| EFE |
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| Bruce Arena, director técnico de la selección nacional de fútbol de Estados Unidos. |
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05/JUL/2005 -The U.S. team is packed with talent, just like those of Mexico
and Colombia, and the three squads figure among the favorites to take home the
2005 title.
The United States - which is hosting the regional tourney this year - and Mexico
are the only two squads to have played in all Gold Cup competitions, and the
Americans' main objectives this time around include not only demonstrating their
potential for playing some great soccer but also garnering wider acceptance
for the sport nationwide.
Bruce Arena has coached the U.S. team since 1998 and has delivered some outstanding
results, improving the team overall and winning the 2002 tourney. The Americans
also won the title in the North American and Caribbean regional competition's
debut in 1991.
This year's squad is a combination of American players from European and U.S.
teams.
Among the goalies on the roster this year are the trusted Kasey Keller and
Marcus Hahnemann, a youngster with great potential currently playing for an
English squad.
The defense will rely on tried and true pillars such as Eddie Pope, Tony Sanneh
and Steve Cherundolo, but will also include newcomers Jimmy Conrad and Oguchi
Onyewu.
Arena will have no problems at midfield with players such as Chris Armas of
the Chicago Fire and the classy and experienced DaMarcus Beasley, who plays
for the Dutch squad PSV Eindhoven.
Among the players bringing both youth and talent to the team are forward Conor
Casey, striker Landon Donovan, Patrick Noonan, Santino Quanranta and Josh Wolff.
In this year's first round, the Americans will go up against Canada, Costa
Rica and Cuba.
The U.S. players will compete in their first Group B match on Thursday in Qwest
Field in Seattle, when they face off against the Cubans.
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