WORLD CUP '98: MEET THE U.S. TEAM.Byline: SCOTT FRENCH 12 JEFF AGOOS Jeffrey ("Jeff") Alan Agoos (born May 2, 1968 in Geneva, Switzerland) is a former American soccer defender, and one of the all-time appearance leaders for the United States national team. D-MF Current club: D.C. United D.C. United is a professional soccer club located in Washington, D.C. that participates in Major League Soccer. The club's official nickname is the "Black-and-Red" and home uniforms are black and white with accents of red. The team's name refers to Washington, D.C. Ht.: 5-10 Wt.: 175 Age: 30 College: Virginia. Hometown: Dallas The lowdown low·down n. Slang The whole truth: gave us the lowdown on what happened at the party. lowdown low (inf) n he gave me the lowdown on it → : Error-prone left back with a good left leg but not much speed who figures to spend most of the Cup on the bench. He was one of the last cuts from the 1994 squad, burning his gear in frustration, but has been a regular since. The switch to a three-man defense and the emergence of David Regis David Regis (born December 2, 1968), is a former French-American soccer defender, who played for the United States at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and was an unused substitute at the 2002 World Cup. has cost him playing time, but he can move to the left wing in a pinch. 17 MARCELO BALBOA Marcelo Balboa (born August 8, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American former soccer defender who played in the the 1990s for the U.S. national team, becoming its captain. After retiring from playing, he has worked as a soccer announcer for ESPN and ABC. D-MF Current club: Colorado Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 175 Age: 30 College: San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. State. Hometown: Cerritos Lowdown: Has represented the U.S. more than any other player, but the change in tactics has forced him to the bench. The central defender played in all seven games at the 1990 and '94 Cups, but figures to play a reserve role - as a late substitute for Thomas Dooley Thomas Dooley (born May 12, 1961, in Bechhofen, Germany) is a retired German-American soccer defender and defensive midfielder, a long-time member and former captain of the United States national team. Dooley, born to a German mother and a U.S. or as defensive insurance - this time around. Strong in the tackle but lacks speed and is sometimes reckless. 4 MIKE BURNS
Current club: New England New England, name applied to the region comprising six states of the NE United States—Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The region is thought to have been so named by Capt. Ht.: 5-9 Wt.: 165 Age: 27 College: Hartwick. Hometown: Marlboro, Mass. Lowdown: Workmanlike work·man·like adj. Befitting a skilled artisan or craftsperson; skillfully done. workmanlike Adjective skilfully done: a neat workmanlike job Adj. 1. outside back is enjoying superb form, but Regis' arrival could force him to the sidelines. He's a solid support player, reliable and versatile, and could play on a wing if needed. The only U.S. player to participate in all four FIFA FIFA International Association Football Federation [French Fédération Internationale de Football Association] FIFA n abbr (= Fédération Internationale de Football Association) → FIFA f championships (U-16, U-20, Olympics and World Cup). 15 CHAD DEERING Chad Deering (born September 2, 1970 in Garland, Texas) is a retired American soccer midfielder. Deering spent his professional career in the Germany as well as with the U.S. based Major League Soccer and Major Indoor Soccer League. He earned 18 caps with the U.S. MF Current club: VfL Wolfsburg VfL Wolfsburg is a German sports club based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony and is best known for its football club which currently plays in the country's first division Bundesliga. (Germany) Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 165 Age: 27 College: Indiana. Hometown: Plano, Texas Plano (IPA: /ˈpleɪnoʊ/) is a wealthy suburb of Dallas, Texas, located to the north, mainly within Collin County, but also extending into Denton County. According to the 2000 U.S. Lowdown: A technically gifted yet simple defensive midfielder who has gained much from eight years in Germany This is a list of years in Germany. See also the timeline of German history. For only articles about years in Germany that have been written, see .
