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Hahnemann Gives U.S. a Real Cutup in Goal

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Times Staff Writer

There’s something about Marcus Hahnemann and goalkeeper jerseys.

First, he keeps ruining them by cutting off the sleeves. Then, not satisfied with that, he gets rid of them after every game. Tosses them into the crowd.

When the next soccer game comes around, he grabs a new one and, first thing you know, out come the scissors.

There is method to Hahnemann’s madness, however.

It might not be evident tonight when Hahnemann starts in the nets for the United States against Cuba at Qwest Field in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, but it certainly is evident to fans of Reading FC in England.

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The 6-foot-3, 220-pound American goalkeeper has become something of a folk hero to supporters of the First Division club, and not only because he is helping it seriously challenge for promotion to the Premier League.

It was at Reading that Hahnemann began tailoring his jersey to better suit his needs -- he prefers short sleeves or no sleeves -- and it was at Reading that he started rewarding fans who chanted “USA, USA” in his honor or who brought American flags to games by giving them, quite literally, the shirt off his back.

The club thought it an extravagantly expensive gesture, so Hahnemann, 33, picks up the cost himself. It’s the least he can do for those who have taken him to heart.

“The fans have been great to me there,” he said after training Wednesday evening. “They realize my passion for the game and how hard I work and how much it means to me playing over there. Most people don’t get that opportunity.”

There’s another opportunity Hahnemann would like to take full advantage of -- the chance to go to Germany next summer as part of the U.S. World Cup squad.

Coach Bruce Arena will take three goalkeepers. One of them, Kasey Keller, is a lock. He is not only the U.S. starter but one of the world’s best. And now that Brad Friedel, the U.S. hero from the Korea/Japan ’02 World Cup, has retired from the national team, there is no clear backup.

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Arena was asked Wednesday whether Hahnemann has established himself as No. 2 in the absence this summer of Manchester United’s Tim Howard, who is taking a much-needed break.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Arena replied, “but he’s a better goalkeeper than I anticipated. I think his experiences in England have been real good for him. He’s a good ‘keeper.

“He’s going to have an opportunity to show how he can play, and I think that certainly positions him to be among our three ‘keepers for Germany ’06.”

Phil Weddon, who along with 1962 World Cup standout Milutin Soscik coaches the U.S. goalkeepers, put it another way.

“I don’t think anyone is close to Kasey Keller, he’s a different breed of goalkeeper,” Weddon said.

“One thing Marcus definitely has is experience. Of all our goalkeepers, he played the most games last year. He played every minute of every game for Reading, at a good level, and that put him in a good position for this year. He’s performing well here.

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“He’s earned it. He’s definitely in the mix for the World Cup.”

Keller’s skills are extraordinary, but Hahnemann has his strengths.

“Marcus just has an amazing physical presence,” Weddon said. “Obviously, he’s a big boy, but his ability to get himself behind the ball, his positioning, is very, very good. His distribution is fantastic. He strikes a great ball with either foot. Because of his experience, his ability to read the game tactically sets him apart from other goalkeepers.”

And then there is his personality. He fits the goalkeeper mold -- just a tad crazy. While Keller went to Hawaii with his wife and kids to get a break after the most recent World Cup qualifier, Hahnemann took his family to Disneyland and then headed for Mt. Whistler.

“I tried to kill myself on the mountain bike,” he said. “It was good.”

Weddon understands. He was a goalkeeper himself.

“I think Marcus has a great sense of humor,” he said. “He enjoys life. He enjoys what he does. That’s something he’s very fortunate with. Some people take this too seriously, but he enjoys every aspect of the game.”

For Hahnemann, a former Seattle Pacific star who played three years for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer before going to England, today’s game is a homecoming.

He intends to celebrate.

Someone get ready to catch a U.S. jersey without sleeves.

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Gold Cup

Facts and figures on the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup:

* When: Through July 24.

* Where: Group play and knock-out-rounds at seven sites, with championship game at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.

* Defending champion: Mexico (2003).

* Format: Round-robin play for three four-team groups, with first- and second-place teams advancing along with best two third-place teams to quarterfinals.

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* Teams: Group A -- Colombia, Honduras, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago; Group B -- Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, United States; Group C -- Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, South Africa.

* Today’s games: At Qwest Field, Seattle -- Costa Rica vs. Canada, 5:30 p.m., Galavision; United States vs. Cuba, 7:45 p.m., Telefutura.

* Games in the Southland: Friday at Home Depot Center -- Mexico vs. South Africa, 7 p.m., Univision; Guatemala vs. Jamaica, 9 p.m., Galavision. Sunday at the Coliseum -- Mexico vs. Guatemala, noon, Univision; Jamaica vs. South Africa, 2:15 p.m., Galavision.

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