U.S. to Play El Salvador in November
The United States men’s national team will make its first appearance since its 1-0 World Cup quarterfinal loss to Germany in June when it plays El Salvador on Nov. 17 at RFK Stadium in Washington, U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday.
“The World Cup was obviously very successful for us,” the federation quoted Coach Bruce Arena as saying, “but now we must begin the next four-year cycle of building a team capable of qualifying for the World Cup in Germany in 2006.
“The match against El Salvador will provide an opportunity to get a first look at some new faces.”
The U.S. is 8-1-4 against El Salvador, and defeated the Central Americans, 4-0, at the Rose Bowl in January en route to winning the Gold Cup. The November game will be televised live by ESPN.
Donovan Honored
Landon Donovan, one of the players responsible for the U.S. World Cup success, was honored in Beverly Hills, where the San Jose Earthquakes’ forward-midfielder was named Honda player of the year for 2002.
He defeated two other finalists, goalkeeper Brad Friedel and midfielder Claudio Reyna, in voting by 277 U.S. soccer reporters and broadcasters.
Donovan, 20, of Redlands, is the youngest recipient of the award, and said he felt somewhat embarrassed by that.
“You can make a case for Brad, Claudio or a lot of guys on our team,” he said. “I feel bad [for the other players]. I feel like the young guy shouldn’t win.”
Zambrano Fired
Former Galaxy coach Octavio Zambrano became the MetroStars’ former coach as well Tuesday when he was fired by the New York/New Jersey team, which failed to reach the Major League Soccer playoffs.
Zambrano was 41-37-8 in three seasons. He will remain with the MetroStars as director of player development.
Asian Games
South Korea, Japan, Thailand and defending champion Iran advanced to the semifinals of the Asian Games tournament in South Korea, each with 1-0 victories, but Iran’s hopes of retaining its title suffered a severe blow when veteran forward Ali Daei had to fly home to Tehran after the death of his father.
Iran defeated Kuwait on a free kick goal by midfielder Eman Mobali, but the team was left reeling by the loss of its top striker. Daei had scored three goals in three games in the tournament, but left before the Kuwait game.
South Korea’s victory over Bahrain in front of 43,000 fans in Ulsan, South Korea, came off a penalty kick by its captain, Lee Dong-Gook. The home team will play Iran in the semifinals.
Japan edged China on a 61st-minute goal by Satoshi Nakayama to reach the final four for the first time since 1970. In the semifinals, the Japanese will play Thailand, which overcame North Korea on a goal by midfielder Noyvach Manit.
Traffic Jams Referee
An automobile accident that caused a tremendous traffic jam outside Mexico City has resulted in the indefinite suspension of Mexican referee Antonio Marrufo and three fellow officials.
The start of Saturday’s Mexican league game between Puebla and Atlas had to be delayed for two hours because Marrufo, along with assistants Guadalupe Martinez, and Marvin Torrenera, and Daniel Cajas, the fourth official, were stuck in traffic.
“The referee has the duty to be at the stadium two hours before the start of the game,” a spokesman for Mexico’s soccer federation said.
Paid Too Much
Former Mexican national team player Ricardo Pelaez, who has come under criticism since it was revealed last week that he was being paid $24,606 a month as the director of national teams for the Mexican soccer federation, resigned from that post Tuesday.
“My resignation is solely for personal reasons,” Pelaez said. “I am not under pressure from anyone and I have not been fired. I have already received a lot from football and I don’t want this amount because I am not doing enough to deserve it.”
