U.S. Tries to Avoid Bump in Road

Today, on a bumpy dirt and grass field in the Caribbean, the next chapter of U.S. soccer history will be given a name.

“Relief” is its most likely title. “Despair” is the all-too-unthinkable alternative.

Because today, the U.S. plays Barbados in a World Cup 2002 qualifying game that will go a long way toward determining the near-term future of men’s soccer in this country.

If the U.S. wins, as expected, it will advance to next year’s six-nation qualifying tournament for Japan-South Korea 2002.

If the U.S. loses and Guatemala defeats Costa Rica in another qualifying game being played simultaneously in Mazatenango, Guatemala, the Americans will be eliminated from World Cup contention.

The U.S. can lose and still go through, but only if Guatemala also ties or loses.

When the teams met three months ago in Foxboro, Mass., the U.S. was an easy 7-0 winner. But soccer is a strange game and sometimes emotion can affect the outcome as much as skill.

“It’s not unfair to say that if we don’t win in Barbados, we don’t deserve to be in the World Cup,” midfielder Tab Ramos said.

Today’s game will be played at the 4,000-seat National Stadium in Waterford on a playing surface that is patchy at best.

“It’s going to be very difficult for us to play good soccer,” U.S. goalkeeper Tony Meola said. “It will be bumpy. The only thing that will matter is the result. There will be a sense of urgency to this game.”