World Cup Preview: USA Player Bios

The players

Never has the U.S. taken such an experienced squad to the World Cup. For the first time in five appearances, each team member plays in a bona fide outdoor pro league. And more than half have been on a previous World Cup squad. Caps (national team appearances) and goals represent figures as of June 2.

Marcelo Balboa

Childhood Memory
''I was about 13 or 14 and playing soccer, football and baseball. My father said that if I wanted to go far in sports, I should choose one. I enjoyed soccer the most, so it was an easy decision.''

Position: Defender
Club: Colorado Rapids
Height: 6-1 Weight: 175
Born: Aug. 8, 1967, in Chicago
Hometown: Cerritos, Calif.
College: San Diego State, Cerritos JC.
Previous Clubs: San Diego Nomads, San Francisco BayBlackhawks, Colorado Foxes, Leon (Mexico).
Caps: 126 Goals: 13.

He has represented the U.S. more often than any player in history. Played defensive midfielder as a 22-year-old at Italia '90, and as a central defender was one of only five U.S. players to play every minute of every game at USA '94. Was not a regular starter in World Cup warmup games this year.

Chad Deering

Childhood Memory
''When I was 10, I played baseball and soccer. When I joined St. Louis Busch Gardens SC, my dad wouldn't buy me black soccer shoes, so I had to wear my white baseball shoes. All the kids laughed at me. When they saw that I could play, they also wanted white shoes.''

Position: Midfielder
Club: VfL Wolfsburg (Germany)
Height: 6-1 Weight: 165
Born: Sept. 2, 1970, in Plano, Texas
Hometown: Plano, Texas
College: Indiana
Previous Clubs: Werder Bremen (Germany), Schalke 04 (Germany), Kickers Emden (Germany).
Caps: 10 Goals: 1

Left college early to forge a career in Germany at 20. Two of seven years abroad were spent in the First Division, including 1997-98, when he played 15 games for Wolfsburg. An excellent passer and generally an attack-minded player, he was slotted into a defensive midfield role after John Harkes' departure.

Brad Friedel

Childhood Memory
''Winning a state championship and going to the regionals… We were a small club from Bay Village, Ohio, with only 18,000 people in it.''

Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Liverpool (England)
Height: 6-4 Weight: 202
Born: May 18, 1971, in Lakewood, Ohio
Hometown: Bay Village, Ohio
College: UCLA
Previous Clubs: Broendby (Denmark), Galatasaray (Turkey), Columbus Crew.
Caps: 56

Earlier this year, he realized his dream of playing in England, with Liverpool no less, after years of work-permit battles. Despite his talent – generally flawless, strong in the air, quick reflexes – Friedel is likely to spend his second World Cup on the bench. In 1994, the U.S. had its captain, Tony Meola, in goal. Now Kasey Keller stands in the way.

Jeff Agoos

Childhood Memory
''My dad was coach. I wanted to play goalie. I didn't get the ball at all and was bored. I stormed off the field and insisted I play in the field. He put me back in goal. Later he said he'd been planning to move me into attack, but I made such a mess of things that he changed his mind.''

Position:Defender
Club: D.C. United
Height: 5-10 Weight: 175
Born: May 2, 1968, in Geneva, Switzerland
Hometown: Dallas
College: Virginia
Previous Clubs: Maryland Bays, Dallas Sidekicks, SV Wehen (Germany).
Caps: 87 Goals: 3

A late cut from the 1994 World Cup squad, Agoos has been a regular for the past two years and played in 14 of the 16 U.S. qualifying games for France '98. Most comfortable as a left-sided defender – he's a natural lefty – Agoos is a good passer and has poise on the ball.

Mike Burns

Childhood Memory
''The first time I got called into the U.S. U-16 team by Roy Rees. It was preparation for the 1987 U-17 World Cup. I went through the ODP process, but I didn't make the regional team. He remembered me from a camp, and took me anyway. I finally got a chance. The rest took care of itself.''

Position: Defender
Club: New England Revolution
Height: 5-9 Weight: 165
Born: Sept. 14, 1970, in Marlborough, Mass.
Hometown: Marlborough, Mass.
Previous Clubs: Viborg (Denmark)
Caps: 73 Goals: 0

Always ready when U.S. needs to fill a slot on backline, and even midfield. Came off the bench in seven qualifiers and started in four, then had solid 1998 Gold Cup. He's the only U.S. player to have been on roster for all of FIFA's four world championships, and aims for playing time after sitting on bench for USA '94.

