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[Frank Cunha]

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[Soccerdad]

the HDC is the best!......
nice to see the womens team getting their recognition too.

[Frank Cunha]

U.S. Announces Holland Trip 22/12/03

The United States Men’s National Team will travel to face fifth-ranked Holland on Feb. 18, 2004 at the vaunted Amsterdam ArenA in Amsterdam. Kickoff for the match is set for 8:30 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. ET), and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2. Fans can also follow the match live online via ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker, presented by Philips Electronics.

“We are excited about the challenge of competing against one of the finest teams in the world,” said U.S. Manager Bruce Arena, whose 44-22-16 lifetime record is best amongst U.S. MNT coaches. “To play a team of Holland’s caliber can only be valuable as we prepare for the beginning of 2006 World Cup qualifying.”

The U.S. and Holland have met just twice in their history, both on U.S. soil, with the United States dropping a pair of 2-0 losses. The teams last met in Foxboro, Mass., on May 19, 2002, in the USA’s third and final match of the Nike “Road to Korea” series. The U.S. departed for their historic quarterfinal run in the 2002 World Cup three days later.

With the Feb. 18 match falling on a FIFA-scheduled international fixture date, this will be the fifth time the MNT has traveled to Europe during Arena’s five-year tenure, with the U.S. still in search of their first victory.

Two-time runners-up in the World Cup (1974 and 1978), “The Oranje” have one of the finest footballing traditions in Europe. Winners of the 1988 European Championship, the Netherlands have produced some of the best players in history, including legendary midfielder Johan Cruyff. Now led by former Glasgow Rangers manager Dick Advocaat, the Dutch boast an array of world class talent like strikers Ruud Van Nistlerooy (Manchester United) and Patrick Kluivert (FC Barcelona). Holland has reached the finals of the 2004 European Championship, drawn into Group D along with Germany, the Czech Republic and Latvia.

courtesy of ussoccer.com

[BethlehemFC]

Tough challenge.

[Frank Cunha]

Arena to use the best players in Europe, will be nice to see Tim Howard back with the US national team

[Frank Cunha]

Arena Calls 30 For Denmark Camp 23/12/03

U.S. Men’s National Team manager Bruce Arena has selected 30 players to participate in a training camp beginning January 4 at the National Training Center in Carson, Calif. The camp will culminate in the USA’s first-ever match at The Home Depot Center against 13th-ranked Denmark. Kickoff for the match is set for 12:30 p.m. PT, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN.

The 30-player camp will have a distinct MLS flavor, with 27 of the participants plying their trade in the USA’s top domestic league. Only Wade Barrett (AGF Aarhus, Denmark), Cory Gibbs (FC St. Pauli, Germany) and Robbie Russell (FC Sogndal, Norway) will represent the MNT’s foreign-based contingent.

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champion Chicago Fire send five players to California, the most alongside the Kansas City Wizards. Long time national team stalwart and Fire captain Chris Armas is joined by 2003 MLS MVP finalist Ante Razov. Leading the Wizards contingent is forward Josh Wolff, who has six goals in 20 appearances for the senior national team. Chris Klein had his best year for the MNT in 2003, recording his first three goals, including the game-winning goal in the 2-1 victory in Jamaica on Feb. 12. The Los Angeles Galaxy add local flavor to the camp, contributing Kevin Hartman, Danny Califf, and Chris Albright.

The U.S. has a pair of veterans at either end of the field returning to the fold from injury. MetroStars captain Eddie Pope returns to anchor the backline, the 29-year old defender having last played for the United States in the 0-0 draw with Mexico on May 8 in Houston. Brian McBride makes his return after a cheek injury during the USA’s 2-1 loss to Brazil in the semifinal of the 2003 Gold Cup, ending the tournament in which he tallied three goals and an assist, twice earning Chevrolet Man of the Match honors. The Columbus Crew forward has tallied 23 goals for the MNT, good for third-best on the all-time list, and is one goal shy of catching New England Revolution striker Joe-Max Moore.

