U.S. Prepares For An Improved Venezuela Team

Read source 25/03/03

The 18-man U.S. roster for the March 29 match traveled to Portland on Monday for a week-long training camp, reuniting ten players from the U.S. squad that made an historic run to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan.

"Over the past two or three years, the Venezuelan national team has made great strides, and I think they are perhaps the most improved team in South America," Arena told US Soccer. "We are certainly looking forward to the challenge."

Included in the roster is Washington native Kasey Keller, second on the USA's all-time goalkeeping list for wins (31) and shutouts (28), who has collected an astonishing 13-0-4 record on home soil since 1998.

Also returning is the striker tandem of Brian McBride and Landon Donovan, who together scored four of the USA's seven goals in Korea/Japan.

The camp also marks the reunion of the midfield corps of Pablo Mastroeni, John O'Brien, DaMarcus Beasley and Earnie Stewart, who last took the field together as starters in the 3-2 upset victory against Portugal in the USA's opening match.

Once again, MLS players dominate the roster, with 14 of the 18 now playing domestically.

The following is the U.S. roster for the March 29 match:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Tim Howard (MetroStars), Kasey Keller (Tottenham Hotspur)

DEFENDERS (5): Carlos Bocanegra (Chicago Fire), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Nick Garcia (Kansas City Wizards), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Eddie Pope (MetroStars)

MIDFIELDERS (7): DaMarcus Beasley (Chicago Fire), Bobby Convey (D.C. United), Chris Klein (Kansas City Wizards), Kyle Martino (Columbus Crew), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), John O'Brien (Ajax Amsterdam), Earnie Stewart (D.C. United)

FORWARDS (4): Edson Buddle (Columbus Crew), Landon Donovan (San Jose Earthquakes), Jovan Kirovski (Birmingham City), Brian McBride (Columbus Crew).