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spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i-1].body = "The details: A hunch starter, especially if coach Bruce Arena wants to field a physically formidable team.
Johnson appeared to be on his way to stardom, with a goal-scoring surge and scoring in his first four appearances on the national team. His scoring pace has slowed considerably since then, and an injury to his right toe didn’t help. But Johnson still owns an explosive first step, and would give even the best defenders plenty to worry about.
The drawback, of course, is lack of experience. But an attacker can get away with such a problem. A blown play doesn’t cost his side a goal and it only requires one moment of brilliance (see Clint Mathis vs. South Korea, 2002) to change a match and a tournament.
The main reason to start Johnson at forward is to avoid switching Donovan here, which would, in turn, mean starting an inferior or ailing midfielder.";
spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i++] = new Array("","Brian McBride","Brian Mcbride, left","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/z_Projects_in_progress/060512_worldcup_app/060515_worldcup_mcbride.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Stu Forster", "Getty Images file", "273", "308", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i-1].body = "
Club team: Fulham (England)
International appearances: 92
Goals: 30
Height: 6-1
Weight: 175
Age: 33
The details: Every team needs a McBride, a striker who can hold his ground in the box, leap high and get a few cheap goals in the air. He’s been doing this now for more than a dozen years at the sport's top levels, and will be counted on for similar service in his third World Cup.
His track record in the tournament finals is special: McBride scored the only U.S. goal in 1998, then had two goals and an assist in 2002.
McBride is sturdy enough, but he is also unspectacular. Like Johnson or any striker selected to start, he will have to score a goal early in the tournament to hold the position. Bruce Arena has all kinds of options here, including Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Brian Ching and Josh Wolff.
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Brian Ching
Club team: Houston Dynamo
International appearances: 20
Goals: 4
Josh Wolff
Club team: Kansas City Wizards
International appearances: 47
Goals: 9
The details: There was some surprise that Arena did not include Taylor Twellman, the MLS' leading scorer last season, but that could be due to Ching's size. At 6-1, Ching is excellent in the air and difficult to knock off the ball. He's also one of the MLS' top scorers, including a four-goal outburst in the Dynamo's opener. Wolff scored 10 times for the Wizards in the 2005 season and remains a decent option. ";
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spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i++] = new Array("","DaMarcus Beasley","DaMarcus Beasley, left.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/z_Projects_in_progress/060512_worldcup_app/060515_worldcup_beasley.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Julian Finney", "Getty Images file", "273", "377", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i-1].body = "
Club team: PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands)
International appearances: 58
Goals: 12
Height: 5-8
Weight: 145
Age: 24
The details: Like Landon Donovan, Beasley is an elite player with uncanny quickness. Unlike Donovan, Beasley has carved out a successful professional career overseas with a top club in Holland.
Beasley is a tremendous weapon, an instinctive athlete who can run down trouble on defense and create great matchup problems on the attack.
Beasley can be bumped around because of his size, but he’ll always come back and give it another go. He’s probably most dangerous off the ball, moving downfield into space. Beasley also has that rarest of gifts, a finishing touch. He scored four goals during the U.S. qualifiers for this World Cup.
He and Donovan need to stay out of each other’s way on the field, reignite the chemistry they had in Korea.";
spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i++] = new Array("","Landon Donovan","Landon Donovan","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060502/060502_donovan_hmed_4p.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "John Froschauer", "AP file", "273", "364", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i-1].body = "
Club team: Los Angeles Galaxy
International appearances: 81
Goals: 25
Height: 5-8
Weight: 148
Age: 24
The details: Try to figure out why Donovan hasn’t been more successful in his professional endeavors abroad. It boggles the mind, because come World Cup time he remains America’s most dangerous and forceful attacker.
He is peaking now, arguably the best player in the U.S., still quick as mercury with a few new moves down that right side. He is also a fine complement to the more stationary McBride.
Donovan is more than a mere player for the U.S., however. He represents a whole attitude. Ask him the Americans can win the World Cup, he says, \"Sure, why not?\" Four years ago, his cockiness put a definitive stamp on the Americans’ run to the quarterfinals, when he scored two goals and basically told the Mexicans they were finished as CONCACAF kings.
Whether he plays forward or attacking midfield, he’ll cheat upfield, toying with an opponent’s offside traps until he finally beats one.";
spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i++] = new Array("","Pablo Mastroeni","Pablo Mastroeni","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/z_Projects_in_progress/060512_worldcup_app/060515_worldcup_mastroeni.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Brian Bahr", "Getty Images file", "273", "417", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i-1].body = "
Club team: Colorado Rapids
International appearances: 48
Goals: 0
Height: 5-10
Weight: 170
Age: 29
The details: In a perfect world, Mastroeni probably wouldn’t be the choice to start for Arena. But John O’Brien is forever ailing, and Mastroeni represents a safe alternative, a guy who will mark back, tackle efficiently, and offer some security to overtaxed defenders against the likes of Germany and the Czech Republic.
