United States<\/p>\n
By Richard Pedler<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): It is forty years since the host nation's
\nchances were last written off before the tournament had even
\nbegun. But the United States may become the first World Cup hosts
\nnot to make the second round.<\/p>\n
With odds of 50-1 to lift the Cup, the combination of domestic
\n'US Soccer' misfits without a national league, envious of the
\ninternational focus on their European-based stars, will be happy
\njust to keep national interest alive into the July knockout
\nstage.<\/p>\n
Following a disastrous Italia'90 when three defeats, three
\npenalties and nine goals were conceded, the US players have a lot
\nto prove to their own supporters when they start their first
\ncompetitive international for four years inside the Detroit
\nSilverdome.<\/p>\n
But experienced midfield runner John Harkes (Derby, England)
\nremains optimistic: "On their day Switzerland can be really bad,
\nand they may have peaked too early. Rumania without Hagi running
\nthe show are not so hot... we'll make sure he's closed down."
\nBut even he expects the Colombian attack of Asprilla and Valencia
\nto rip the flat USA defense apart.<\/p>\n
Aided by the recent naturalizations of German-born Thomas
\nDooley, 1992 Bundesliga champion with Kaiserslautern; Dutch-born
\nWillem II striker Ernie Stewart; and South African flair player
\nRoy Wegerle, now with Coventry, the team looks stronger. Add
\nwinger Cobi Jones' attacking pace to the experience of playmaker
\nPerez and the US will be attractive to watch, maybe even scoring
\nas many goals as they concede.<\/p>\n
Most of the leaky Italia'90 defense retain their places, with
\nthe addition of the unmistakable ginger goatee of "right-back"
\nAlexi Lalas, whose singing is about as good as his defending.<\/p>\n
One bright new hope to emerge from a team jaded by playing
\nendless friendly tournaments is Claudio Reyna, skillful
\nmidfielder from the 1992 Olympic team. At 20, Reyna is the
\nyoungest squad member. But he has already turned down a move to
\nBarcelona so he can finish his studies.<\/p>\n
Coach Bora Milutinovic is adept at overcoming the odds with
\nmediocre teams, and all his tactical knowledge and motivational
\npowers will be needed to repeat his success in taking close
\nallies Costa Rica to victories over Scotland and Sweden four
\nyears ago. This time under the media spotlight, he carries the
\nadded burden of US soccer, known as 'that game without hands,' on
\nhis shoulders.<\/p>\n
Tomorrow: Las Vegas to Pasedena<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/united-states-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }