<a href=www.zwire.com>Web March 29, 2003

Seattle, Washington (Sports Network) - The United States overcame a tenacious Venezuela defense and an uneven first-half performance to take a 2-0 win in Seattle at Seahawks Stadium. Second half goals from Jovan Kirovski and Landon Donovan gave the U.S. the win against one of South America's weaker nations, although Venezuela has played well of late. The national team next face rivals Mexico in Houston on May 8th at Reliant Stadium. The first half saw a stalemate for the most part, with Venezuela defending well in numbers despite allowing the U.S. a majority of play with the ball. Admittedly, it wasn't the best 45 minutes in the history of the game--the home side had decent play in the midfield from John O'Brien and DaMarcus Beasley, but the front duo of Kirovski and Brian McBride did not mesh well, and put together little problem for Venezuela. Kasey Keller was confident in the nets for the U.S., controlling his area well on crosses and loose balls. His stop on Daniel Noriega's low shot in the 30th minute was clear and away the best chance for either side, but Keller made it look relatively easy. Venezuela, as expected, defended in numbers and frustrated the U.S. attack, who could not put forth that last killer ball to unlock their opponents' defense. Halftime substitute Earnie Stewart was an instant spark for the U.S., coming in for Kansas City's Chris Klein. The three-time World Cup veteran showed he still can contribute on the international level, giving the home side a combination of hustle and class that the first half really lacked. His free kick led to the first goal; it found McBride, but his header was denied by the post. The rebounded was headed straight back onto the woodwork by Carlos Bocanegra, but the third bite at the cherry was slammed home by Kirovski in the 51st minute. Venezuela looked for an offside flag that wasn't given on the U.S. go-ahead goal. It was the first goal for Kirovski for the United States since 2000, with the Birmingham City attacker thought of as this country's biggest enigma--loads of talent, but little results in his career. Kirovski just missed getting a second goal, as his curling shot hit the crossbar with Venezuelan keeper Gilberto Angelucci beaten. He exited in the 60th minute for Donovan, whose individual effort for the United States' second goal was far and away the classiest moment of the game. Prior to Donovan's goal, the U.S. came close through a Stewart shot that went wide, McBride wasting an open net when he failed to control Beasley's pass six yards out, and a Stewart header off-target. In the 77th minute, Donovan took O'Brien's pass in the midfield, beat several defenders on the left side, and beat Angelucci coolly with a low shot to the far post. The San Jose Earthquake forward missed a chance for a second goal, as his first-time effort went straight to Angelucci, who blocked low. Substitutions late gave Edson Buddle and Nick Garcia some playing time, with the former becoming the 600th player to represent the U.S. on the national team level. Angelucci was sent off late, as he reacted to block Donovan's chip outside of the Venezuelan area with his hands. Keller maintained his national team record 29th clean sheet with a late diving save on Wilfredo Moreno's shot from an angle, his first action in the second half in front of his home state crowd.

Read it March 29, 2003

SEATTLE -- Jovan Kirovski and Landon Donovan scored and Kasey Keller delivered a shutout during a homecoming to Washington as the United States beat Venezuela 2-0 on Saturday in an exhibition game.

Keller, from nearby Olympia, made only two saves but didn't need to be spectacular as he improved to 14-0-4 in his last 18 home games for the national team. He was among six Americans seeing their first international action since the 1-0 quarterfinal loss to Germany at last year's World Cup.

It was even an longer break for Kirovski, who hadn't played since a 4-2 loss at Germany last March. And the layoff showed during a listless first half for both sides, with many U.S. centering passes too high or off the mark.

The United States (3-1 this year) went ahead in the 52nd minute when Kirovski knocked the ball into the left side of the goal after a flurry when the defense disappeared.

Brian McBride sent a shot off a post and the rebound went to Carlos Bocanegra, whose shot went off the crossbar and went to Kirovski. It was the first goal against the improving Venezuelans in four games since a 2-0 loss to Morocco on March 3, 2002.

Donovan, who replaced Kirovski in the 60th minute, put the Americans ahead 2-0 in the 76th minute with a spectacular goal. He took a pass from John O'Brien and sprinted up the left side, beating two defenders and drawing out goalkeeper Gilberto Angelucci.

