Th following is the roster for the United States match against Peru Oct. 16 in Lima:
Goalkeepers — Jeff Cassar (Dallas Burn), Mark Dodd (Dallas Burn).
Defenders — Ramiro Corrales (San Jose Clash), Tayt Ianni (San Jose Clash), Zak Ibsen (Dallas Burn), Lawrence Lozzano (Dallas Burn), Tim Martin (San Jose Clash), Brandon Pollard (Dallas Burn).
Midfielders — Dario Brose (Saarbruecken, Germany), Mac Cozier (Columbus Crew), Jorge Flores (Dallas Burn), Henry Gutierrez (Rochester Rhinos), Paul Holocher (San Jose Clash), Eddie Lewis (San Jose Clash), Pete Marino (Columbus Crew).
Strikers — Scott Benedetti (Colorado Rapids), Jason Dunn (Seattle Sounders), Ted Eck (Dallas Burn), Jean Harbor (Colorado Rapids), Joey Leonetti (Seattle Sounders), A.J. Wood (MetroStars).
Due to an on-going dispute with U.S. Soccer over game appearance fees, only players who agreed to the U.S. contract were called up. The team for this game was expected to be essentially a “B” team to begin with, but the U.S. team is devoid of recent international experience. Only Lawrence Lozzano has represented the United States in ’95 or later. Steve Sampson’s options were further limited by the MLS semifinals.
In a statement, U.S. Soccer said “agents have rejected our efforts, which would have produced national team soccer players who would have been among the most highly compensated in the world.” The statement went on to say that U.S. Soccer had made an offer “of much greater magnitude than what was in effect for the 1994 World Cup.”
An agreement with U.S. national team regulars is needed before the United States opens France ’98 qualifying play against Guatemala Nov. 3 in Washington, D.C.