In addition to McBride, Pope, and Wolff, two other camp members represented the United States during their quarterfinal run at the 2002 World Cup. Crew defender Frankie Hejduk has 53 appearances for the MNT during a seven-year career, and is one of two players to play every minute of the last two Gold Cups. Colorado Rapids midfielder Pablo Mastroeni played 11 times for the U.S. in 2003, now with 25 international caps to his credit.

Ten players are in search of their debut appearance in a full national team match. The group of neophytes is led by MLS Rookie of the Year finalist Pat Noonan, and Bryan Mullan of the 2003 MLS Cup Champion San Jose Earthquakes. In addition to seeking his first cap, FC Sogndal midfielder Robbie Russell has never been called into a camp with the MNT.

After posting a 10-4-2 record in 2003, which included a third place finish at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the United States will embark this year on the road to qualification for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The U.S. begins CONCACAF qualifying June 13, 2004, against the winner of the home-and-away series between Grenada and Guyana, with their first match scheduled to be played in the United States. With the semifinal round slated to begin Aug. 18, the U.S. will play a series of friendlies in preparation throughout the year.


U.S. Men’s National Team Roster
January 2004 Training Camp
Carson, Calif.

Name Pos. Club
Albright, Chris M Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
Armas, Chris M Chicago Fire (MLS)
Barrett, Wade D AGF Aarhus (Denmark)
Califf, Dan D Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
Cannon, Joe GK Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Cunningham, Jeff F Columbus Crew (MLS)
Curtin, Jim D Chicago Fire (MLS)
Garcia, Nick D Kansas City Wizards (MLS)
Gibbs, Cory D FC St. Pauli (Germany)
Hartman, Kevin GK Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
Hejduk, Frankie D/M Columbus Crew (MLS)
Klein, Chris M Kansas City Wizards (MLS)
Kotschau, Ritchie D Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Mastroeni, Pablo D/M Colorado Rapids (MLS)
McBride, Brian F 6'1" Columbus Crew (MLS)
Mulrooney, Richard M/D San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Mullan, Brian M San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Noonan, Pat F New England Revolution (MLS)
Olsen, Ben M D.C. United (MLS)
Perez, Orlando D Chicago Fire (MLS)
Pope, Eddie D MetroStars (MLS)
Ralston, Steve M New England Revolution (MLS)
Razov, Ante F Chicago Fire (MLS)
Russell, Robbie D Sogndal (Norway)
Talley, Carey D Kansas City Wizards (MLS)
Thornton, Zach GK Chicago Fire (MLS)
Walker, Jonny GK MetroStars (MLS)
Wolff, Josh F Kansas City Wizards (MLS)
Wolyniec, John F MetroStars (MLS)
Zavagnin, Kerry M Kansas City Wizards (MLS)

[Frank Cunha]

Re-appointed Warner Tips U.S. to Host 2005 Club Championship 05/01/04

CONCACAF President Jack Warner has been unanimously reappointed to the FIFA Executive Committee in his capacity as Vice President for another four years, it was revealed at the Caribbean Football Union congress in Martinique on Tuesday.

Warner, also President of the Caribbean Football Union, spoke glowingly in his reappointment saying that he was prepared to serve.

“I must thank the entire Congress for the confidence displayed in me and I promise to continue serving with the commitment and dedication that I have in the past. I am looking forward to some very interesting months to come,” Warner said on Wednesday morning.

Warner was also recently in the company of United States Vice President Dick Cheney as discussions were held on various matters. The two Vice Presidents spoke at length on the role of sports and moreso football in influencing world peace and Warner pledged to use his influence in the FIFA to bring more FIFA events to the US.

“He was very receptive and as a consequence, The United States are now very strong contenders to host the FIFA World Club Championship in 2005, ”said Warner. The decision on who will host the championship will be made in March, 2004.

Warner described the Congress as “an extremely successful event” with 29 of the 30 countries present with Cuba being the sole absentee due to flight problems.

Michel Platini represented President Sepp Blatter and also in attendance were also the Director General of the French Football Federation, Gerald Enault; the Vice President of the Regional Council, Michel Michaelon and the Inspector General of Martinique, Michel Daudier - all of whom spoke at the opening of the Congress, with Michel Platini bringing greetings from President Blatter.

