers, which is trying to gain promotion from the first division to the Premier League. Kasey Keller of Spain's Rayo Vallecano is expected to start for the United States, with the Kansas City Wizards' Tony Meola as the primary backup on the 29-man roster released Monday. The group will be cut to 20 by gametime. McBride (sprained right knee) and Moore (injured calf) also missed the March 28 win at Honduras. Midfielder Claudio Reyna, sidelined for the Honduras game because of a strained groin, is back for the game against Costa Rica, to be played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Among the missing are midfielder Cobi Jones (suspended because of a red card at Honduras) and defender Eddie Pope (sprained left big toe). Players on the U.S. team, which includes nine based in Europe and six from the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer, began reporting Monday in St. Louis. The Americans will shift to Kansas City on Sunday. "This is our first qualifier of the final round with Major League Soccer in season, which makes things easier for us in terms of player selection," said Arena. "Having all of our players playing league games, both in Europe and MLS, is very beneficial. "We are in a good position right now with six points from two games, but we know we still have a lot of work to do in our remaining eight games." The United States (2-0) leads the group with six points, two ahead of Costa Rica (1-0-1), three ahead of Mexico and Jamaica (both 1-1), and five ahead of Honduras (0-1-1). Trinidad and Tobago (0-2) is last. The top three nations qualify for the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea.
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