Mastroeni appeared from nowhere, it seemed, at the Korea World Cup, after not playing a single minute in qualifying matches. He did a wonderful job against Rui Costa, the dangerous Portuguese midfielder, assuring himself an enduring role with the national team.
He is a compromise selection, a man who will do the little things but never create a goal.";
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spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i-1].body = "
Club team: Manchester City (England)
International appearances: 109
Goals: 8
Height: 5-10
Weight: 160
Age: 32
The details: It seems like the team captain should be 50 years old by now, he’s been around the national team so long. This will be his fourth World Cup final, though he never played in the 1994 tournament because of a hamstring injury.
Reyna is all about possession soccer at central midfield, and Arena has always loved the guy for that reason alone. There are few other Americans (maybe O’Brien, when he’s healthy) who can fill the same bill, who translate into ball control and can slow the pace of a match when it is spiraling out of control.
Reyna has invaluable experience and a wonderful touch on the ball. The downside, as always, is that he can be bashed around and sometimes right out of a match. He always seems to be nursing one injury or another.
Reyna may be most useful imposing his will on the match against Ghana. Against the short-passing games of Italy and the Czech Republic, the U.S. probably will be too busy chasing balls and looking for one or two mistakes to launch counter-attacks.";
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Bobby Convey
Club team: Reading, England
International appearances: 39
Goals: 1
Clint Dempsey
Club team: New England Revolution
International appearances: 21
Goals: 5
John O'Brien
Club team: Chivas USA
International appearances: 31
Goals: 3
Ben Olsen
Club team: D.C. United
International appearances: 34
Goals: 6
The details: All four reserves could play key roles. O'Brien is a U.S. mainstay, excellent at controlling the field and distributing the ball, though he's been limited by injuries this season. Olsen and Convey are explosive on the wing, while Dempsey, a former MLS rookie of the year, is excellent with the ball at his feet and a fine finisher.";
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spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i-1].body = "
Club team: Hannover 96 (Germany)
International appearances: 35
Goals: 1
Height: 5-6
Weight: 145
Age: 27
The details: Cherundolo, much like Lewis on the opposite side, is a fast, man-marking defender who will scoot up the right wing to aid the attack with a well-threaded outlet pass. Like Lewis, too, Cherundolo is small and can be knocked off a ball if the defensive matchup is not a good one. Bruce Arena, no dummy, will make certain Cherundolo is not asked to do the impossible.
Another impossible thing for Cherundolo: scoring goals. That’s not his job, but it would be nice if he appeared a bit more dangerous around an opponent’s box.
For Cherundolo, this World Cup offers a second chance. He was knocked out of the 2002 tournament with a knee injury. Cherundolo has now played eight seasons with Hannover, invaluable experience, and the likable player was voted Vice Captain on the German club.";
spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i++] = new Array("","Eddie Lewis","Eddie Lewis, with ball","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/z_Projects_in_progress/060512_worldcup_app/060515_worldcup_lewis.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Phil Cole", "Getty Images file", "273", "334", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i-1].body = "
Club team: Leeds United (England)
International appearances: 70
Goals: 8
Height: 5-10
Weight: 155
Age: 32
The details: In a country sadly lacking in left-footed prowess, Lewis has moved up the soccer ladder on the strength of this rare American skill. He loves to flash up the left wing, then serve a swinging cross to the likes of Brian McBride. Lewis is also useful on set pieces, when a curving left footer is in order.
While Lewis is fast and a danger as an attacking defender, his downside remains his lack of size and a tendency to get caught out of position. He used to be truly unpredictable, becoming invisible for long stretches, but continued experience in top level matches has made Lewis more dependable.
If he fails, Bobby Convey can step into a similar role on the left side.";
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Club team: Standard Liege (Belgium)
International appearances: 14
Goals: 1
Height: 6-4
Weight: 210
Age: 24
The Details: Here is some young blood on defense, finally, who has been gaining experience in France and Belgium’s professional leagues.
Do not underestimate the importance of Onyewu’s size. In the very first match, the U.S. will be facing the Czech Republic and in all likelihood its giant striker, Jan Koller, who is nearly 6-8. Onyewu is a great force in the air, and will be expected to knock Koller off the ball.
