By Mike Woitalla in Hamburg
A slender young policeman has been taking abuse for an hour from pedestrians impeded by the red and white caution ribbon that prevents them from crossing the Bugenhagenstrasse in the bustling center of Germany's second largest city.
The U.S. team, three days before it opens against the Czech Republic, is due back from practice, which means the road in front of their Park Hyatt hotel has been cordoned off. Every few seconds someone tries to duck under the barrier and the freckle-faced cop explains that they'll need to take a 20-yard detour.
One man in a smart suit stops for a minute to admonish the pleasantly patient policeman for not moving the obstacle over a meter. Two young women deliver mild insults before turning back. Aren't Germans known for respecting authority?
''It hasn't been that way for a long time,'' says the officer.
Finally, the bus arrives and the street reopens. It's too late for Ozguc Salem, proprietor of Daylan Grill across from the Hyatt.
''I've lost 30 percent of my business,'' he says. ''They close the street at lunch time. And I was supposed to get a boost during the World Cup.''
His daughter chimes in, ''I'm writing a letter to the mayor. They owe us money.''
The two policemen who guard the entrance to the Hyatt say they appreciate that the Americans want to stay in the center of Germany's richest city, amid its fine restaurants and fancy shops.
''But it makes our job very difficult,'' says one.
The Hamburger Morgenpost provides instructions for drivers who encounter the police escort for the ''US-Boys.''
Twice a day the deafening sirens blare through the streets,'' it reads. ''These are the rules: The escort cannot stop for security reasons. You may not pass. You must move to the right and stop.''
Despite the inconvenience, most Hamburg residents take it as a compliment that the Americans want to spend their entire stay here.
''We were pretty surprised that they didn't pick a hotel in the boonies next to a golf course,'' says ZDF TV commentator Guenter-Peter Ploog. ''And they're so laid back and have such a good attitude. They don't try to duck the press like German players.''
For the players, lodging in the heart of a large city is ideal.''This is the most traditional, most soccer crazy nation of all the World Cups I've been in and it's nice to taste the atmosphere,'' says U.S. captain Claudio Reyna, whose first three World Cups were hosted by the USA, France and Korea. ''All the players are really excited. We're lucky to be in the city where we see all the people and the excitement.''
The U.S. team is considered a high security risk because of the U.S. government's foreign policy. Its team bus is the only of the 32 that is not adorned by its flag.
''We've gotten used to the high security as a country, as a team, that where ever we go it feels normal,'' Reyna said. ''But the police here and everyone in Germany has been great.''
Still, Coach Bruce Arena allows his players to explore the town.
''Bruce knows we respond better to this kind of atmosphere than shutting us off in the woods somewhere,'' says forward Josh Wolff. ''We can walk the streets, check out the canals, the restaurants and shops.
''We don't walk around in the red, white and blue, but it seems some people can tell by the way we carry ourselves that we're Americans and they ask us if we're on the team.''
Jimmy Conrad says he and some teammates were treated to free coffee and ice cream when they visited a cafe and were recognized by the owners. The players meet with the press daily after returning from practice.
''They're a real pleasure,'' says Bild reporter Sarah Majorczyk. ''They're very open and have a real nice attitude.''
Says Dirk Steinbach of the Hamburger Abendblatt, ''They're real loose and don't seemed bothered by the pressure of a World Cup. The only thing that's a little bit difficult for us is figuring out Bruce Arena. It takes a while to get used to his sarcasm.''
Back at the Daylan Grill, Salem is trying to get the word out that his place is open for business.?
''One of the players came by and looked in, then moved on,'' he says. ''It'd be real nice if they came in for a meal once in a while. They won't be disappointed.''