The following is a transcript of Steve Sampson’s teleconference with the media May 5 to announce his World Cup squad: General comments on the team: “It is indeed an honor and a privilege to provide you the following 20 names and eight alternates that will represent the U.S. at the World Cup this summer in France. The 20 Definites Goalkeepers — Brad Friedel (Liverpool, England), Kasey Keller (Leicester City, England), Juergen Sommer (Columbus Crew). Defenders — Jeff Agoos (D.C. United), Marcelo Balboa (Colorado Rapids), Mike Burns (New England Revolution), Thomas Dooley (Columbus Crew), Alexi Lalas (MetroStars), Eddie Pope (D.C. United). Midfielders — Chad Deering (Wolfsburg, Germany), Frankie Hejduk (Tampa Bay Mutiny), Cobi Jones (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian Maisonneuve (Columbus Crew), Joe-Max Moore (New England Revolution), Claudio Reyna (Wolfsburg, Germany), Ernie Stewart (NAC Breda, Netherlands). Forwards — Brian McBride (Columbus Crew), Preki Radosavljevic (Kansas City Wizards), Roy Wegerle (Tampa Bay Mutiny), Eric Wynalda (San Jose Clash). Eight Alternates Goalkeeper — Mark Dodd (Dallas Burn). Defenders — Gregg Berhalter (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands), John O’Brien (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands). Midfielders — Chris Henderson (Colorado Rapids), Tony Sanneh (D.C. United), Mike Sorber (MetroStars). Forwards — Roy Lassiter (D.C. United), David Wagner (Guetersloh, Germany). There are two further players yet to be named Tab Ramos and David Regis whom I am also strongly considering … I have included Tab based on his performance over the past two games he’s played for the MetroStars … Regis plays for Karlsruhe in the Bundesliga and we hope that by May 11 his citizenship will be confirmed. However, I will withhold naming him to the squad until after observing him under playing condition … Carlos Llamosa is another player being considered, but his status is also being held up due to his citizenship status … I want to congratulate the players named and to say that I look forward to working with them again starting on May 11.” On the toughest decisions: “I think from early January until today the decisions about Frankie Hejduk, Roy Lassiter, Chris Henderson, David Wagner, and Brian Maisonneuve were probably the most difficult decisions to make. Particularly, the decision between Brian McBride and Roy Lassiter was difficult. What it came down to was the scoring output of Brian McBride at the end of qualifying phase and the start of the MLS season. I am very pleased with Brian’s performance against Austria, and that sealed it for me.” On MLS’s contributions to the team: “As the league has improved it has allowed certain players, particularly the younger ones an opportunity to train and play in a professional environment. It would have been impossible to make the World Cup team if they were not playing in a professional league.” On his biggest concerns within the squad: “It depends on who we start. We have a good mix of veterans and younger players who provide us with hope for the future … It is important that we have a nucleus of players that carry us in the future. Probably our strongest position is in the midfield.” On difference between the 1994 and 1998 U.S. World Cup teams: “I think we’re even more mature and more experienced than the ’94 squad. There are a number of players who played in Copa America. Now we have players not only in the Bundesliga but also the Premiership … This team is very tightly knit. Even more so than the ’94 team. This team understands its identity.” On what it means to be an alternate: “I have invited Greg Berhalter and John O’Brien into camp (on May 11) who have concluded their seasons in Holland. As for the rest of the players, it’s more important that they stay with their club teams … If a player gets injured, I am prepared to bring in one of the alternates who knows he must stay in form.” Asked who besides Maisonneuve and Deering can play the defensive midfield position: “I’ve stated many times that Thomas Dooley can play in that position … David Regis, if he gets his citizenship, can also play in that position. In a pinch, Mike Burns could play there as well.” General comments on David Regis’ possible addition to the U.S. national team: “The wonderful thing about David Regis is that he is a natural left-sided player. He has played as a left- sided defender, as a left-sided midfielder, as a marking back, as a sweeper, as a libero and as a defensive midfielder. He comes forward with fluidity and he scores goals in the flow of the game and from deadball situations. He is a very talented player who adds speed in the back.” “I started noticing him in the Bundesliga about 6 to 7 months ago, following his progress and have had some other people take a look at him back in October and November. I followed that up by having my own personal staff follow his progress with Karlsruhe. Personally, I’ve watched at least 10 matches on video and seen three more in person. At first I was a little skeptical as to whether he could become a citizen in time, but as that process has moved along, I started focusing more on his play as the World Cup closed in. I have to say I am very impressed with his play.” “One of the agents of some our players identified him to me, and based on that information I followed up.” On the his self-imposed deadlines for citizenship for both David Regis and Carlos Llamosa: “Unfortunately for Carlos Llamosa as time goes on it makes it very difficult. Even though he is playing for arguably the best team in MLS, without any international experience I think it would be asking an awful lot of a player to make his international debut in the World Cup. For Carlos, the likelihood of him being named is becoming more and more bleak. David Regis on the other hand, with extensive experience in the Bundesliga, would adapt better with less time. However, if I can’t see him play a match before we leave for France, it becomes almost impossible to include him on the team.” On Thomas Rongen, a possible addition to his coaching staff as second assistant: “Aside from the fact that he won Coach of the Year in MLS in Tampa Bay and followed that up by succeeding in a difficult situation in New England, I rate him as a very intelligent coach who has great relationships with his players. He is a student of the game and in particular is a student of the international game. That back ground and knowledge can only be beneficial to the U.S. National team.” On where the team’s goals will come from: “I feel confident we can score goals. Eric Wynalda is a proven goal