5 THOMAS DOOLEY D-MF Current club: Columbus Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 168 Age: 37 College: None. Hometown: Homburg, Germany Lowdown: The Americans' finest import, a natural leader - he is the team captain - and solid defender who played in midfield in '94 but will be the starting sweeper this time around. Son of an American serviceman who grew up in Germany and was discovered by U.S. Soccer in 1992. A 12-year German League veteran, including nine in the Bundesliga. 1 BRAD FRIEDEL Bradley ("Brad") Howard Friedel (born May 18, 1971 in Lakewood, Ohio) is an American international football (soccer) goalkeeper who plays for Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League. GK Current club: Liverpool (England) Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 202 Age: 27 College: UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX . Hometown: Bay Village, Ohio Bay Village is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. The population was 16,087 at the 2000 census. Geography Bay Village is located at (41.484193, -81.926581)GR1. Lowdown: Big, gifted goalkeeper who backed up Tony Meola Tony Meola (born Antonio Michael Meola on February 21, 1969) is an American soccer goalkeeper who played for the United States national team at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, and from 1996 to 2006 played in Major League Soccer, the U.S. in 1994 and will do likewise for Kasey Keller Kasey C Keller, (born November 29 1969 in Lacey, Washington, United States) is a football goalkeeper, who plays for Fulham of the English Premier League. He is a four time World Cup participant and one of the first American goalkeepers to become a regular in the English Premier this summer. The 1992 Olympian joined Liverpool in December after four previous attempts for a British work permit failed, then dislodged David James David James may refer to:
2 FRANKIE HEJDUK Frank Daniel "Frankie" Hejduk (born August 5, 1974 in La Mesa, California) is an American soccer player who currently plays midfielder and defender for the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer, where he is team captain. MF Current club: Tampa Bay Tampa Bay, inlet of the Gulf of Mexico, 25 mi (40 km) long and 7 to 12 mi (11.3–19 km) wide, W Fla., separated from the Gulf by numerous small islands; it receives the Hillsborough River. St. Ht.: 5-8 Wt.: 155 Age: 23 College: UCLA. Hometown: Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lowdown: A junior national surfing champion who proposed to his wife while on the waves, Hejduk chose soccer over his No. 1 sport when UCLA showed interest. A winger and outside back with limited skills but great endurance, has a knack for causing havoc in opposing defenses. Plays on the right flank in the 3-6-1 system. 13 COBI JONES Cobi Jones (born June 16, 1970 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American midfielder for Major League Soccer team Los Angeles Galaxy. Jones is currently the all-time leader of the United States men's national team in appearances, with 164 caps as of the end of 2004 (scoring 15 MF-F Current club: L.A. Galaxy Ht.: 5-7 Wt.: 145 Age: 27 College: UCLA. Hometown: Westlake Village Lowdown: Popular, dreadlocked winger with great speed, good skill and a growing tactical understanding who is currently playing the best soccer of his career. A forward with the Galaxy, with whom he totaled eight. goals and seven assists in the first eight games this season, Jones carries more defensive responsibilities with the U.S. squad. 18 KASEY KELLER GK Current club: Leicester City (England) Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 190 Age: 28 College: Portland. Hometown: Lacey, Wash. Lowdown: The Americans' only world-class player, Keller has tremendous presence and instincts, born from six years in the English League. He was the Americans' No. 2 goalkeeper in 1990 but was left off the squad in '94. Posted six shutouts in nine qualifiers, then robbed Romario nearly a half-dozen times in a 1-0 win over Brazil in February. 