US facing quality foe in qualifier
The message from Trinidad & Tobago's national soccer team is that there will be less "soca" and more "warrior" in World Cup qualifying, beginning with today's game against the United States in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
The team, nicknamed Soca Warriors after the country's popular soul/calypso blend of music, has made a strong commitment to preparation. There have been several warmup matches, and the nation's top Europe-based stars have returned in recent days. Jack Warner, president of the Football Confederation, the regional ruling body of soccer, is based in Port of Spain, and is using his influence to ensure the presence of top players on the field.
Meanwhile, no theme or high-profile backing has emerged for the US program, which only recently settled a labor dispute with its players and began practice under coach Bruce Arena. The US players agreed Jan. 21 to continue to work under the terms of a contract that expired two years ago, but the delay caused the cancellation of at least two preparation matches. The US did play a scrimmage against Hammarby, a Swedish club once funded by pop singer Rod Stewart and now owned by Major League Soccer investor Phil Anschutz, and took a 1-0 win on a goal by defender Jimmy Conrad in Carson, Calif., before arriving in Miami Sunday.
The US team has had an all-business agenda since finally congregating during the final week of January. A final roster had not been announced as of yesterday. The probable starting lineup: goalkeeper Kasey Keller (Borussia Moenchengladbach); defenders Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Eddie Pope (Real Salt Lake), Cory Gibbs (Feyenoord), Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC); midfielders DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado), Landon Donovan (Bayer Leverkusen), Eddie Lewis (Preston North End); and strikers Brian McBride (Fulham FC) and Eddie Johnson (FC Dallas).
Four years ago, the US started the final round of qualifying with a 2-0 win over Mexico in Columbus, Ohio. The US went 4-0-1, then lost three successive times, rallying to advance to the 2002 World Cup finals with a 2-1 win over Jamaica in Foxborough. This time, the US begins the final round with two road matches -- next visiting Mexico March 27 -- before starting its home schedule against Guatemala March 30 in Birmingham, Ala.
Until recently, the US appeared disorganized, compared with recent qualifying campaigns.
The uncertainty caused by the labor problems limited the US training schedule. Domestic players have not been playing since the MLS season concluded in November, limiting their conditioning. Eight of the 11 starters will likely be Europe-based players, who should be match-fit but have not been training together. Donovan, replacing Claudio Reyna as team captain, has played three games for Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.