Frankie Hejduk

Childhood Memory
''I started playing AYSO at 5, about the same time I started surfing. Surfing was like second nature to me. I started competing same as soccer – one weekend soccer, one weekend surfing. But when I won a soccer scholarship to UCLA, it seemed like a smart move.''

Position: Midfielder
Club: Tampa Bay Mutiny
Height: 5-8 Weight: 155
Born: Aug. 5, 1974, in La Mesa, Calif.
Hometown: Cardiff, Calif.
College: UCLA
Caps: 11 Goals: 2

The 23-year-old only got two starts in 1996 and 1997, but came into camp this year super fit – a requisite for a flank midfielder – and nailed down a starting spot. Able to cover acres of space and more dangerous in attack than solid in defense. Struggled with hamstring injury on eve of finals.

Cobi Jones

Childhood Memory
''When I was 10 or 11, in the Glendora soccer tournament, I scored two goals in the tournament from the midfield line, in two separate games.''

Position: Midfielder
Club: L.A. Galaxy
Height: 5-7 Weight: 145
Born: June 16, 1970, in Detroit
Hometown: Westlake Village, Calif.
College: UCLA
Previous Clubs: Vasco da Gama (Brazil), Coventry City (England).
Caps: 107 Goals: 8

International scouts took notice of the speedster at the 1992 Olympics, but he prepared for USA '94 as a full-time U.S. player and appeared in all four games – three off the bench. His stints in England and Brazil were short, but he's become one of the MLS's best. May be charged with covering an entire side of the field in France.

Alexi Lalas

Childhood Memory
''At age 6, we moved to Greece, where we lived until I was 10. I was an American kid transplanted into a totally different culture. I was lucky as hell to pick up soccer. It enabled me to fit in and have friends.''

Position: Defender
Club: MetroStars
Height: 6-3 Weight: 195
Born: June 1, 1970, in Birmingham, Mich.
Hometown: Birmingham, Mich.
College: Rutgers
Previous Clubs: Padova (Italy), New England Revolution.
Caps: 98 Goals: 9

Central defender became a world star at USA '94 as the U.S. defense stood out. Lasted almost two seasons in Italian Serie A before returning for MLS inaugural season as marquee player. While less than brilliant in MLS play, also suffered when Sampson implemented less rigid defensive scheme.

Brian McBride

Childhood Memory
''I was 8, and playing kick-the-can, when I hid behind a house. I saw a friend with soccer gear and asked where he was going. He said, 'The tryout,' which I had forgotten about. I left in the middle of the game, went to the tryout, and made my first traveling team.''

Position: Forward
Club: Columbus Crew
Height: 6-0 Weight: 175
Born: June 19, 1972, in Arlington Heights, Ill.
Hometown: Arlington Heights, Ill.
College: St. Louis
Previous Clubs: Milwaukee Rampage, VfL Wolfsburg (Germany).
Caps: 21 Goals: 5

While his height and exceptional leap invites high balls, he is actually quite skillful with his feet. Was the MLS No. 1 draft pick after a short stint in German Second Division. Scored 17 goals for the Crew in 1996, but plagued by injuries in 1997. Made case for lone forward spot after Wynalda injury in 1998.

Eddie Pope

Childhood Memory
''I started playing soccer when I was too young for Pop Warner football. By the time I was 13 and playing regular club ball, I was hooked. After one-year as a placekicker in college, I started concentrating just on soccer.''

Position: Defender
Club: D.C. United
Height: 6-1 Weight: 180
Born: Dec. 24, 1973, in Greensboro, N.C.
Hometown: High Point, N.C.
College: North Carolina
Caps: 23 Goals: 3

The steady defender earned his way onto Sampson's team with a solid performance during the 1996 Olympics. In 13 starts during qualifying play, his play was perhaps the most consistent on the team. A tenacious, clean marking back, he was instrumental in D.C. United's two MLS titles and has turned down opportunities abroad.

Kasey Keller

Childhood Memory
''Winning the Silver Ball at the U-20 World Championships in Saudi Arabia was pretty special. To be up there on the podium with Pele, shaking his hand while he gave the award to me, is not something a lot of players have a chance to do.''

Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Leicester City (England)
Height: 6-2 Weight: 190
Born: Nov. 29, 1969, in Olympia, Wash.
Hometown: Lacey, Wash.
College: Portland
Previous Clubs: Portland Timbers, Millwall (England)
Caps: 33

After his phenomenal performance in the 1-0 win over Brazil in February, Keller has a chance to confirm himself as a world-class keeper. A backup in Italia '90, he was left off the 1994 squad by Bora Milutinovic despite having already established himself in the English pro game, where since he's played more than 200 games.

