The U.S. Soccer Federation has announced plans to field a team for the inaugural Championship of Heroes tournament taking place in Trinidad and Tobago in June. The eight-team tournament features former international players at least 35-years-old (or retired from professional soccer) from Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and host Trinidad & Tobago, in addition to the United States. Veteran U.S. forward Roy Wegerle, who earned 41 international caps as a member of two U.S. World Cup Teams, was appointed by U.S. Soccer as player/coach of the Heroes team and will be responsible for assembling the 20-player roster. Wegerle, who turned 35 earlier this year, recently retired from professional soccer after a distinguished career. “This is a great honor,” said Wegerle. “With some of the international names taking part, the tournament is sure to grab some worldwide attention. We’re starting from a scratch a bit with our team, but once we contact the players on our wish list, I’m confident we will be fielding a good, solid team.” To be eligible for selection, a player must have at least two international caps and be either a minimum 35-years-old as of Dec. 31, 1999, or retired from the professional game. The only other tournament stipulation requires seven of the 11 players on the field at all times to have at least 10 caps. The short list of eligible U.S. players includes former U.S. World Cup standouts Fernando Clavijo (1994 World Cup) and Thomas Dooley (1994 and 1998), as well as forward Eric Eichmann (1990). Dooley will miss the team’s first match on June 17 against Spain at the Centre of Excellence in Port-of- Spain, but has been released by the Columbus Crew for the games on June 19 vs. England and June 21 vs. Germany. Although the team will not have an official training camp together prior to their June 13 departure for Trinidad, Wegerle has designed a fitness training schedule for the team to ensure everyone arrives at close to the same fitness levels. The final roster must be submitted to FIFA by May 26. A number of famous names are rumored to be taking part in the tournament, including Andreas Brehme (Germany), Emilio Butragueno (Spain), Careca (Brazil), Gary Lineker (England), Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Germany), Chris Waddle (England), Ray Wilkins (England) and Zico (Brazil). The U.S. has been drawn into Group B with Spain, England and Germany. Group A consists of Brazil, France, Italy and Trinidad & Tobago. The top two teams from each group will meet in the semifinals on June 23 and 24. The third place match is scheduled for June 26 and the final is June 27. In addition to competing for prize money totaling more than $1.5 million, the teams will compete for the Joao Havelange Trophy, named in honor of the former FIFA President who will present it to the winning team at the Championship of Heroes Final in the National Stadium in Port-of-Spain on June 27.
Preliminary Player Pool
The final “Championship of Heroes” roster will be announced during the final week of May. … The 45 players listed below are eligible players selected for notification by coach Roy Wegerle. … A few players above have yet to be officially contacted by U.S. Soccer to verify their schedule availability. … Eligible players already contacted who are unable to participate have not been listed.| Name | Pos. | Date of Birth | Caps/Goals |
| Amr Aly | M | 8/01/62 | 8/0 |
| Desmond Armstrong | D | 11/2/64 | 81/0 |
| Jimmy Banks | D | 9/02/64 | 36/0 |
| Tony Bellinger | M | 12/8/57 | 7/1 |
| Chico Borja | M | 8/24/59 | 11/3 |
| Michael Brady | F | 7/01/64 | 3/0 |
| David Brcic | GK | 1/21/58 | 4/0 |
| Dan Canter | D | 11/16/61 | 9/0 |
| Fernando Clavijo | D | 1/23/57 | 61/0 |
| Michael Collins | M | 11/17/61 | 2/0 |
| Ricky Davis | M | 11/24/58 | 35/7 |
| Thomas Dooley | D/M | 5/12/61 | 81/7 |
| Jeff Duback | GK | 4/0 | |
| Jeff Durgan | D | 8/28/61 | 7/1 |
| Eric Eichmann | F | 5/07/65 | 29/4 |
| Dale Ervine | F | 5/19/64 | 5/0 |
| Mike Fox | M | 9/24/61 | 17/0 |
| Chance Fry | M | 6/29/64 | 4/0 |
| Jim Gabarra | M | 10/22/59 | 14/0 |
| Brent Goulet | F | 6/19/64 | 8/0 |
| Jean Harbor | F | 9/19/65 | 15/0 |
| Jeff Hooker | D | 11/1 | |
| Bernie James | D | 11/25/58 | 2/0 |
| Tom Kain | M | 7/01/63 | 4/0 |
| Ty Keough | D | 12/19/56 | 9/0 |
| John Kerr, Jr. | F | 3/06/65 | 16/2 |
| Hayden Knight | F | 3/17/57 | 3/0 |
| Cle Kooiman | D | 7/04/63 | 12/1 |
| Paul Krumpe | M | 3/04/63 | 25/0 |
| Jacques Ladouceur | M | 4/29/59 | 9/0 |
| Doc Lawson | D | 2/01/58 | 3/0 |
| Neil Megson | D | 7/27/62 | 2/0 |
| Janusz Michallik | M | 4/22/66 | 44/1 |
| Bruce Murray | F | 1/25/66 | 86/21 |
| George Pastor | F | 7/0 | |
| Hugo Perez | M | 11/08/63 | 73/13 |
| Bruce Savage | D | 12/21/60 | 16/0 |
| Troy Snyder | D | 11/24/65 | 5/0 |
| John Stollmeyer | D | 10/25/62 | 31/0 |
| Chris Sullivan | F | 4/18/65 | 18/2 |
| Gregg Thompson | D | 8/04/60 | 12/0 |
| Perry van der Beck | F | 11/6/59 | 24/2 |
| David Vanole | GK | 2/06/63 | 14/0 |
| Martin Vasquez | D | 12/24/63 | 7/0 |
| Roy Wegerle | F | 3/19/64 | 41/7 |