22 ALEXI LALAS D Current club: New York/New Jersey Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 195 Age: 28 College: Rutgers. Hometown: Detroit Lowdown: As celebrated for his ``Uncle Sam'' look - bushy bush·y adj. bush·i·er, bush·i·est 1. Overgrown with bushes. 2. Thick and shaggy: a bushy head of hair. red goatee and recently trimmed flowing locks - and rock-star aspirations as for anything he does on the field. A big central defender who can score on set pieces, Lalas became a star with a fine performance at the 1994 World Cup, then moved to Italy's Serie A for two years and has struggled to regain form since. Generally at his best in big games. 19 BRIAN MAISONNEUVE MF Current club: Columbus Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 175 Age: 24 College: Indiana. Hometown: Warren, Mich. Lowdown: Gifted playmaking midfielder whose defensive tenacity, ability to hold the ball and passing skills have proven valuable as Chad Deering's DMF partner. Hermann Trophy winner as college soccer's top player in 1994 - he scored 44 goals in 95 games as a Hoosier - and the best U-23 player on the '96 Olympic team. 20 BRIAN McBRIDE F Current club: Columbus Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 175 Age: 25 College: St. Louis. Hometown: Arlington Heights, Ill. Lowdown: Hard-working striker who scores superb goals, although his misses with the national team have made the greater impression. Strong in the air - on a team that prefers to play on the ground - the squad's reigning sex symbol could play up front if Eric Wynalda isn't 100 percent or as the first forward off the bench. Scored a school-record 72 goals at St. Louis. 9 JOE-MAX MOORE MF-F Current club: New England Ht.: 5-9 Wt.: 150 Age: 27 College: UCLA. Hometown: Irvine Lowdown: Talented, diligent but fragile attacking midfielder who can play up front. Enjoyed two very successful seasons in Germany and is the Americans' No. 2 active scorer with 17 goals, but he has netted only two since 1996. Scored five goals against El Salvador in 1993 but got credit for only four - one slipped through a hole in the side netting and wasn't counted. Injuries have sidelined him much of the past two years. 3 EDDIE POPE D Current club: D.C. United Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 180. Age: 24 College: North Carolina North Carolina, state in the SE United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (E), South Carolina and Georgia (S), Tennessee (W), and Virginia (N). Facts and Figures Area, 52,586 sq mi (136,198 sq km). Pop. . Hometown: High Point, N.C. Lowdown: Precocious man-marker who has drawn attention from clubs in England, Italy and Holland. Possibly the best of the U.S. defenders; he was MLS's defender of the year and the Honda U.S. Player of the Year in 1997. Starred in the 1996 Olympics, then scored the winning goal in D.C. United's MLS Cup title-game win over the Galaxy. 14 PREKI RADOSAVLJEVIC MF-F Current club: Kansas City Ht.: 5-9 Wt.: 165 Age: 34 College: None. Hometown: Belgrade, Yugoslavia Lowdown: The Americans' most skilled attacker and their most important player off the bench, possessing a brilliant left foot that provided the win over Brazil in February. Known simply as ``Preki,'' he was MLS's leading scorer and MVP (Multimedia Video Processor) A high-speed DSP chip from Texas Instruments, introduced in 1994. Officially introduced as the TMS320C80, it combines RISC technology with the functionality of four DSPs on one chip. last season. Arrived in the United States in 1984 and played indoors for nine years, twice winning MVP awards. 10 TAB RAMOS MF Current club: New York/New Jersey Ht.: 5-6 Wt.: 140 Age: 31 College: North Carolina St. Hometown: Kearny, N.J. Lowdown: Attacking midfielder who holds the U.S. record with 14 career assists, Ramos rallied from two torn anterior cruciate ligaments anterior cruciate ligament n. Abbr. ACL The cruciate ligament of the knee that crosses from the anterior intercondylar area of the tibia to the posterior part of the lateral condyle of the femur. in his right knee to make the U.S. squad. Played in all seven World Cup matches in 1990 and 1994 but left the second-round game in '94 when Brazil's Leonardo elbowed him in the jaw, fracturing his skull. A potential starter but likely to come off the bench. 