scorer, Preki has proven that he can score goals at the highest level, and Brian McBride continues to score at every level. The goal scoring isn’t going to come just from up front, though, Ernie Stewart, Joe-Max Moore and Claudio Reyna can score for us. I think on deadballs we will have one of the best teams in the World Cup. We will be very dangerous on set pieces.” On his starting goalkeeper and other possible starters: “Things can change, and you don’t want to back yourself into a corner where you are not capable of making a change. Our goalkeeping situation is so competitive, and I’m not saying we would make a change if Kasey had one bad game, but knowing we have an outstanding goalkeeper right behind him makes that decision easier. Right now Kasey is our number one. As for the rest of the players, I know who my top 14-15 players are and their should be little deviation from that once we start playing.” On Tab Ramos: “Tab not only wants to prove that he’s 100 percent, but he wants to also prove that he’s a starter. I think things look very good for Tab right now.” On the Tab and Claudio’s compatibility: “We had a chance to take a look at them together Jamaica. I do have concerns that they would get into each other’s space somewhat. The beauty of the new system is that we have two holding defensive midfielders, giving freedom to these two attacking players to get forward and create scoring opportunities.” On Chad Deering: “Chad’s outstanding play against Paraguay is what gave him the opportunity to be part of this team. I told him after the Austria match that I included him to the World Cup squad.” On Jovan Kirovski: “I did bring him in for the Holland match (in February) … He will continue to grow, but I felt it was more important to give a guy like Frankie Hejduk a chance to play in this World Cup … To be honest, his performance with the U.S. was inconsistent at times. Unfortunately, his greatest strength is as an attacking midfielder and at the moment we have several players who can fill that role for us.” On Joe-Max Moore: “I think Joe-Max’s return has already helped him tremendously. He makes a big difference for the Revolution and he is a significant role player for the U.S. National team. He is a very competitive player and has a tireless workrate. His versatility makes him a great asset to have on the U.S. National team.” “Joe-Max could easily fit into my first 11; he has international experience at the highest level and I wouldn’t hesitate to start him at any time.” On Eric Wynalda: “He’s rehabilitating in Southern California under Dr. Bert Mandelbaum. I have been informed that his rehabilitation is on schedule. We expect it is very likely he will see action against (FYR) Macedonia, but if not certainly against Kuwait (in Portland). There is no concern as to whether he will play in France.” “He couldn’t play right now and the last thing we want him to do is come back too early. We’ve learned in the past that too often we’ve had players try to come back to soon and they’ve had to stay out longer than was really necessary. I think he is right on track for the Kuwait match.” On John Harkes: “We met here in L.A. yesterday and I informed him it was unlikely he will be named to the World Cup roster … To his credit, he is doing all the right things and is very professional. Again, I must be honest that in that I feel it is very unlikely he will make the final team … The most important thing is to take the best team that will represent the U.S. in the world cup.” On the team’s general strides over the last six months: “It all started at our Big Bear training camp prior to our qualifier in Mexico. The push their was to emphasize with every single person to set aside individual goals and concerns, and to play together. The second part of that was to get the players to understand that we are not a team of individual stars. None of our players can carry the team through a World Cup single-handedly. It is very important that we take on the attitude of a blue collar team, working hard in attack and hard in defense. It is very important that we take on the attitude of a blue collar team, working hard in attack and hard in defense. “The third part came in January, stressing the need for players to respect and trust each other both on and off the field. It is very important to me that the entire country and the entire world see a team that works their tail off, and that demands more than effort, it requires a single-mindedness and togetherness that will lead this team to succeed.” On the selection based on team chemistry: “You can’t spend 60-plus days together without developing good chemistry. It was extremely important in my decisions.” On his World Cup expectations for the team: “It is hard to say. I think we have enough talent to get results. It will demand an extraordinary effort on the part of all the players. I believe in our heart that can do something special. By special that means possibly getting a point against Germany and entering the Yugoslavia match with four points. From there anything can happen. I wouldn’t put it beyond this team to get into the quarterfinals. I remain a firm believer that we can do something exceptional in this World Cup.” On some of his young talent: “The recent play of some of our younger players has forced me to take a real good luck at who our starting 11 should be, in particular Frankie Hejduk and Brian Maisonneuve. They have performed very well. Brian is very comfortable on the ball and defends very well, and Frankie has showed his tireless work rate. Yes, Frankie could become a better tactical player and a better defender, but he has improved dramatically in that area in just the last few months.” “None of the 22 players will return to their MLS clubs after May 11.” On Alexi Lalas’ potential to start in France: “If you really analyze Alexi Lalas’ play over the years, he has always played his best in big games. I think with the National team he needs to play one role and one role only, and to excel in that role. If we play with two marking backs, he could fit well into that scheme. We’ll have to see how our training proceeds.” On his possible starting 11: “I have to start formulating the starting 11 and giving them on opportunity to play together. At the same time I cannot survive group play with just 11 players, so we also have to get other players some experience who can contribute in France. I have to weigh the benefits of players playing together and also gaining experience, against providing that information to our opponents. I don’t think you will see a lot of changes in our three preparation games heading up to France.”