U.S. national team Bruce Arena has called up 18 players to face Jamaica on April 11 Cary, N.C., in the final match prior to naming his 23-man roster for the 2006 World Cup.
Three-time World Cup veteran Tony Meola will have an opportunity to earn his 100th cap for the United States at sold-out SAS Soccer Park in a match broadcast live on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. ET (tape-delay on Telemundo).
''Tony Meola has had an outstanding career for the national team with three World Cups to his credit, as well as 11 years in MLS,ö said Arena. ôIt's an honor for me and U.S. Soccer to recognize Tony's achievements in our sport by watching him earn his 100th cap for his country. We look forward to a special evening and recognizing Tony for an illustrious career.'' Landon Donovan, Eddie Pope and Frankie Hejduk, all scratched from the Germany-USA game on March because of health issues, return to the lineup. John OÆBrien, who hasnÆt played for the USA since the 2005 Gold Cup, was also called up.
In the all-MLS squad, the only MLS players who played against Germany and werenÆt called in for the Jamaica match were Chris Klein of Real Salt Lake and Jimmy Conrad of the Kansas City Wizards. Conrad is out following sports hernia surgery. KleinÆs World Cup hopes effectively died in Dortmund.
U.S. ROSTER:
Goalkeepers (2) — Tony Meola (New York Red Bulls), Matt Reis (New England Revolution)
Defenders (5) — Chris Albright (Los Angeles Galaxy), Nick Garcia (Kansas City Wizards), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Eddie Pope (Real Salt Lake), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids).
Midfielders (7) — Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Pat Noonan (New England Revolution), John OÆBrien (out of contract), Ben Olsen (D.C. United), Steve Ralston (New England Revolution), Kerry Zavagnin (Kansas City Wizards)
Forwards (4) — Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution), Josh Wolff (Kansas City Wizards).