The President of UNCAF (Union of Central American Football Federations), Mr Julio Rocha (Nicaragua) was also present and brought greetings to the Congress.

The Congress approved the undermentioned documents:

The minutes of the 2002 AGM the audited financial statement and balance sheet for the year 2002, and, the Annual Report for the year 2002.

The delegates witnessed two excellent presentations - one by Mr. Keith Look Loy, FIFA's Development Officer for the Caribbean, on the successes of the GOAL Project in the Caribbean and another presentation from Mr Richard Braithwaite, CONCACAF's Technical Director on CONCACAF's work at the Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence in Trinidad for the year 2003 as well as the schedule of activities for 2004.

Following the above presentations the Congress then approved the undermentioned:

To advise Mr Ram Folkes of Grenada that his accusation against the Grenada FA's General Secretary re-racial remarks being made against an official of the FA was frivolous in the extreme and that the matter will be declared closed.

To fully support the decision of the FIFA to send, once again , a Committee into Antigua comprising Jack Warner (CONCACAF), Senes Erzik (Turkey), Jerome Champagne (FIFA) and Harold Taylor (CFU) to evaluate the work of the Normalization Committee in that country especially its failure to meet any one of FIFA's deadlines. The Committee meets in Antigua on January 9th and 10th, 2004.

To establish a Marketing Division which will be temporarily housed in Jamaica and will be under the supervision of Captain Horace Burrell, Sr Vice President of the Union. The President advised the Congress that the Marketing Division will in no way impact negatively on any marketing possibilities of the Jamaica Federation but, on the contrary, should complement its work. The Division will be established on Feb 1, 2004.

To conduct the 2006 World Cup Qualifying competition distinct and apart from the Gold Cup Qualifying competition, the latter will be conducted in groups to be determined by the CFU Executive Committee.

To initiate in 2004 a CFU Under 14 competition for boys and a CFU Under 17 competition for girls on a two year repetitive cycle (Under 15 for boys and Under 18 for girls in 2005). At the end of the boys' competition, a 30 man squad will be selected to undergo intensive training at the Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence, Macoya at the end of which an All Star Youth team will be selected to play a series of matches overseas. Richard Braithwaite has been put in charge of this project together with Lionel Haven (Bahamas) and Chet Greene (Antigua).

To instruct the membership to participate in the Caribbean Workshop for grassroot football. The workshop is scheduled for Barbados on Feb 17 and 18th, 2004 and is for young up and coming coaches. It is fully sponsored by the British Government.

To advise the CONCACAF, at its Congress on May 2nd in Grenada, that the Caribbean's representative as a member on CONCACAF's Executive Committee will be Captain Horace Burrell who will now replace Anthony James of Jamaica. James has held the post for 12 years and was warmly applauded for his work during that period.

Jack Warner has been unanimously reappointed to the FIFA Executive Committee, in his capacity as its Vice President, for the period 2004 to 2008.

Several countries made requests to hold CFU and CONCACAF Congresses in the future and they were all advised that they have until Jan 31st 2004 to formalize their requests.

by Shaun Fuentes

[Lemmy]

What a read Hopefully the Club Championship will be held here in DC so I can go the match.

[Frank Cunha]

DC will be consider
do you follow DC United? and the new sensation kid Adu, they also looking for a coach

[Lemmy]

I follow the since they are the only professional team around. I hope to see Adu soon. Stoichkov for the coaching job should be a consideration. Or me

[Frank Cunha]

Stoikov went back to Barcelona in Spain, talks about a ex Poland international that played for Chicago Fire

[Jager]

I hope Seattle gets a game, so I can attend....

[Lemmy]

I think that DC will have a better chance than Seattle with the amount of Latinos living in this area (most of which are probably illegal :mrgreen: )

[Soccerdad]

Just don't forget the LA area, the Home Depot Center of course......

[Frank Cunha]

you bet, they the cathedral for america soccer.