U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena has removed Colorado Rapids defender Pablo Mastroeni and Kansas City Wizards players Tony Meola, Josh Wolff and Kerry Zavagnin from the training camp roster for the first leg of the 2006 World Cup qualifying series against Grenada on June 13 at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.(TV: ESPN2, live, 1 pm ET).
MetroStars goalkeeper Jonny Walker will replace Meola on the U.S. roster, and no other players will be added. Nineteen players will report June 7 to Columbus; 18 players will be named to the game day roster.
The decision came after MLS's Rapids exercised their right not to release Mastroeni until four days prior to the match. FIFA rules regarding player releases for international competition stipulate that a club is only required to release a player four days prior to a date that is scheduled for an official match as designated on the FIFA Coordinated Calendar, if that player is traveling within the same continent. Arena then decided to remove players from both teams from the training camp. The Rapids are scheduled to host the Wizards June 9.
None of the four players was expected to start.
UPDATED U.S. ROSTER:
Goalkeepers: Kasey Keller (Tottenham/ENG), Jonny Walker (MetroStars).
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham/ENG), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover/GER), Bobby Convey (D.C. United), Cory Gibbs (Dallas Burn), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Eddie Pope (MetroStars), Tony Sanneh (Nuremberg/GER), Greg Vanney (Bastia/FRA).
Midfielders: Chris Armas (Chicago Fire), DaMarcus Beasley (Chicago Fire), Landon Donovan (San Jose Earthquakes), Eddie Lewis (Preston North End/ENG), Claudio Reyna (Manchester City/ENG), Earnie Stewart (D.C. United).
Forwards: Conor Casey (Mainz/GER), Jovan Kirovski (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian McBride (Fulham/ENG).