REYNA ONE OF THE FEW BRIGHT SPOTS.

Byline: SCOTT FRENCH SOCCER

NUREMBERG, Germany -- It was a sad end to Claudio Reyna's international career, forced off the field with a knee injury in the 2-1 loss to Ghana that ended the United States' World Cup run with a 0-2-1 record and 25th- place finish.

The Americans were a disappointment, but not Reyna. The 32-year-old midfielder, who announced his international retirement after the Ghana loss, is the finest player ever to wear a U.S. jersey.

He grades out highly, and so do a few other Americans. Each player, in descending order:

Claudio Reyna: In his fourth World Cup, provided foundation and direction for the U.S., was its chief playmaker and best defensive midfielder, the Ghana takeaway aside. When he left, the Yanks were finished. Grade: A-.

Clint Dempsey: Right-sided midfielder played without fear in a solid Cup debut. Grade: B+.

Jimmy Conrad: Former UCLA star impressed in the second half against Italy and the full game against Ghana. Grade: B.

Kasey Keller: Big stops against Italy saved an impressive draw, but there was little he could do on the goals surrendered. Grade: B.

Oguchi Onewu: A promising display, but his clearances often led to trouble. Grade: B.

Steve Cherundolo: Solid efforts against Italy and Ghana, showing the quality that has made him a Bundesliga starter. Grade: B-.

Ben Olsen: Reyna's injury enabled Olsen to make his World Cup debut, and he improved as the game proceeded. Grade: B-.

Bobby Convey: Midfielder was U.S.'s best crosser and dead-ball specialist. Always looked to attack. Grade: C+.

Pablo Mastroeni: The red card was harsh, but his gritty play in midfield was crucial in the draw with Italy. Grade: C+.

Brian McBride. His bloodied face is the enduring image of the American campaign. Grade: C+.

Carlos Bocanegra: Solid after taking over at left back following Eddie Lewis' meltdown vs. the Czechs. Grade: C.

Eddie Johnson. Hoped for a European contract, but disappointed at crucial time against Ghana. Grade: C-.

John O'Brien: Never healthy enough to make an imprint. Grade: C-.

Eddie Pope: Can't argue with expulsion against Italy -- players with yellow cards can't be leaping into tackles -- and he was beaten too often in the box. Grade: C-.

Landon Donovan: This was the platform for America's top talent to wow the world, and he failed. Neither aggressive nor confident, a fine showing against Italy aside, couldn't come close to big Cup expectations. Grade: D+.

Eddie Lewis: Horrendous as left back against the Czechs, but looked more at home as a true winger against Ghana. Grade: D+.

DaMarcus Beasley: Once the most promising U.S. player, Beasley is struggling big-time, and his European and national team careers are in jeopardy if he can't solve it. One great moment -- setting up Dempsey's goal vs. Ghana -- in an otherwise poor World Cup. Grade: D.

Josh Wolff: Saw 15 minutes at the end of the Czech loss. Grade: I.

Others: Defenders Chris Albright and Gregg Berhalter and backup goalkeepers Marcus Hahnemann and Tim Howard saw no action.

Arena still the best choice for U.S.

COLOGNE, Germany - Juergen Klinsmann on Monday made it clear, sort of, that he has no interest in coaching the United States once the World Cup is over. Whether that's how he truly feels is something else entirely. To express interest in another job while guiding the host country through what is turning out to be a special World Cup campaign would be ridiculous.

Klinsmann earlier said he's love to stay on as Germany's coach, continue the work he's started in restructuring the way things are done -- implement more of the American approach he learned working under former Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid and U.S. boss Bruce Arena. But speculation is rampant that if Arena chooses to step down as U.S. coach, Klinsmann is the best possible successor and would strongly consider making the move.

From the American point of view, Klinsmann, who lives in Huntington Beach, is an attractive choice because of his pedigree, especially as a player, because he understands America and American players -- and, most of all, because there aren't many other options.

The U.S. needs to develop more and better coaches, and domestic options for the job, if Arena departs, aren't particularly attractive. Candidates could include Four MLS coaches -- Chivas USA's Bob Bradley, who assisted Arena at D.C. United and has worked with him with the national team; the Galaxy's Frank Yallop, who just ended a stretch as Canada's coach; Columbus Crew boss Sigi Schmid, a former UCLA coach who assisted Bora Milutinovic during the 1994 World Cup; and New England coach Steve Nicol, whose boss with the Revolution is U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati, the Revs' director of soccer.

There are dozens of foreign options, depending on where Gulati and Co. would like to turn.

Dutchmen are popular, but the two best choices -- Guus Hiddink and Dick Advocaat -- are spoken for. Hiddink, who took Australia to the second round of the World Cup, takes charge of Russia's national team. Advocaat, a former U.S. Soccer adviser who succeeded Hiddink with South Korea, just signed to coach Russia's Zenit St. Petersburg.

Another tantalizing idea would be Luiz Felipe Scolari, who guided his native Brazil to the 2002 World Cup crown and has taken Portugal to these quarterfinals. He would be expensive, but possibly worth the price.

Milutinovic and 1998 coach Steve Sampson are available, but there won't be much interest.

The best options remains Arena, and no doubt Gulati and USSF general secretary Dan Flynn will be meeting with the coach to see what can be done to keep him with the team. Whatever Arena's price, it should be met.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1) Claudio Reyna was one of the Americans' strongest performers in an otherwise disappointing U.S. showing in the World Cup.

Andreas Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images

(2) Juergen Klinsmann

Box:

Etc.