Soccer America Executive Editor Mike Woitalla reports from San Pedro Sula, Honduras. A “circle of security” would accompany the USA, Honduras daily La Prensa announced on Monday morning. In anticipation of Wednesday’s qualifying game, La Prensa reported the details of the USA’s four-day stay — from its laundry schedule to meal plans. When “Los Arena’s Boys” did arrive on Monday afternoon they were met by nine TV cameras and a horde of print and radio reporters. But the players moved swiftly to their hotel rooms to prepare for a practice that was closed to the Honduran reporters — who waited outside the stadium and asked anyone who looked like an American, “Who didn’t travel?” Rumors of last-minute injuries had spread to Honduras and the local press tried hard to figure out if one of the men in white polo shirts and blue sweat pants was Claudio Reyna. Or if the most famous American player was indeed injured. Even the American press — eight by Monday — had to watch closely, as the team disembarked from its bus, to figure out the USA roster (which appears below). U.S. Soccer is once again being secretive about Coach Bruce Arena’s personnel. But this much is clear: Scratched because of injury were Landon Donovan, Claudio Reyna, Eddie Pope and Brian McBride. Because Joe-Max Moore was already unavailable because of injury, Arena’s options in the attack have been severely decreased. Arena refused to offer any hints on the probable starters. But considering the scenario created by the injuries, a likely lineup could be: Keller; Cherundolo, Llamosa, Agoos, Regis; Sanneh, Armas, Mathis, Lewis; Wolff, Razov. “I think we’re going to win the game,” Arena said. “I’m not worried about who’s missing. It’s about getting the guys who are here ready to play, and they’ll be fine.” “We made a roster two weeks and it’s probably changed by eight players. They say s*** happens and s*** happens. We’ve had some unfortunate injuries. [Landon] Donovan cracked his rib in that incident in Trinidad. [A collision during the U-20 World Cup qualifying tournament]. “[Claudio] Reyna was going to be a question mark all along. [Brian] McBride had his [knee] injury since he was still at Preston North End and hadn’t completely gotten over it so it didn’t seem to make sense bringing him here. “The [Eddie] Pope thing [toe injury] came up rather late. S*** happens.” MORE DEPTH IN 2001 But Arena believes that his squad now has the depth to contend with the spate of injuries. “Last year we had to rely on some guys who weren’t experienced at all,” Arena said. “All of these guys who are going to be on the field, for the most part, are experienced. I’m confident.” Earnie Stewart is also banged up but Arena believes he’ll be fit on Wednesday, based on his Monday practice performance. PREKI SURPRISE The biggest surprise has been the appearance of 37-year-old Preki — who admits he was probably more surprised than anyone to make a comeback. He last played for the USA against Yugoslavia in the final game of France ’98. “I never thought about playing on the national team again,” Preki said. “But I always give my best in games, whether their scrimmages or anything else, and if someone notices, that’s great.” Arena noticed. “I watched all the MLS preseason games,” he said. “When we lost Landon in the last second, and with Claudio out, we were a little thin in an area where we could use an attacking midfielder. And when you really think about it, Preki’s the best guy. He played very well in the MLS games. “If you need a guy to play 15 or 30 minutes — he knows at this point in his career at this level he’s a 45-minute player at best. But I think he can help us if needed.” The 18 USA players who arrived in Honduras Goalkeepers: Brad Friedel, Kasey Keller Defenders Jeff Agoos, Gregg Berhalter, Steve Cherundolo, Carlos Llamosa, David Regis, Tony Sanneh. Midfielders Chris Armas, Cobi Jones, Eddie Lewis, Clint Mathis, Preki, Earnie Stewart, Richie Williams. Forwards Chris Albright, Ante Razov, Josh Wolff.