Friday, June 07, 2002
Stewart may be out for South Korea game
But Reyna may return
By RONALD BLUM
AP Sports Writer
SEOUL, South Korea — Earnie Stewart may be out, Claudio Reyna could be back.
Still beaming after their 3-2 upset win over Portugal, U.S. soccer players quickly refocused on Monday's game against co-host South Korea, a match that could clinch a second-round World Cup berth for the Americans.
“We got to enjoy it last night and now it's back to business,” forward Brian McBride said Thursday.
Stewart, one of the Americans' outside midfielders, played a great first half, helping build a 3-1 lead, then came out because of a strained left groin. Reyna, the U.S. captain, missed the Portugal game because of a strained right quadriceps that prevented him from shooting or making long passes.
“Both are making progress, but we will wait and see,” U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. “We are going to plan on them not being ready, and we will see over the next couple of days. With Stewart, it is still too early to tell with the injury being less than 24 hours old, but who knows? It is not likely, but we'll see.”
Cobi Jones, who played the second half Wednesday night, is the likely replacement if Stewart can't play. Pablo Mastroeni, the only player on the U.S. roster not to appear in any of the 16 World Cup qualifiers, played defensive midfield in place of Reyna.
With Reyna, the United States has a much more fluid offense. He sounded hopeful of playing.
“We'll know in the next few days,” he said.
On Friday morning, Arena still was unsure of Reyna's status. “He's one piece of the puzzle. He's 1/11th,” Arena said.
He also hinted at several lineup changes, saying he expected to play different people.
“You can never use the past,” Arena said. “It's who's fit and in form. We've been going with the guys in form.”
When Arena awoke Thursday, he found more than 100 e-mails offering congratulations for the win over Portugal, the world's fifth-ranked team. It was America's greatest soccer upset since a 1950 win over England.
While Portugal's prime minister told the team to hang tough, soccer has a different status in the United States. McBride, when prodded, said the team hadn't heard from the White House.
“No presidential call,” he said.
Back home, where it was still Wednesday night, U.S. soccer fans were celebrating Half a world away Thursday, American players weren't sure how much attention the victory gained for a sport that often exists in relative obscurity back home.
“In the past three, four years, it's been nothing but negative press about the team, and a lot of bashing and people saying soccer isn't even a real sport in this country,” defender Jeff Agoos said. “It's nice to prove the people wrong.”
Even after the big win, “Late Show with David Letterman” ridiculed soccer. Letterman said on Wednesday's broadcast that the show was starting a nightly World Cup highlights segment, then showed about 10 seconds of insignificant midfield passes from the England-Sweden game last weekend.
With the win, the United States and South Korea are both 1-0, with the host nation leading the group on goal difference following its 2-0 defeat of Poland on Tuesday. The Americans likely will need at least one more point — maybe more — to advance to the second round for the first time since 1994.
On Monday in Daegu, known for its afternoon heat and humidity, the Americans will face a South Korean team that played at a much higher level than usual in its opener — lifted by a loud, emotional crowd. According to Arena, the weather will force changes for both teams.
“The game is not going to be played at a frantic pace despite the fitness of the players,” he said.
Notes: Bob Contiguglia, the U.S. Soccer Federation president, said he had had preliminary discussions about the future with Arena, whose contract expires at the end of the year. Contiguglia said talks will continue after the World Cup and after he learns if he is re-elected to a new four-year term. Thus far, he is unopposed. ... The sister of Arena's wife has two adopted Korean children who came to the United States when they were infants and live in Virginia. Jason is now 14 and Emma is nine. “They better be supporting the U.S. team,” Arena said of his nephew and niece. ... Agoos on his own goal: “It didn't cost us, thankfully, and we move on.” ... While South Korean dog food vendors have gotten a lot of attention, two blocks from the U.S. team hotel is Snoopy Place, a theme restaurant and store devoted to Charlie Brown's beagle.
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Stewart may be out for South Korea game