6 DAVID REGISD-MF Current club: Karlsruher SC Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 160 Age: 29 College: None. Hometown: Valenciennes, France Lowdown: Martinique-born Frenchman who received citizenship on May 20 and made his U.S. debut four days later. Eligible for a passport because he's been married to an American for three years. A 10-year veteran of the French League who moved to Germany's Karlsruher SC last season, when U.S. Soccer became aware of his status. A solid man-marker who is comfortable on the ball. 21 CLAUDIO REYNA MF Current club: VfL Wolfsburg (Germany) Ht.: 5-9 Wt.: 160 Age: 24 College: Virginia. Hometown: Springfield, N.J. Lowdown: The most influential U.S. player, responsible for directing the attack, the role he plays in the Germany, where Kicker magazine rated him the 25th best player. A precocious star - he was identified as the player of the future while in high school - he played in the 1992 and '96 Olympics and was slated to start in the 1994 World Cup until a torn hamstring forced him to the bench. 16 JUERGEN SOMMER GK Current club: Columbus Ht.: 6-5 Wt.: 215 Age: 29 College: Indiana. Hometown: Naples, Fla. Lowdown: Seven years in the English League means nothing here: For the second Cup, he'll watch from the bench, his only hope of action requiring injuries or red cards to Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel. Left England for MLS See multilevel security. last winter and is the league's top goalkeeper this season. 8 ERNIE STEWART MF-F Current club: NAC Breda (Netherlands) Ht.: 5-9 Wt.: 145 Age: 29 College: None. Hometown: Uden, Netherlands Lowdown: Son of an American serviceman who settled in Holland, Stewart received a passport in 1992 and has been a key figure on the national team since. A speedy attacking midfielder or winger, he played in all four World Cup matches in '94 and scored against Colombia. He has 61 goals in eight seasons in the Dutch Premier Division. 7 ROY WEGERLE F Current club: Tampa Bay Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 170 Age: 34 College: South Florida. Hometown: Tampa, Fla. Lowdown: A technically gifted but inconsistent forward who moved from South Africa to Florida in his late teens and received U.S. citizenship in 1991. Ended a two-year exile from the national team last fall and scored twice in the Cup-clinching win over Canada. Played nine seasons in England and was part of the '94 team, although an injury limited his playing time. 11 ERIC WYNALDA F Current club: San Jose Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 172 Age: 29 College: San Diego State. Hometown: Westlake Village Lowdown: A charismatic forward and the all-time U.S. scoring leader, although a knee injury suffered two months ago has left his fitness in question. Played in the last two World Cups - was red-carded against Czechoslovakia in 1990 and scored on a superb free kick against Switzerland in 1994. Scored nine goals in 1996 and four in '97 but just one this year. COACHING STAFF Head coach: Steve Sampson (Agoura Hills), assistant in '94 Assistant coach: Clive Charles (Portland, Ore.), men's and women's coach at Univ. of Portland Assistant coach: Thomas Rongen (Boston), coach of MLS's New England Revolution The New England Revolution, nicknamed the Revs, is a professional soccer club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts, that participates in Major League Soccer. Even though the club is based in Foxborough, the club represents all of New England. Goalkeeper coach: Milutin Soskic (Aliso Viejo), goalkeeper coach in '94 Other staff General Manager: Tom King (Chicago) Trainer: Andrew Rudawsky (Wilmington, Del.) Assistant trainers: Ivan Pierra (Fullerton) and Jim Hashimoto (Wilmington, Del.) WORLD CUP FINALS (Host country in parentheses See parenthesis. parentheses - See left parenthesis, right parenthesis. ) 1930 (Uruguay) Uruguay 4, Argentina 2 1934 (Italy) Italy 2, Czechoslovakia 1 (OT) 1938 (France) Italy 4, Hungary 2 1950 (Brazil) Uruguay 2, Brazil 1 1954 (Switzerland) West Germany 3, Hungary 2 1958 (Sweden) Brazil 5, Sweden 2 1962 (Chile) Brazil 3, Czechoslovakia 1 1966 (England) England 4, West Germany 2 (OT) 1970 (Mexico) Brazil 4, Italy 1 1974 (West Germany) West Germany 2, Netherlands 1 1978 (Argentina) Argentina 3, Netherlands 1 (OT) 1982 (Spain) Italy 3, West Germany 1 1986 (Mexico) Argentina 3, West Germany 2 1990 (Italy) West Germany 1, Argentina 0 1994 (United States) Brazil 0, Italy 0 (Brazil, 3-2) U.S. HISTORY 1930 (Uruguay) - Semifinals United States 3, Belgium 0 United States 3, Paraguay 0 Argentina 6, United States 1 1934 (Italy) - First round Italy 7, United States 1 1950 (Brazil) - First round Spain 3, United States 1 United States 1, England 0 Chile 5, United States 2 1990 (Italy) - First round Czechoslovakia 5, United States 1 Italy 1, United States 0 Austria 2, United States 1 1994 (United States) - Second round United States 1, Switzerland 1 United States 2, Colombia 1 Romania 1, United States 0 Brazil 1, United States 0 TEAM RECORDS Most goals, qualifier: Iran 17 (vs. Maldives, 1997) Most goals, tournament: Hungary 10 (vs. El Salvador, 1982) Unbeaten streak: Brazil 13 (1958-66) Most goals, tournament: Hungary 27 (1954) Most appearances: Brazil 16 Most championships: Brazil 4 Most finals: Germany/West Germany 6 RECENT GOLDEN BOOT Golden Boot An inducement, using maximum incentives and financial benefits, for an older worker to take "voluntary" early retirement. Notes: A golden boot is usually offered by companies planning on downsizing or hiring new employees. WINNERS (Most goals) 1966 - Eusebio (Portugal) 9 1970 - Gerd Mueller (West Germany) 10 1974 - Grzegorz Lato (Poland) 7 1978 - Mario Kempes (Argentina) 6 1982 - Paolo Rossi (Italy) 6 1986 - Gary Lineker (England) 6 1990 - Salvatore Schillaci (Italy) 6 1994 - Oleg Salenko (Russia) and Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria) 6 ALL-TIME SCORING LEADERS 1. Gerd Mueller (West Germany 70-74) 14 2. Just Fontaine (France 58) 13 3. Pele (Brazil 58-70) 12 4. Sandor Kocsis (Hungary 54) 11 5. Helmut Rahn (West Germany 54-58) 10 Teofilo Cubillas (Peru 70-78) 10 Grzegorz Lato (Poland 74-82) 10 Gary Lineker (England 86-90) 10 Active players 1. Juergen Klinsmann (Germany 90-94) 8 2. Roberto Baggio (Italy 86-94) 7 FIVE MUST-SEE GAMES Spain vs. Nigeria (June 13, 5:30 a.m.), ESPN ESPN Entertainment and Sports Programming Network 2 Romania vs. Colombia (June 15, 8:30 a.m.), ESPN Germany vs. Yugoslavia (June 21, 5:30 a.m.), ESPN Brazil vs. Norway (June 23, noon), ESPN Jamaica vs. Japan (June 26, 7 a.m.), ESPN FIVE GAMES TO AVOID Cameroon vs. Austria (June 11, noon), ESPN2 Paraguay vs. Bulgaria (June 12, 5:30 a.m.), ESPN2 Denmark vs. Saudi Arabia (June 12, 8:30 a.m.), ESPN2 Argentina vs. Japan (June 14, 5:30 a.m.), ESPN Germany vs. Iran (June 25, noon), ESPN2 ABSENT Key players not in France Alen Bocsic (Croatia) - injured Ciro Ferrara (Italy) - injured Paul Gascoigne (England) - fitness John Harkes (United States) - dropped Juninho (Brazil) - fitness Gary McAllister (Scotland) - injured Kazu Miura (Japan) - dropped Fernando Redondo (Argentina) - not considered Romario (Brazil) - injured Gianfranco Zola (Italy) - dropped --- Long Beach Press-Telegram The Long Beach Press-Telegram is a major daily newspaper published in Long Beach, California. Tracing its history to 1897, it is currently published by the Los Angeles Newspaper Group. External links
CAPTION(S): 24 Photos PHOTO (1--Color) Jeff Agoos (2--Color) Alexi Lalas (3--Color) Tab Ramos (4--Color) Marcelo Balboa (5--Color) Brian Maisonneuve (6--Color) David Regis (7--Color) Mike Burns (8--Color) Brian McBride (9--Color) Claudio Reyna (10--Color) Chad Deering (11--Color) Juergen Sommer (12--Color) Thomas Dooley (13--Color) Ernie Stewart (14--Color) Brad Friedel (15--Color) Roy Wegerle (16--Color) Frankie Hejduk (17--Color) Joe-Max Mo ore (18--Color) Eric Wynalda (19--Color) Cobi Jones (20--Color) Eddie Pope (21--Color) Kasey Keller (22--Color) Preki Radosavljevic (23--Color) Steve Sampson (24--Color) The U.S. team opens World Cup play June 15 in Paris against Germany. Mark Lennihan/Associated Press |
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