Onyewu is still a relative baby in international play, still learning his position, and can be burned on occasion. This is a scary notion, considering the surgeon-like attacks upcoming by the Czechs and Italians.
But Onyewu can make up for mistakes with his sheer physicality, and can intimidate opponents as he did in his stare-down of Jaret Borgetti of Mexico during a 2005 qualifier.";
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spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i-1].body = "
Club team: Real Salt Lake
International appearances: 80
Goals: 8
Height: 6-1
Weight: 180
Age: 32
The details: Old reliable Pope is traditionally the mainstay of the defensive line, both quick and big enough to mark nearly any opponent.
The problem for Pope has been one of durability. He has been knocked out of many tournaments and important matches due to knee problems and other nagging injuries.
Pope is MLS-based, a bit of a drawback. But he has invaluable experience in big international games, and is tied with Keller and Reyna with 31 World Cup qualifying matches.
The key is to keep him healthy, because we have seen how the U.S. backline can dissolve into chaos without its anchor in position.";
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spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i-1].body = "
Chris Albright
Club team: Los Angeles Galaxy
International appearances: 20
Goals: 1
Gregg Berhalter
Club team: 1860 Munich, Germany
International appearances: 44
Goals: 0
Carlos Bocanegra
Club team: Fulham, England
International appearances: 40
Goals: 6
Jimmy Conrad
Club team: Kansas City Wizards
International appearances: 15
Goals: 0
The details: Conrad was a surprise addition, while Albright replaced Frankie Hejduk due to an injury. Bocanegra, a key contributor in 2002, will be the man to spell anyone along the backline. Berhalter, a replacement after Cory Gibbs injured himself during World Cup training camp, was reliable during the season, but may not see much action.";
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spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i++] = new Array("","Kasey Keller","Kasey Keller","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/z_Projects_in_progress/060512_worldcup_app/060515_worldcup_keller.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Patrik Stollarz", "AFP-Getty Images file", "261", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i-1].body = "
Club team: Borussia Monchengladbach (Germany)
International appearances: 94
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190
Age: 36
The details: The U.S. will try something different with a calmer presence in the net this time around. Keller is a far cry from Brad Friedel, the passionate, backline organizer at the Japan/Korea World Cup. Keller is more cerebral, less vocal, always calculating angles and positioning.
Keller has extraordinary reflexes and plenty of big-match experience in England (Tottenham), Germany and at the World Cup level. Keller leads the U.S. keepers in career saves, and recorded five shutouts in seven World Cup qualifiers in 2005.
He’s never won a World Cup finals match, though. Tim Howard of Manchester United is ready, in case of injury. As always, if the U.S. fails to advance, it won’t be because of its goalkeeping.";
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spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i-1].body = "
Marcus Hahnemann
Club team: Reading, England
International appearances: 6
Tim Howard
Club team: Manchester United, England
International appearances: 16
The details: Howard is the man to watch, though he may not get much time in net. Keller is one of the world's best keepers, which means Howard will likely be watching during this Cup. But at just 27, he's Team USA's future.";
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spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i++] = new Array("","Bruce Arena","Bruce Arena","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/040330/040330_arena_vmed_1p.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Tony Gutierrez", "AP", "290", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i-1].body = "
Age: 54
Years as coach: Eight.
The details: Under Arena’s reign, the U.S. national team has accomplished more than ever before, and arguably more than was once deemed reasonable. The Americans reached the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, they are now the defending Gold Cup champs and are currently, incredibly, ranked No. 4 in the world by the somewhat wacky FIFA computer.
It is hard to fault Arena on almost any of his work. He knows America’s suddenly deep talent pool, and has deployed his players with a deft touch. He is a great believer in going with in-form athletes, often ignoring reputation when making out a starting lineup. He has a feel for selecting reserves who will boost teams, not subvert them with grumpiness.
If he has also been a bit lucky along the way (see: Portugal vs. South Korea, 2002 World Cup, a match that might have eliminated the Americans in the first round), then he has also taken advantage of every break.
Arena is not the most personable guy in the world, and hasn’t done all he can to promote the sport in the U.S. But that may not be his job. He had hoped to be offered a prestigious European club position by now, and that hasn’t happened -- a prejudice against Americans runs deep in international soccer circles. Instead, he has dedicated himself indefinitely to the national team, and to advancing out of group play once again at this World Cup."; spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i++] = new Array("","Projected lineup","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060505/060505_USworldcuproster_hlg_6p.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "273", "324", "", "", "", "", ""); spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i++] = new Array("","VOTE","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); spt_soccer_US_Cup_roster[i++] = new Array("spt_0904_US_World_Cup","VOTE","","","","", "lv", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); // END editorial data