GERMANY ROMP SETTLES U.S. ROSTER.

Byline: SCOTT FRENCH Soccer

HAMBURG, Germany - The morning following the U.S. national team's 4-1 loss to Germany, coach Bruce Arena privately complained about the timing of the game and his inability to bring in a first-choice roster more fitting for an encounter with a genuine world power.

``Did you not learn something valuable?'' a companion asked. ``Did you not discover that two, maybe three, bubble players are not capable at this level? Did you not confirm one more defender for the World Cup? Do you not know more about the 23 players you will bring to Germany come June?''

Yes, Arena conceded, the magnitude of Wednesday's defeat at Dortmund's Westfalenstadion, and the second-half U.S. performance that had made it so, might have been the best possible outcome in a ``friendly'' in which the result meant far more to the Germans - reeling after its fiasco three weeks earlier in Italy - than it had to his team. He had said as much during the postgame news conference (``This game tells you a lot about some of the players, so we can evaluate these players, and it helps me formulate a roster''), but the loss, understandably, had stung U.S. Soccer's all-time winningest coach.

The Americans arrived in Germany fresh from the news it had climbed to an all-time-best fifth in FIFA's meaningless rankings and following strong performances in victories over an undistinguished Norway team, a Japan side missing its top players, unmotivated Guatemala, and Poland in a snowstorm.

Perhaps, Arena told a Hamburg gathering Thursday, the Yanks had been too impressed with their ranking. Perhaps, goalkeeper Kasey Keller said in the tunnel underneath the Westfalenstadion, they'd thought the victories over Norway and Japan had meant something.

``(The result is) as important as (Germany's) kick in the ass (in the 4-1 loss) against Italy,'' an angered Keller said. ``It's important to us (to know) we're not going to walk into the World Cup thinking, 'We beat Norway 5-0, and we beat Japan - oh, we're great.'

The U.S. has one more game, April 11 against Jamaica in Cary, N.C., before Arena plans to announce his roster. The deadline is May 15, but Arena says he'll unveil it sometime around May 1. He's finalized most of it, with perhaps the third goalkeeper and John O'Brien's fitness the only question marks.

Right-sided midfielder Chris Klein and perhaps defender Jimmy Conrad eliminated themselves from World Cup consideration in Dortmund. Klein, thrown into the fray after Josh Wolff's concussion, was a disaster. Conrad struggled with the level of play. Whatever opportunities remain for them is product of depth at their spots.

Certainly finished is striker Brian Ching, whose chances had been damaged by Taylor Twellman's performances in the domestic matches. Ching on Wednesday lacked not just the ability to contend with the Germans, but also the appropriate effort.

Gregg Berhalter, far worse than central-defense partner Conrad, likely will survive because of experience: He has played most of his career in Europe - he's captain of second-division club Energie Cottbus - and started two games at the 2002 Cup.

Machinations of the roster:

--Goalkeeper: Keller (Borussia Moenchengladbach) is the clear No. 1, and he'll almost certainly be backed up by England-based Marcus Hahnemann (Reading) and Tim Howard (Manchester United). Among domestic keepers, former UCLA star Matt Reis (New England) is the best bet.

--Defenders: The starting quartet is set, injuries aside: from right to left, Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege), Eddie Pope (Real Salt Lake) and former UCLA star Eddie Lewis (Preston North End).

Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), another UCLA product, provides depth on the wings, and Carlos Bocanegra, also a Bruin, makes the team despite dwindling time at Fulham. Cory Gibbs (ADO Den Haag), out with a knee injury most of last year, made the team in Dortmund.

Arena said the great lesson of the 2002 Cup was the need for defensive depth, in case of injuries or yellow-card suspensions. So Berhalter makes the team. Does Conrad (Kansas City)?

Injuries have killed Galaxy backs Chris Albright's and Todd Dunivant's chances. Heath Pearce (FC Nordsjaelland) isn't ready. Left back-of-the-future Jonathan Spector (Charlton Athletic, on loan from Manchester United) is possible but unlikely.

--Midfielders: U.S. personnel likely leads to a 4-5-1 formation, and the best-case scenario has Claudio Reyna (Manchester City) and O'Brien (ADO Den Haag, rumored to be headed to Chivas USA) teamed underneath DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven) on the left, Landon Donovan (Galaxy) in attack and whoever Arena stations on the right wing.

O'Brien, one of six players to start every Cup game four years ago, seems constantly injured, and he's been available sparingly this season. If he's close to healthy, he's a must for the roster. If he's limited, Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado) steps in next to Reyna, who also is fragile and is recovering from a separated shoulder after returning earlier this month from a broken ankle.

Bobby Convey (Reading) looks like Beasley's understudy. Wolff (Kansas City), normally a forward, can play several positions; he could get the job on the right, the American's most problematic area.

The other starting possibility is Clint Dempsey (New England), who missed the Germany game after the Revolution suspended him for a fight in training with teammate Joe Franchino. Dempsey lacks Wolff's skill, but he combines superbly, and his awkward style confounds foes.

Winger Pat Noonan remains in the hunt despite injury, but his New England teammate Steve Ralston, critical during qualifying, hasn't played this year because of injuries. Either Ben Olsen (D.C. United), who played for Arena at the University of Virginia and in D.C., or Kerry Zavagnin (Kansas City) could provide depth at holding midfielder.

--Forwards: Brian McBride, a deft target player enjoying a sensational season at Fulham, will start up top, with the smaller, faster attacking midfielders running off him. Eddie Johnson (Kansas City) has the tools, but he's still trying to regain his form after missing most of 2005 with a foot injury. Twellman (New England) is a pure finisher and could be valuable off the bench.

Wolff is McBride's likely partner in a two-forward formation.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Pablo Mastroeni (25) could start at holding midfielder for the Americans at the World Cup.

Michael Sohn/Associated Press