U.S. coach Bruce Arena answered media questions on Monday regarding Clint MathisÆ health, injuries overall, opening game opponent Portugal (June 5), Frankie HejdukÆs role — and more.
Bruce Arena, U.S. coach
On Clint Mathis: ''He practiced briefly today. We took a precautionary MRI [on his knee] and found nothing. So he is fine. He had a little inflammation, and we just wanted to make sure he was OK. IÆm glad to say it went well, and it is not a concern.'' On Portugal: ''They are an outstanding team. They are arguably one of the best teamÆs in Europe that last three or four years. Obviously they had a great run in qualifying and a good Euro 2000. They come into this World Cup as one of the favorites and we think they are an outstanding team.'' On the teamÆs goals against Portugal: ''We will approach the game as if we can win the game. We are not just showing up because we want to be nice, friendly participants. We are going to play a game.'' On the teamÆs starting lineup: ''We are very close to deciding our lineup and for the most part our players know where they stand.'' On his thoughts on the upcoming Costa Rica-China match on June 4: ''We played China last year, and have obviously played Costa Rica a number of times over the last couple of years. I think Costa Rica has a good team. China probably doesnÆt have the experience that Costa Rica has, but since Costa Rica is from our region that is the team we will support. We are wishing them the very best.'' On whether the U.S. can draw anything from the strategies employed by Senegal to upset France on May 31: ''Two different games, two different teams. I donÆt think you can draw exactly from the French team to the Portugal team. Certainly the theme for Senegal that day was to neutralize the French midfield with numbers in the midfield, and they were able to do that. ''However, at the same time, if France converts a couple of those chances that go off the crossbar and the post, we arenÆt going to be talking about what a great job Senegal did neutralizing the French midfield. It is a game of inches sometimes, and on that day, Senegal made the most of their opportunities and the French were a little bit unlucky.'' On whether he is worried about his lineup with some of the injury news that has been coming out of camp: ''No, I think I will sleep pretty well tonight and tomorrow. I am confident with our group of players, whoever has to play. I think they have done very well over the last month and IÆm confident that we will have a full team on Wednesday. ''We have been so used to injuries that we have rarely played with our whole starting group over the last few years. One thing about this team is that we are always prepared to make adjustments. So in that sense we are comfortable. ''Would we like to have Chris Armas here? Yes. Not going to happen. Would the French like to have Zidane in the opening game? Yes. Not going to happen. Would the Brazilians like to have Emerson today? ''I mean, it is all part of it. It is happening to every team. It is not just the U.S. team. Obviously Portugal has lost a couple of players across the last couple of months due to injury. They will have a couple of players who will probably play at not their best. ''It is all part of the game. I think it has a lot to do with the big clubs, whose calendars are jammed now. They are playing eight, nine months a year. They rarely get a break. The Champions League final, that was what, two weeks ago? It has just been very demanding on the top football players in the world and I think that is part of the reason there are so many injuries.'' On Frankie HejdukÆs position within the defense: ''Well, Frankie is an outside back, as are a couple of others, and they have time and again played both sides of the field. Just like there are times when Cobi Jones plays on the left side of midfield. ''Frankie is a good one-on-one defender with good quickness and defends very well off the ball. He is one of our better defenders. And in terms of one-on-one duels, he does a pretty solid job.''
