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