Brian Maisonneuve

Childhood Memory
''At 13 or 14, my buddies and I would watch the 1986 World Cup highlight tape over and over, then go in the backyard and do everything that they did, celebrate the goals and just act real stupid. We'd get the video camera out and tape each other.''

Position: Midfielder
Club: Columbus Crew
Height: 5-11 Weight: 170
Born: June 28, 1973, in Warren, Mich.
Hometown: Warren, Mich.
College: Indiana
Caps: 7 Goals: 0

After an impressive 1996 Olympic performance, injuries delayed his integration into the senior team. But he fit perfectly into Sampson's new 3-6-1 lineup – next to Deering as his defensive midfield partner. Part of a new generation of American players – from college to MLS to national team.

Joe-Max Moore

Childhood Memory
''My father was an owner of the NASL's Tulsa Roughnecks [in 1979] and I became a ballboy. Hanging around with all the players was great. I was always in the locker room. Maybe that's when my dream to be a professional player started.''

Position: Midfielder/Forward
Club: New England Revolution
Height: 5-9 Weight: 150
Born: Feb. 23, 1971, in Tulsa, Okla.
Hometown: Irvine, Calif.
College: UCLA
Previous Clubs: Saarbruecken (Germany), Nuremberg (Germany).
Caps: 68 Goals: 17

Came to MLS after a high-scoring stint in German Second Division. Can play up front, or in most midfield positions, but hadn't settled into a spot during 1998 warmup games – partly because an injury set him back. Extremely diligent and goal hungry.

Preki Radosavljevic

Childhood Memory
''I was 18 when I stepped out onto the field for Red Star in Belgrade for the first time. It was unbelievable. When I was a kid, I had dreamed about playing in that kind of stadium, with that kind of crowd. It was beautiful. I believe we won 6-4.''

Position: Midfielder
Club: Kansas City Wizards
Height: 5-9 Weight: 165
Born: June 24, 1963, in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
Hometown: San Jose, Calif.
Previous Clubs: Red Star (Yugoslavia), Tacoma Stars, Estr. Amadora (Portugal), Everton (England), Portsmouth (England), San Jose Grizzlies.
Caps: 24 Goals: 4

He served notice of his golden left foot when he scored the lone goal in the U.S. win over Brazil with a long-range rocket. That goal – and most of his brilliance for the U.S. – came after coming after the bench, so he's been typecast as supersub. Came to U.S. at age 21, naturalized in 1996.

Tab Ramos

Childhood Memory
''We played in the street [in Uruguay]. The drivers knew there would be kids, so they were careful. We played with a plastic ball…. It was lighter, and we couldn't bend or chop a real ball. We had all sorts of games we invented, like you had to play the ball off the curb, or off a tree.''

Position: Midfielder
Club: MetroStars
Height: 5-7 Weight: 140
Born: Sept. 21, 1966, in Montevideo, Uruguay
Hometown: Kearny, N.J.
College: North Carolina State
Previous Clubs: New Jersey Eagles, Miami Sharks, Figueras (Spain), Real Betis (Spain), Tigres (Mexico).
Caps: 80 Goals: 7

His dribbling skills and midfield dynamism have made him the best U.S. talent of the last decade. He suffered two serious knee injuries since 1996 and raced the clock to recover from the latest. If healthy, he can be the most dangerous U.S. attacking weapon, but the injury and Sampson's formation changes have clouded his status.

Claudio Reyna

Childhood Memory
''Our club's field in New Jersey had non-stop soccer on it, so it was just dirt and rocks. Until I was college-age, I played every club home game on a dirt field. It definitely made me appreciate grass, but I think playing on dirt helps develop your skills.''

Position: Midfielder
Club: VfL Wolfsburg
Height: 5-9 Weight: 160
Born: July 20, 1973, in Livingston, N.J.
Hometown: Springfield, N.J.
College: Virginia
Previous Clubs: Bayer Leverkusen (Germany).
Caps: 59 Goals: 6

A nationally known star since age 15, Reyna's 1994 World Cup ended before its started – with a hamstring injury. He then went to Germany, where he has since established himself as a standout playmaker. Reyna's perfect passing and ability to hold the ball under pressure have convinced Sampson to build the team around him.

Ernie Stewart

Childhood Memory
''I just played street soccer until I was 12, and in street soccer there's no offside. In my first organized game, I was called offside 25-30 times. After the game they explained the rule to me.''

