World Cup ’94 : WORLD CUP USA ’94 GROUP A PREVIEW : America’s Team
Team USA is a true melting pot. Seven of the 22 members of the U.S. national soccer team were born outside the country, two in Uruguay.
Two of the imports were the sons of U.S. military personnel stationed abroad; three moved to the United States with their families as children. One attended college here, the other established himself as one of the best players in Major Indoor Soccer League history.
The other 15 team members have varied backgrounds. They hail from nine states, including four from California and three from New Jersey. Perhaps the most important import of all is Coach Bora Milutinovic, who directed Mexico and Costa Rica in previous World Cups, and was born in Bajina Basta, Yugoslavia.
Seven U.S. team members--John Harkes (Derby County, England), Cle Kooiman (Cruz Azul, Mexico), Tab Ramos (Real Betis, Spain), Juergen Sommer (Luton Town, England), Ernie Stewart (Willem II, Netherlands), Roy Wegerle (Coventry City, England) and Eric Wynalda (FC Saarbrucken, Germany)--play in European pro leagues.
THE COACH
NAME: Bora Milutinovic
BORN: Sept. 7, 1944, Bajina Basta, Yugoslavia
CUP EXPERIENCE: Led Mexico to a sixth-place finish in 1986 and Costa Rica to the second round in 1990. His teams are 5-2-2.
HIGHLIGHTS: Has coached in more than 150 international matches, believed to be a record ... Played 33 matches with the Yugoslavian national team ... Spent 12 years as a player and coach with the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico Pumas. He coached the team to two Mexican first division titles, two CONCACAF club championships and an inter-Americana Cup title ... Mexico’s 1986 World Cup team played West Germany to a scoreless tie before losing on penalty kicks ... Directed the U.S. team to a CONCACAF Gold Cup title in 1991 and a 2-0 upset of England in U.S. Cup ’93.
THE ASSISTANTS
Timo Liekoski
Sigi Schmid
Steve Sampson
Milutin Soskic
THE PLAYERS
MARCELO BALBOA Birthplace: Chicago Position: Defender Height: 6-1 Weight: 175 Cup Experience: Played three games for the United States in 1990. Status: Possible Starter.
MIKE BURNS Birthplace: Marlboro, Mass. Position: Midfielder Height: 5-9 Weight: 165 Cup Experience: None Status: Reserve
PAUL CALIGIURI Birthplace: Westminster Position: Defender Height: 5-10 Weight: 175 Cup Experience: Started three games for the United States in 1990. Status: Expected to start.
FERNANDO CLAVIJO Birthplace: Maldonado, Uruguay Position: Defender American Tie: Former MISL star. Became U.S. citizen in 1987. Height: 5-10 Weight: 160 Cup Experience: None Status: Reserve
THOMAS DOOLEY Birthplace: Bechhofen, Germany Position: Defender / Midfielder American Tie: Received U.S. citizenship in 1992. Father was a U.S. Army veteran. Height: 6-1 Weight: 168 Cup Experience: None Status: Expected to start and be mainstay.
BRAD FRIEDEL Birthplace: Lakewood, Ohio Position: Goalkeeper Height: 6-4 Weight: 202 Cup Experience: None Status: Expected to be No. 2 goalkeeper.
JOHN HARKES Birthplace: Kearny, N. Position: Midfielder Height: 5-11 Weight: 165 Cup Experience: Started all three games in 1990. Status: Expected to start.
COBI JONES Birthplace: Detroit Position: Midfielder / Forward Height: 5-7 Weight: 145 Cup Experience: None Status: Could provide offensive spark off the bench.
FRANK KLOPAS Birthplace: Athens, Greece American Tie: Raised in Chicago Position: Forward / Midfielder Height: 5-9 Weight: 155 Cup Experience: None Status: Could start if healthy.
CLE KOOIMAN Birthplace: Ontario Position: Defender Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Cup Experience: None Status: Starting candidate
ALEXI LALAS Birthplace: Birmingham, Mich. Position: Defender Height: 6-3 Weight: 195 Cup Experience: None Status: Expected to start.
MIKE LAPPER Birthplace: Redondo Beach Position: Defender Height: 6-0 Weight: 172 Cup Experience: None Status: Reserve
TONY MEOLA Birthplace: Belleville, N.J. Position: Goalkeeper Height: 6-1 Weight: 205 Cup Experience: The started in 1990 games. Status: Expected to start again.
JOE-MAX MOORE Birthplace: Tusla, Okla. Position: Midfielder Height: 5-9 Weight: 150 Cup Experience: None Status: Reserve
HUGO PEREZ Birthplace: San Salvador American Tie: Family moved to the United States at age 11. Position: Midfielder Height: 5-8 Weight: 155 Cup Experience: None Status: Will come off bench in second half.
TAB RAMOS Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay Position: Midfielder American Tie: Raised in Hillside, N.J. Father is a former Uruguayan professional. Height: 5-7 Weight: 140 Cup Experience: Started all three games in 1990. Status: Expected to start. Key to offense.
CLAUDIO REYNA Birthplace: Livingston, N.J. Position: Midfielder Height: 5-10 Weight: 160 Cup Experience: None Status: Could start.
JUERGEN SOMMER Birthplace: New York Position: Goalkeeper Height: 6-5 Weight: 215 Cup Experience: None Status: No. 3 goalkeeper.
MIKE SORBER Birthplace: St. Louis. Position: Midfielder Height: 5-10 Weight: 165 Cup Experience: None Status: Reserve
ERNIE STEWART Birthplace: Veghel, Holland Position: Midfielder / Forward American Tie: Father a retired U.S. Air Force veteran. Height: 5-9 Weight: 145 Cup Experience: None Status: Expected to start.
ROY WEGERLE Birthplace: Pretoria, South Africa Position: Forward American Tie: Received U.S. citizenship in 1991. Height: 5-11 Weight: 170 Cup Experience: None Status: Undetermined.
ERIC WYNALDA Birthplace: Fullerton Position: Forward Height: 6-1 Weight: 172 Cup Experience: Played in two games in 1990. Status: Expected to start.
