U.S. national team Steve Sampson has called up three new players ù defenders Robin Fraser (Los Angeles) and Mark Santel (Dallas) and midfielder Mark Chung (Kansas City) ù for the World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica Sept. 7 in Portland, Ore. Also recalled for the first time during the Hexagonal were Preki Radosavljevic, who has not played for the U.S. in World Cup qualifying since scoring in a 2-2 tie with Guatemala last December, and Tab Ramos, who has missed the last eight qualifiers due to a knee injury suffered in the 1-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago last November. Several players could see action against Costa Rica. Captain John Harkes is suspended, opening up a spot in midfield. On defense, Jeff Agoos has been injured, while Alexi Lalas is again struggling at New England, which has lost eight games in a row. Up front, Eric Wynalda is a question mark. He’s been on the MLS injured reserve list due to a continuing groin injury, but he would like to play against the ‘Ticos. Meanwhile, Spaniard Juan Luis Hernandez, Costa Rica’s new head coach, has issued a public apology following remarks he made recently. In remarks critical of leaks about his team’s tactics, Hernandez had said, “If they publish that I am going to the White House with a missile to kill President Bill Clinton, then chances are that somebody would be expecting me.” U.S. Soccer executive director Hank Steinbrecher asked for ù and received ù an apology.