Position: Midfielder
Club: NAC Breda (Netherlands)
Height: 5-9 Weight: 145
Born: March 28, 1969, in Veghel, Netherlands
Hometown: Uden, Netherlands
Previous Clubs: VV Venlo (Netherlands), Willem II (Netherlands).
Caps: 47 Goals: 6

Scorer of one of most important goals in U.S. history – he hit the winner against Colombia at USA '94. Sampson utilized his speed mostly on the wings, but may use him as a withdrawn forward. Raised in Netherlands, son of U.S. serviceman, and spent his entire pro career in the Netherlands. Joined U.S. squad in 1990.

Eric Wynalda

Childhood Memory
''I was 10, and my Calabasas Shooting Stars went to Seattle for the U-12 final against an Oregon team we had already beaten 8-3. Mount St. Helens blew up, the Oregon team couldn't show up. We couldn't be champions and had a 24-hour busride that was scary as hell.''

Position: Forward
Club: San Jose Clash
Height: 6-1 Weight: 172
Born: June 9, 1969, in Fullerton, Calif.
Hometown: Westlake Village, Calif.
College: San Diego State
Previous Clubs: San Diego Nomads, San Francisco Bay Blackhawks, Saarbruecken (Germany), VfL Bochum (Germany)
Caps: 100 Goals: 32

Best scorer in U.S. history. With his lethal shot and ability to deliver the good pass, he's first choice to spearhead the U.S. attack. But an April knee injury had him fighting for fitness as the tournament approached. One of three holdovers – with Ramos and Balboa – from Italia '90.

David Regis

Childhood Memory
''When I was 5 or 6, we used to play soccer on the beach in Martinique under the clear blue sky and it was so beautiful and tranquil. I barely remember watching the 1974 World Cup, but I do recall that's when I knew I wanted to play in a World Cup.''

Position: Defender
Club: Karlsruhe (Germany)
Height: 5-10 Weight: 160
Born: Dec. 2, 1968, in Martinique
Hometown: Valenciennes, France
Previous Clubs: Valenciennes (France), Strasbourg (France), Lens (France).
Caps: 2 Goals: 0

Eligible for citizenship through his American wife, he was sworn in just in time to meet the roster deadline. Sampson discovered him after he had taken his career to Germany in 1997. The left-footer, who can handle both midfield and backline positions, played in 30 games, scoring five goals, as Karlsruhe was relegated last season.

Juergen Sommer

Childhood Memory
''When my club in Clearwater – my dad was one of the coaches – won a U-14 Florida title: Playing on that traveling team, with a great bunch of guys, really got me excited about competition. And playing at IU, thanks to Jerry Yeagley, prepared me for pro ball abroad.''

Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Columbus Crew
Height: 6-5 Weight: 215
Born: Feb. 27, 1969, in New York, N.Y.
Hometown: Naples, Fla.
College: Indiana
Previous Clubs: Luton Town (England), Torquay (England), Luton Town (England), Queen's Park Rangers (England).
Caps: 8

A testament to the U.S. depth at goalkeeper – Sommer played more than 150 games in English pro ball before joining MLS. He was also a backup at USA '94, but is the third keeper, behind Keller and Friedel.

Roy Wegerle

Childhood Memory
''Soccer was one of the first breakthroughs of South African Apartheid, and you don't forget something like that. I remember at age 16 or 17, being allowed to go into black townships, Soweto in particular, to play for a white team against a black team.''

Position: Forward
Club: Tampa Bay Mutiny
Height: 5-11 Weight: 170
Born: March 19, 1964, in Pretoria, South Africa
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
College: South Florida
Previous Clubs: Tampa Bay Rowdies, Tacoma Stars, Chelsea (England), Swindon (England), Luton Town (England), Queen's Park Rangers (England), Blackburn Rovers (England), Coventry (England), Colorado Rapids, D.C. United.
Caps: 39 Goals: 7

Returned to U.S. duty after being off roster for two years, and rewarded Sampson with goals in qualifying clincher against Canada. Had debuted for U.S. in 1992 and his smooth skills helped diversify U.S. attack, though he was limited to sub duty at USA '94. Hailed for leadership qualities.

U.S. World Cup Team Staff

General Manager: Tom King
Head Coach: Steve Sampson
Assistant Coach: Clive Charles
Assistant Coach: Thomas Rongen
Goalkeeper Coach: Milutin Soskic
Team Director: Pam Perkins
Press Officer: Jim Froslid
Physician: Dr. Bert Mandelbaum
Head Trainer: Andrew Rudawsky
Asst. Trainer: Ivan Pierra
Asst. Trainer: Jim Hashimoto
Team Psychologist: Jerry May
Chiropractor: George Billauer
Equipment Manager: John Cope
Security Officer: Jerry Rawlins