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Reyna looking to lead United States into last 16

NEW YORK (AP) -- Claudio Reyna was on the field for every minute of the United States' three disappointing World Cup matches four years ago.

This year, the team's captain and best player is hoping he'll be playing every minute for a side that returns to the second round.

The United States got that far at the 1994 World Cup on home soil, but lost 1-0 to Brazil. The talented midfielder was also member of that squad, but he did not play because of injuries. In 1998, the U.S. scored just one goal in France while losing all three first-round matches.

Reyna, who has also represented the United States at two Olympics, is the key to a team with plenty of talent on the front line, including newcomers Clint Mathis, Josh Wolff and Landon Donovan, and veterans Joe-Max Moore and Brian McBride -- the only American to score a goal four years ago.

His ball control can be superb and his vision on the field is excellent, but if Reyna's game is off or the marking is stifling, the entire team can suffer.

In the qualifying campaign, Reyna set up one goal and later created the play that led to a penalty kick, pushing the Americans to a 2-1 win over Jamaica and a spot in the World Cup finals.

In his prime at 29 years old, Reyna is the most successful American export and a veteran of several top leagues in Europe, including stints in England and Germany, and 2 1/2 years at Glasgow Rangers.

In September, Reyna was taunted by a fan of archrival Glasgow Celtic. The fan, who was later banned indefinitely by Celtic, imitated an airplane in a gesture mocking the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

"It's disgusting to think about it because of how horrible the tragedy was and how someone could stoop that low," Reyna said after the 2-0 home loss in the Old Firm match.

Named U.S. men's player of the year for 2000, he moved from Rangers to Sunderland for US$6.3 million in December -- after winning two Scottish Premier League titles and one Scottish FA Cup.

"I thought Claudio showed what a good player he is and was composed on the ball and can get into goalscoring positions for us," Sunderland coach Peter Reid said after Reyna scored in his debut to beat Premier League rival Everton 1-0.

In the summer of 1998, Reyna became the first American ever to captain a European team when he was given the armband by Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.

Reyna, whose father is Argentine and mother is Portuguese, grew up in New Jersey but lived in Argentina for a short time as a youngster. His wife, Danielle Egan, is a former member of the U.S. Women's National Team.

He got his first international cap in 1994 and played for the U.S. team at the 1995 Copa America. He's now approaching 100 international appearances and has scored eight goals.

At the university level, Reyna and coach Bruce Arena led the University of Virginia to three straight titles from 1991-93. Arena is now the U.S. national team coach.

 

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