In a media conference call held April 14, U.S. national team coach Steve Sampson announced that midfielder John Harkes will not be a part of the roster for France ’98. Sampson said the decision was based on technical and leadership issues. He was upset at Harkes’ unwillingness to embrace a more defensive role, particularly that of left back. Sampson declined to discuss the leadership concerns. Harkes, who had previously been named “captain-for-life” was an integral part of the U.S. squads at Italia ’90 and USA ’94.