With McBride open in front of the net, Donovan slotted the ball with his right foot and it went in just inside the far post for his eighth goal in 33 international appearances.

With European leagues off and Major League Soccer not starting until April 5, the U.S. team had many of its top players, fielding a lineup that Keller, McBride, O'Brien Frankie Hejduk, Eddie Pope and Earnie Stewart.

The Venezuelan, who put up a strong defense throughout the first half, were a late replacement for Japan, which canceled their U.S. trip after the outbreak of war in Iraq.

Notes: Keller, the backup to Brad Friedel at last year's World Cup, got his 29th shutout in 61 appearances, three shutouts short of Tony Meola's record. It was Keller's first game since last May 19, when he played the second half against the Netherlands in the last pre-World Cup exhibition game for the U.S. team. ... The Americans' next game is against Mexico on May 8 at Houston.

Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

COREY BROCK; The News Tribune

A familiar face will be on the sidelines at Seahawks Stadium today when the United States faces Venezuela in a friendly soccer match.

Kasey Keller, a North Thurston High graduate, would much rather be tending goal for the U.S. team instead of taking in all the action.

Keller, a starting goalkeeper for Tottenham of the English Premier League, isn't sure how much or if he'll play at all in the match with Venezuela, a late replacement for Japan after the Japanese Football Association recently opted to skip the trip due to security concerns.

Keller, like many of his teammates, flew to the Northwest this week from points beyond to prepare for today's match. Keller flew Tuesday after Tottenham lost a 1-0 match to Bolton Monday.

Most of the team has been at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., since Monday, practicing for the match under the watchful eyes of coach Bruce Arena. Arena has the option of using Keller, Tony Meola or Brad Friedel, who helped the U.S. team to the quarterfinals of the World Cup last summer, in goal. But that's not the only position worth watching.

Forward Landon Donovan, who is regarded as one of soccer's top up-and-coming players, arrived in Seattle late Thursday after San Jose defeated CSD Municipal, 2-1, in the CONCACAF Champions Cup in San Jose on March 26. With a lineup brimming with talent, the U.S. team shouldn't have trouble with Venezuela. Or will they?

While Venezuela is not as strong as Japan, Arena is a little wary of the success Venezuela has had recently. Venezuela has gone 436 minutes without surrendering a goal, dating back to a 2-0 loss to Morocco on March 3. The team is unbeaten and unscored upon in its last four matches, including wins over Ecuador and Uruguay.

"Over the past two or three years, the Venezuelan national team has made great strides, and I think they're the most improved team in South America," Arena said in a statement. "We're certainly looking forward to the challenge."

Match organizers said earlier this week that 17,000 tickets had been sold for the match, though some of those might have been returned after Japan announced that it wasn't coming.

Still, organizers are expecting a crowd of 15,000 to 20,000. A match at Safeco Field in 2002 between the U.S. team and Honduras attracted a crowd of 38,534.

Corey Brock: 253-597-8483 corey.brock@mail.tribnet.com

USA vs. Venezuela

When - Today, 1 p.m. Seahawks Stadium

TV - ESPN2

Tickets - Range from $20 to $70 and are available at TicketMaster outlets and at Seahawks Stadium.

Previous meeting - Team USA and Venezuela played to a 3-3 tie in the Copa America in 1993.

Crowd - Organizers are hoping for a crowd of 15,000 to 20,000.

The skinny - The U.S. team originally was supposed to play Japan, but the Japanese Football Association decided last week not to make the trip, which included a match in San Diego on March 26, because of security concerns. Venezuela collected five victories in 2002 World Cup qualifying and is unbeaten and unscored upon in its past four matches. The U.S. team has been practicing at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., since Monday. Goalie Kasey Keller, who played at North Thurston High, is a goalkeeper for the U.S. team.

Corey Brock (Published 12:30AM, March 29th, 2003)

<a href=www.zwire.com>Hillsboro Free Pres March 28, 2003

Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - The U.S. will hold its final training session of the week exactly 24 hours prior to hosting Venezuela in the first international soccer match at Seattle Seahawks Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Saturday, March 29, 2003 - 12:00 a.m. Pacific Soccer By Bob Condotta Seattle Times staff reporter MARK HARRISON / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Kasey Keller, the U.S. goalkeeper from Lacey, practices with the American team at Seahawks Stadium. Keller is the likely starter today against Venezuela.

In the 90 years that the United States has fielded a men's national soccer team, it has employed 34 head coaches, a track record that even George Steinbrenner might consider a bit extreme.

But as the U.S. team gets ready to begin another four-year cycle leading up to the 2006 World Cup in Germany with a match at 1 p.m. today against Venezuela at Seahawks Stadium, there is an uncommon sense of stability.

Today's game will be the first time that the bulk of the players who made up the U.S. team that advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup will hit the field together, a group that now knows just what can be accomplished when everything breaks right.

Most important, however, Coach Bruce Arena is back for another four-year cycle, which gives him the longest coaching tenure in American men's soccer history.

"Typically with the national team, coaches go year to year," Arena said after the team worked out yesterday at Seahawks Stadium. "But now they are in the fifth year with me so when we come to camp, we basically know each other, know what is expected, and for any new players, it is easy for them to get adjusted."

Arena won't say, however, that all that stability should lead to heightened expectations for the U.S. team, maintaining the stance he has taken from his first day as coach in 1998 that the team's goal is simply "to get into position to qualify for the next World Cup."

Today's game in soccer parlance is called an "international friendly." Japan was to have been the opponent but backed out last week due to concerns about travel and security. Venezuela, which the U.S. has played just once — a 3-3 tie in 1993 — was lined up as a late replacement. U.S. players admitted yesterday they knew little about Venezuela, which has never qualified for a World Cup.

"But it's just like any team," said forward Landon Donovan. "If you don't approach it the right way, they can beat you."

U.S. men's national soccer team vs. Venezuela When: Today,

1 p.m.

Where: Seahawks Stadium.

Tickets: $20-$70, are available at Ticketmaster outlets or at the stadium box office.

TV: ESPN 2 Today's 18-man U.S. roster features a number of young players — such as defenders Steve Cherundolo, Nick Garcia and Carlos Bocanegra — Arena will try to get on the field as much as possible.

"At this point in the four-year cycle, you want to look at a number of players," Arena said. "But you tend to lean in favor of younger players now because it's a good time to get them some ... experience."

The U.S. plays "friendlies" against Mexico and Wales in May before heading to France to play in the Confederations Cup in June. The U.S. returns to the United States for the Gold Cup in July.

Always foremost on everyone's mind, however, is the World Cup.

"If you think about it, we're not really going to have that many chances to be together, so every time we are together we have to take what we can from it because (World Cup) qualifying is sooner rather than later," said Donovan.

World Cup qualifying rounds have been expanded, starting sooner and lasting longer than ever. Qualifying will now call for the U.S. to play up to 20 games over three rounds instead of 16 games over two rounds. It will begin in either February or March 2004 rather than July.

Arena has said the new qualifying format won't be easier but should be fairer.

Donovan, one of the stars of the 2002 run, said he's noticed a different atmosphere in the team's workouts this week.

"There's a sense that since we succeeded somewhat in the World Cup there is not so much competition (among each other) and people being nasty," he said. "It's more that we are together, whatever 11 is on the field is together."

Notes

• Yesterday's workout was the first for the American team in Seahawks Stadium, which was fitted with freshly laid sod this week covering the artificial surface that the Seahawks play on. Cost of the sod was $100,000 and the turf will be donated to local schools next month.

"If it rains, it could be a little bit of a problem," Arena said. "But the field looks in excellent shape. They did a terrific job here."

• Arena wouldn't name his starters but indicated that the goalie likely will be Kasey Keller, a native of Lacey who is 13-0-4 in home games for the United States since 1998.Keller is one of six players from the 2002 World Cup who will be playing for the U.S. for the first time since the quarterfinal loss to Germany.

• Roughly 20,000 tickets have been sold for today's match but officials are hesitant to guess at attendance because of the pullout of the Japanese team. A game last year against Honduras at Safeco Field drew 38,534.

Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or bcondotta@seattletimes.com