John Harkes, who went from U.S. captain to spectator two months before France ’98, returned to the lineup and played the full 90 minutes against New Zealand.

SOCCER AMERICA: So, John, was it a fun return? JOHN HARKES: Yeah. It’s always good to get back on the field, put the shirt on. … It’s been a great atmosphere in camp, and the way things are being run here is very organized. Bruce [Arena] is great. SA: Can you compare what it’s like this time with how things were under Steve Sampson? JH: No, you can’t compare. It’s night and day, just night and day. SA: Then what would you say are the things that have improved the most? JH: I just think the professionalism. Bruce is relaxed, he knows how to get best out of his players, he has jokes with them now and again. He’s a real person. Guys want to play for him ù that’s the thing. He’s very organized, he knows what he needs to put on the field, his training sessions are short and sharp. … You know going into a training session that for an hour and a half you’ve got to be totally focused and working hard. That brings the best out of players. SA: Did you ever think, after Sampson discarded you in April 1998, that that was it for international soccer? JH: No, I never thought that. Every player wants to believe that if he works hard, he may get another opportunity. It’s nice to be back. It feels like I never left, really. It’s been a year, and I’ve put [what happened last year] away. Writing the book [Captain For Life] helped me as well. I think that was therapeutic. SA: Did you gain any satisfaction, in light of your ouster, from the national team’s failure in France and the aftermath? JH: No, there is no satisfaction for what happened in ’98. It was abysmal. It was the worst thing that could ever happen, not just for me but for the national team. It’s a shame because the ability was there. We had a lot of talented players, and we had great chemistry throughout World Cup qualifying. All of a sudden, things were being changed at the last minute. You can’t do that when you’re at the top level. Any team will tell you. What we’re trying to do, obviously, is bury that, put it away, and start something fresh. And I think this team has done very well ù it has a great record under Bruce. SA: What do you have to do to become a mainstay with this team? JH: Who knows? I guess that’s a question every player asks himself every day. I need to work hard, be dedicated and do the right things. And play the role Bruce wants me to play, whatever that is. SA: Have you talked to Steve Sampson in the past year. JH: No. SA: Do you anticipate talking with him again? JH: Not at all. by Soccer America Senior Editor Scott French in Guadalajara