Wynalda a Pioneer After Joining Soccer Team in German League

Eric Wynalda, a 1987 Westlake High graduate and striker on the U. S. national soccer team, has signed a one-year contract to play for F. C. Saarbrucken near Frankfurt, Germany. Wynalda, 23, is the first American-born player to play in the Bundesliga, a top German league.

Wynalda, the second all-time leading scorer for the U. S. national team with 11 goals in 40 international matches, joined Saarbrucken during its current preseason schedule. Wynalda scored a goal in his debut July 4.

Wynalda was dropped from the U. S. team last month by Coach Bora Milutinovic for disciplinary reasons.

Wynalda is on loan to Saarbrucken from the United States Soccer Federation. He will remain eligible to compete for the U. S. for the 1994 World Cup to be held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

In his last five matches for the U. S. national team, Wynalda scored four goals, including two in a 5-0 victory over China in Palo Alto on April 4.

Wynalda also scored in a 2-1 victory over the Commonwealth of Independent States in January and in a 4-1 loss to Ireland in April.