[Oldsocfan]

Now that the dust has settled, I would like to keep this as a sticky thread so that we can share any profiles on our National Team players.

The first one I came across, not surprisingly, was captain America!

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/national/2002-04-23-reyna.htm

 

[Oldsocfan]

Today, we have one of my personal favorite NT players, John O'Brien!

http://www.dailysoccer.com/article.php?Article=91183

 

[Herndonite]

I laughed when I read the interviewer's comment: "It could be like Lance Armstrong's performance in the Tour de France. Now everyone in America is watching cycling!"

Umm...when is the last time any of you sat down to watch cycling? :howler:

 

[Oldsocfan]

Let me think!



Ummm..........


Hmmmmmmmmm..............



Erm, never!

 

[Kerry]

I watched Sumo Wrestling today. Does that count? Jackamoe Jack Edwards did the play by play of that, too. Is he the next Marv Albert or what?

Does anybody else notice that Eddie Lewis could be the lost child of George W. Bush?

 

[Herndonite]

SoccerTimes Take a Look at David Regis

http://www.soccertimes.com/usteams/2002/apr28.htm

 

[Herndonite]

Pablo Mastroeni

ONE-ON-ONE WITH PABLO MASTROENI

A member of the 2001 MLS Best XI, Pablo Mastroeni has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top. The only member of the U.S. World Cup Team who did not play in a World Cup qualifier, Mastroeni debuted for the U.S. on June 9, 2001, against Ecuador. A key member of the 2002 Gold Cup-winning side, he started in six of the USA's first 11 matches in 2002. The U.S. recorded a shutout in all six matches. After a brilliant year with the Miami Fusion in 2001, Mastroeni was the first player selected in the 2002 MLS Allocation Draft. We sat down to talk with Pablo about the World Cup, the new changes in his life and more...

Continue: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=15618

 

[Herndonite]

Earnie Stewart

USA Today has a very nice profile of Earnie Stewart:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/national/2002-05-08-cover-stewart.htm

 

[Herndonite]

In case you haven't discovered, the Washington Post has a very nice World Cup section. They are profiling a different WC country each day. Well worth checking out.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/sports/leaguesandsports/soccer/menworldcup/

 

[Lazindo01]

Who was the goalie in Uruguay game ? he's a greta goalie, world class player ... Brad Friedle ?

 

[Herndonite]

I can't tell if you're serious or joking.

In case you are serious, Brad Friedel is a world-class goalie. He plays for Blackburn in the English Premier League and saved many games for them this past season.

The problem for the U.S. is that it has another world-class goalie and Kasey Keller and it coach Bruce Arena's unhappy chore to have to pick between them.

Glad you liked Friedel's performance today. No doubt he made Arena's decision that much harder.

 

[Herndonite]

Clint Mathis

The New York Times has a profile of the U.S. striker. You need to have a NY Times password (which you can get for free) to read the article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/12/sports/soccer/12MATH.html

 

[Herndonite]

Demarcus Beasley

A short piece on the star of Sunday's match:

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/13/sports/soccer/13VECS.html

 

[Oldsocfan]

Even Chinaglia says something about out NT that most of us already know:

http://www.mlsnet.com/content/02/giorgio0509chinaglia.html

 

[Herndonite]

Clint Mathis--Interior Decorator?

Get a tour of Mathis' bachelor pad in this USA Today article:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/cup2002/2002-05-16-mathis.htm

 

[Oldsocfan]

Eddie Pope

Arguably, one of our best defenders ever.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/cup2002/2002-05-24-pope.htm

 

[Herndonite]

Bruce Arena

An interesting look at Bruce Arena and him infamous big mouth. Personally, I'm a huge Arena fan and think his straight talk is wonderful.

http://www.soccer365.com/US_home/Features_Interviews/page_38_32767.shtml

 

[Herndonite]

Claudio Reyna

The Washington Post's profile of Reyna emphasizes his subtle contributions to the team in the midfield. Nothing too new but a nice piece:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14251-2002May26.html

 

[Oldplayer]

Hern, I read that article. It's very good. I like what Arena says about truthfulness. Apparently the players believe him. I hope he's not jacking the goalies, but really is undecided, even though most of us are not.

POPE, ONE OF OUR BEST DEFENDERS EVER?

I think Pope has to show us something in this World Cup before he can lay claim to a title anywhere near this headline. 1998 was a major disappointment. He can redeem himself but I just hope his reputation is not greater than the substance of his playing. As an example, if Agoos or Sanneh would have made the mistake Pope made in the Holland game, the soccer forums would have lit up with detractors saying to get them out of there NOW. Pope's reputation saves him from such criticism (and criticism may be unjust on review of the play).

I just hope Pope plays up to his potential for the first three games. I am starting to get used to the idea of us playing in the second round!

Oldplayer

 

[Oldsocfan]

Another article on Bruce Arena:

http://worldcup.espnsoccernet.com/story?id=212714&lang=us