The following is a transcript of the teleconference May 21 during which Steve Sampson announced that Claudio Reyna and Ernie Stewart will probably play this Sunday in Portland against Kuwait:
Head Coach Steve Sampson
On the state of the team: “I think we are much healthier now. Claudio Reyna and Ernie Stewart are looking better every single day … Frankie Hejduk will not play. It is too early for him and we don’t want to push this injury. Claudio and Ernie look very good and are on track to receive significant playing time this weekend.”
On Eric Wynalda: “He is progressing every day. We’re starting to see the liveliness and enthusiasm of the old Eric Wynalda. I have to say that it’s up in the air about his playing time (against Kuwait). At this time it would be difficult to start him … Eric Wyanlda wants to make a statement in this World Cup and I expect he will be prepared, both mentally and physically, to play in France … I am not concerned with his fitness from a lung capacity standpoint. I am concerned with the strength of his legs at the moment.”
On Roy Lassiter: “There’s always the option to bring in someone like Roy Lassiter to replace one of the goalkeepers. I have until June 2nd to make a decision though … The thing to remember is that Roy has not consistently scored goals for the national team and I have to weigh that … (However) if there were to be someone I would bring in today it would be Roy Lassiter.”
On his goals for the match vs. Kuwait: “First of all, I was very pleased with the Macedonia match; specifically with the number of chances we created. Our goal is to play with fluidity in the attack and defensively, to not have a single lapse during the game. We have to shore it up in the back, but I’m confident that we will play a more complete game against Kuwait.”
On his own personal World Cup experience: “I’ll never forget being on the team bus going from downtown Pasadena to the Rose Bowl (prior to USA-Colombia in 1994). The bus had to go so slowly because there were so many fans waving flags and singing and cheering for us … We assumed that the vast majority of the fans would be there to root for Colombia … They were extremely boisterous … I remember after the game how players didn’t want to leave the field and wanted to soak up the moment.”
On the status of Brian McBride: “He trained today and the only thing he couldn’t do was head the ball. I expect he’ll be ready for the weekend … I don’t know if starting in the World Cup would be accurate (statement) … Certainly he would have made a stronger case to start in the World Cup had he scored a few of those goals against Macedonia. If nothing else, he would have made a case to start against Kuwait and Scotland … If he is given another chance it is very important for him to make the most of his scoring chances.”
On Iran’s coaching changes: “Obviously they are trying to make a statement. I’ve never seen a decision like this turn into a positive one, but you never know. Even thought they had a poor result (1-7 loss to AS Roma on Tuesday), two of their most prolific players were missing … Only the Iranian Federation knows what’s best for them. You have to respect their decision.”
On Predrag Mijatovic, who scored for Real Madrid in the European Champions League final: “I think he played an excellent match. The goal was a well-taken goal. He’s one of those players that can have an exceptional World Cup this summer. But then again, Yugoslavia has several players in the same situation.”
On the possibility of Kasey Keller starting in the World Cup: “I’ve publicly stated that Kasey is our number one ‘keeper.”
On is plans for David Regis and Mike Burns: “David Regis will get at least 45 minutes against Kuwait … We always have to be ready in case Germany comes with three forwards. And if that means moving a man-marker into a defensive role, then that gives us the flexibility to play with three man-markers or two man-markers at the back. It remains possible that Mike Burns will play that position. I plan to start Mike Burns (against Kuwait). If I start David Regis, it will not be to replace Burns. Mike has earned his position after his performance against Macedonia.”
U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller:
On preparing for the World Cup: “I think you must continue to do what you’ve done all along. If you try to reinvent the wheel, you’ll get into trouble … It’s a big event and you have to have faith in what you’ve done for the past several years.”
On the goals of the team, as opposed the team goals four years ago: “First and foremost, I think you have to go out and play well … A team like Germany and Brazil have gone out and won world cups without playing well in the opening round. We can’t do that. We have to perform well … We think we have the ability to get though to the second round and hope a few things fall in place for us after that.”
On the outlook for the Kuwait game: “It’s definitely a winnable game, but as we showed Brazil, anything can happen in a given day. There’s still chances for some player to start or not to start.”
On the 3-6-1 formation: “I don’t pay lots of attention to formation. It’s there for the kickoff and then people just go where they should. It’s worked out well. We are blessed with lots of good midfielders … You still have to go out and perform … It worked out great against Austria and the only thing lacking against Macedonia was the finishing.”
On what it means 1998 World Cup: “1994 was very difficult. This will be a great opportunity to step out against a side like Germany, in front of the people who have been watching me play for 6 years, and show how I can play. It’s going to be an experience of a lifetime.”
