If the United States fails to match its quarterfinal finish four years ago in this summer’s World Cup soccer tournament in Germany, no one can blame its lack of experience on the world stage. Coach Bruce Arena announced his roster Tuesday, and 12 of the 23 players have a combined 19 World Cups on their résumé.
The roster, with an average age of 28.6 and 44.2 caps (national team appearances), includes two players entering their fourth Cup: goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who had seven straight shutouts in qualifying; and midfielder Claudio Reyna, who in 2002 became the first American named all- World Cup first team.
“This is a team,” Arena said on a nationwide conference call, “that will challenge anybody on the field in this World Cup.”
It did four years ago in South Korea/Japan when the bulk of this roster advanced out of its four-team group to upset Mexico 2-0 in the round of 16, then lost to eventual runner-up Germany 1-0.
It includes forward Brian McBride, 33, who scored the game-winner against Mexico, and midfielder John O’Brien, 28, who scored America’s first goal in the opening win against Portugal, setting the tone for the best U.S. finish.
The biggest star may be Landon Donovan, 24, who has blossomed with the MLS’ Los Angeles Galaxy into the national team’s top points scorer the past three years.
“Talent-wise we are deeper,” Donovan said. “Though there are only 23 players, we’re deeper from 1 to 23 and we’re a better team.”
The World Cup experience cannot be overlooked. The U.S., despite matching Mexico’s record of 7-2-1 to top the CONCACAF qualifying group, was placed in demanding Group E. That includes Italy, finally playing like a traditional power again; the Czech Republic, ranked second in Europe; and underrated Ghana.
The U.S. opens play June 12 against the Czechs. Considering only two teams advance from each group and Italy is favored, this opener may determine the U.S. team’s fate. The Czech Republic is coming off a 2004 European championship in which it reached the semifinals and drew raves for arguably the best play in the tournament.
However, no Czech player has appeared in a World Cup. The team didn’t qualify in 2002.
“I’d like to believe this gives us an edge in this game,” Arena said.
The U.S. may have another edge over its 2002 squad – this team is relatively healthy. Midfielder John O’Brien, who’s suffering from injuries to his groin and left calf, is the lone candidate who could be replaced because of injury.
“One area we were really concerned with was monitoring the fitness of players up to the selection time,” Arena said. “Players in 2002 weren’t fit and had to rehab injuries.”
Now Arena must cross his fingers and hope no player gets hurt playing for his respective club. England received a huge blow Saturday when its 20- year-old wunderkind, Wayne Rooney – whom Arena calls “one of the top five players going into the World Cup” – broke his foot playing for Manchester United. Man United coach Alex Ferguson doubts Rooney will recover in time for Germany.
The only area of weakness compared with the 2002 team is the lack of an established leader. Gone are 2002 veterans Earnie Stewart, Cobi Jones and Brad Friedel. Someone must step to the forefront.
Maybe it will be the Rapids’ Pablo Mastroeni, who’s expected to play defender and midfielder in his second World Cup.
“The role he plays is as a defensive midfielder, a guy who’s a ball-winner, who gets the ball moving to guys who create chances,” Arena said. “It sounds pretty simple, but it’s not an easy task.”
The U.S. starts training camp in Cary, N.C., on May 10 before a friendly match against Morocco on May 23 in Nashville, Tenn.
Staff writer John Henderson can be reached at 303-820-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com.
