AMERICA’S CHALLENGE

The United States, under Serbian-born coach Bora Milutinovic, has assembled what is unquestionably its finest and most experienced World Cup team ever.

The challenge facing the American players, however, is a daunting one. The United States must play Switzerland, Colombia and Romania in the first round, and each of them are powerful opponents.

No World Cup host nation has ever failed to advance to at least the second round, and the Americans are determined not to become the first. In their favor is Milutinovic’s reputation as a “miracle worker.” In 1986, he coached lightly regarded Mexico all the way to the quarterfinals and, four years ago in Italy, he coached tiny Costa Rica into the second round at the expense of such powers as Scotland and Sweden.

The U.S. team lost all three of its games in the 1990 tournament in Italy--its first World Cup appearance in 40 years--but since then many of America’s best players have gained invaluable experience playing professionally in Europe. Others, meanwhile, have undergone a rigorous, three-year period of preparation under Milutinovic’s guidance.

Among the American players likely to catch the eye during the tournament are goalkeeper Tony Meola, winger Cobi Jones, midfielders Tab Ramos and Cladio Reyna, and defenders Alexi Lalas and Thomas Dooley.

The United States opens play Saturday against Switzerland at the Pontiac Silverdome--the first World Cup match ever to be played indoors. It then plays Colombia and Romania at the Rose Bowl.

Defender Marcelo Balboa, a veteran of the last World Cup, believes the U.S. squad is better prepared than ever before.

“I think in 1990 we were scared,” he said. “We were going into a tournament where we had no clue what was going on. This year, the attitude is, ‘Hey, we can beat anybody.’ We’re not scared of anybody. I think the attitude is great. Now, we’ve just got to go out and do it.”

The fact that the World Cup is being played in the United States has added to the U.S. players’ confidence. They believe they will have a significant home field advantage.

“We’re at home, and in big situations and in big tournaments we’re a pretty difficult team to beat at home,” said Meola. “We just seem to rise to the occasion.”