[North and Central America and
Caribbean Final Qualifiers]
10 Matches 4 Wins 5 Ties 1 Loss (17 Points)
| 2/3/97 | Vs. Jamaica | Draw | 0-0 |
| 3/16/97 | Vs. Canada | Win | 3-0 |
| 3/23/97 | Vs. Costa Rica | Lose | 3-2 |
| 4/20/97 | Vs. Mexico | Draw | 2-2 |
| 6/29/97 | Vs. El Salvador | Draw | 1-1 |
| 9/7/97 | Vs. Costa Rica | Win | 1-0 |
| 10/3/97 | Vs. Jamaica | Draw | 1-1 |
| 11/2/97 | Vs. Mexico | Draw | 0-0 |
| 11/9/97 | Vs. Canada | Win | 0-3 |
| 11/16/97 | Vs. El Salvador | Win | 4-2 |
| Offense |
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Defense |
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Experience |
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Capacity to surprise |
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Although it was once considered a "wasteland for soccer", since it held the World Cup in 1994, conditions in the United States have been changing. A professional league, the MLS (Major League Soccer) has been established, an American coach Steve Sampson has emerged, and in February of this year, the United States defeated Brazil for the first time. However, compared to European and Latin American powerhouses, the United States has still not been able to climb above the level of a developing country and we are forced to say that it will be extremely difficult for the United States to win through its group league.
The American defense is comparatively stable. Thanks to goalkeeper Keller with his aggressive jumping out, the familiar center back combination of Lalas and Balboa and Aguas and Pope, the defense is quite powerful and will not break down. The middle features the captain Harkes, the speedy attacker Cobi Jones, Reyna in the command tower, and Tab Ramos, whose recovery from injury is awaited, and others from the class of 94 as candidates for regular slots. However, Sampson has indicated that he will remove Hacks from the lineup and go with younger players. The problem is the forwards. The experienced Wynalda and Max Moore are returning, but the inadequacies are clear. This focuses attention on Preki, who has not been a starter since Sampson took over at the helm, perhaps because he is already 34, but the chances for the Americans to win rise the more time he is on the playing field .
*UNITED STATES
SOCCER FEDERATION
[Address]
- US Soccer House
- 1801-1811
- S.Prairie Ave.
- Chicago, IL 60616
[Established] 1913
*6th World Cup
(1930, 1934, 1950, 1990,
1994, 1998) |
PREKI Radsavlievic
* Midfielder
The ultimate weapon for American team time to break out from the ranks of the developing countries and become a sports superpower
Born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia; 34 years old; a hard worker who has played for Red Star, then in the American Indoor Soccer League, Portugal, Sweden, and the Premier League. In 1996, he moved to the Kansas City Bees of American Major League Soccer, became an American citizen, then became a member of the U.S. national team. Given his age, this is Preki's first and last chance to play in the World Cup and his enthusiasm is powerful. Currently, he is often used as a super-sub, but his typically Yugoslavian variety of techniques and accurate shooting make him appealing and the more time he is on the playing field, the greater the chances of the U.S. team advancing into the top ranks.
Steve SAMPSON
Steve Sampson was an assistant coach under Bora Milutinovic (currently the coach of the Nigerian national team) and became the first American coach of the American national team when Miludinovich left the helm. By skillfully mixing veteran and younger players, he led the team successfully through the qualifiers for this World Cup. This will be his first World Cup as coach. This tournament is expected to be difficult for the Americans, but they are aiming for victories with their solid defense. He is also fluent in Spanish and is popular with Hispanic fans. As a player, he had no pro experience, having played only at the college level.
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