United States

United States

By Richard Pedler

JAKARTA (JP): It is forty years since the host nation's
chances were last written off before the tournament had even
begun. But the United States may become the first World Cup hosts
not to make the second round.

With odds of 50-1 to lift the Cup, the combination of domestic
'US Soccer' misfits without a national league, envious of the
international focus on their European-based stars, will be happy
just to keep national interest alive into the July knockout
stage.

Following a disastrous Italia'90 when three defeats, three
penalties and nine goals were conceded, the US players have a lot
to prove to their own supporters when they start their first
competitive international for four years inside the Detroit
Silverdome.

But experienced midfield runner John Harkes (Derby, England)
remains optimistic: "On their day Switzerland can be really bad,
and they may have peaked too early. Rumania without Hagi running
the show are not so hot... we'll make sure he's closed down."
But even he expects the Colombian attack of Asprilla and Valencia
to rip the flat USA defense apart.

Aided by the recent naturalizations of German-born Thomas
Dooley, 1992 Bundesliga champion with Kaiserslautern; Dutch-born
Willem II striker Ernie Stewart; and South African flair player
Roy Wegerle, now with Coventry, the team looks stronger. Add
winger Cobi Jones' attacking pace to the experience of playmaker
Perez and the US will be attractive to watch, maybe even scoring
as many goals as they concede.

Most of the leaky Italia'90 defense retain their places, with
the addition of the unmistakable ginger goatee of "right-back"
Alexi Lalas, whose singing is about as good as his defending.

One bright new hope to emerge from a team jaded by playing
endless friendly tournaments is Claudio Reyna, skillful
midfielder from the 1992 Olympic team. At 20, Reyna is the
youngest squad member. But he has already turned down a move to
Barcelona so he can finish his studies.

Coach Bora Milutinovic is adept at overcoming the odds with
mediocre teams, and all his tactical knowledge and motivational
powers will be needed to repeat his success in taking close
allies Costa Rica to victories over Scotland and Sweden four
years ago. This time under the media spotlight, he carries the
added burden of US soccer, known as 'that game without hands,' on
his shoulders.

Tomorrow: Las Vegas to Pasedena