USA-Argentina
Saturday, Feb. 8
noon ET/9 am PT.
Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla.
TV: Telemundo (live), ESPN2 (live) 11:55 am ET.
Radio: Radio Unica (live).
The USA and Argentina take the field tomorrow with squads comprised of domestic players only. For the Americans, the encounter marks their second friendly of 2003, having beaten Canada, 4-0, Jan. 18.
For Argentina, the clash marks the third game of a tour that kicked off with a 3-1 win at Honduras and a 1-0 win over Mexico in front of 80,000 fans at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: The USA is aiming for its third straight win over Argentina. After four losses, dating back to 1928, in which the USA was outscored 24-3, the USA won 3-1 at the 1995 Copa America (under Coach Steve Sampson) and 1-0 in a 1999 friendly in Washington, D.C. (under Coach Bruce Arena).
INJURIES: Eddie Pope, who has returned to full training sessions and played 45 minutes in a scrimmage against the U.S. U-17s, is coming off three months of rehabilitation following knee surgery. … DaMarcus Beasley suffered a contusion in his right shin, but should be able to play tomorrow… Chad McCarty suffered a sprained ankle and returned to Columbus for treatment. … Sasha Victorine has recovered from a right quad contusion.
BRUCE ARENA ON ARGENTINA: ''I saw them play Honduras, but haven't watched the Mexico tape yet. They played Honduras in Honduras on a field that wasn't ideal and in the rain and I thought their control of the game was outstanding. They played like a typical Argentina team, same system and they have excellent players at every position on the field. They're a team that will be very fun to play against because they have such great players.''
USA: Roster
Goalkeepers: Kevin Hartman (Los Angeles Galaxy), Tim Howard (MetroStars), Nick Rimando (D.C. United).
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Chicago Fire), Danny Califf (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian Dunseth (Columbus Crew),Nick Garcia (Kansas City Wizards), Eddie Pope (D.C. United), Ryan Suarez (Dallas Burn), Sasha Victorine (Los Angeles Galaxy).
Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Chicago Fire), Bobby Convey (D.C. United), Chris Klein (Kansas City Wizards), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Richard Mulrooney (San Jose Earthquakes), Ben Olsen (D.C. United), Steve Ralston (New England Revolution), Pete Vagenas (Los Angeles Galaxy).
Forwards: Jeff Cunningham (Columbus Crew), Landon Donovan (San Jose Earthquakes), Clint Mathis (MetroStars), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution).
ARGENTINA: Roster
Goalkeepers: Sebastian Saja (San Lorenzo), Wilfredo Caballero (Boca Juniors).
Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Boca Juniors), Clemente Rodriguez (Boca Juniors), Gonzalo Rodriguez (San Lorenzo), Ariel Garce (River Plate), Gabriel Milito (Independiente).
Midfielders: Sebastian Battaglia (Boca Juniors), Leandro Romagnoli (San Lorenzo), Andres D'Alessandro (River Plate), Luis Gonzalez (River Plate), Leandro Ponzio (Newell's Old Boys), Mariano Gonzßlez (Racing Club), Lucas Pusineri (Independiente), Pablo Guinazu (Independiente), Federico Insua (Independiente), Javier Mascherano (River Plate).
Forwards: Cesar Carignano (Club Colon), Diego Milito (Racing Club), Emanuel Rivas (CA Independiente).