Trip to Lyon Canceled The U.S. World Cup team had their planned excursion into the downtown area of Lyon canceled today because of a farmers’ strike in the small French city. The U.S. players had been looking forward to the trip to take some time and enjoy the nuances of the city, but because the strike clogged a number of main arteries in Lyon’s downtown, their afternoon plans had to be canceled. “I’m disappointed that they can’t go into Lyon today,” said U.S. head coach Steve Sampson. “It is very cold here, though, so even if we could have gone, no one would have wanted to be outside very long.” The team was given the chance to golf for the second time this week, but declined, said Sampson. Team trains in 48-degree weather The weather has been anything but pleasant for the U.S. during their first week in France. At today’s training session at Trevoux, the temperature was a chilly 48 degrees Fahrenheit, with damp and windy conditions. The U.S. held an open practice Thursday night in Trevoux. It was the only open practice of the week. About 200 French boys and girls came to the practice seeking autographs. They stood along the sidelines and screamed players’ names while they practiced. Team’s changing goals In 1990, the U.S. went to the World Cup more as tourists than as players, according to some members of that team. They were star- struck by the players they were competing against. “We should have brought our cameras on the field,” Tab Ramos joked recently. In 1994, the team wanted to prove that it deserved to be playing, not just because it was hosting the tournament. This year, the team is looking for some respect, particularly from Europeans. Midfielder Preki said yesterday that the German team is underrating the U.S.: “The [German players] say in the press that they respect us, but deep down, I don’t think they do. It doesn’t make you angry, it makes you want to work harder.” Helmut Kohl makes predictions German chancellor Helmut Kohl made his first round Group F predictions today for Germany, declaring that Germany will defeat Yugoslavia 2-1 and Iran 2-0, after opening with a 3-1 triumph over the U.S.A. Only time will tell… Enough of the quiet life Alexi Lalas says that the team has “hit rock bottom” as far as boredom is concerned. He said that all of the darts are broken from being used so much, but there have been no dart-related injuries as of yet. When asked if anyone in particular was bothering him, Lalas responded: “[Eric] Wynalda is driving me nuts. I may ending up smashing my guitar over his head.” Cobi’s comeback U.S. coach Steve Sampson said Cobi Jones was overweight, unfit and unfocused. Jones said he was burnt out, underweight if anything, and definitely not distracted by any of his off-field activities. That was a year ago and Sampson was displeased enough to leave Jones off the roster for a friendly game against Paraguay. Even yesterday, the two were still offering different viewpoints on Jones’ situation at the time. As for his present condition, though, they both agree that the speedy midfielder is at the top of his game. “I think he is a better player now because he has concentrated more on on-the-field activities than those off the field,” Sampson said. “He hit the weight room, is making sure he is fit and he is extremely focused.” Jones, who continues to host an MTV health and fitness program, laughed yesterday when told of Sampson’s version of events from a year ago. “My opinion is that I’ve always been focused on the game,” he said. “But by the end of the year, I needed some time away from the game. I hadn’t had any time off since (the summer of) 1993. I took off a month at the end of last year and it helped. I felt rejuvenated” When Jones left the Los Angeles Galaxy a month ago to join the U.S. team, he was Major League Soccer’s leading scorer with eight goals in eight games. He said he plans to continue his scoring streak during the World Cup. Even though he has been playing in fewer games as of late, “I don’t think I’ve lost any of my sharpness,” Jones said. “I have full confidence in my ability to take on any of [Germany’s] players.” Jones, who has always been known for his speed, as well as his dreadlocks, said he is a more complete player that he was in the past. He attributes his improved play to extra work, both on the field and in the gym. He often stays after Galaxy practice to work on his fitness and ball skills. And, he works out with weights three times a week. Jones said he would like to return to Europe to play. He was a member of Coventry City in the English Premier League for the 1994-95 season. If he does decide to leave MLS for Europe, it would be “sooner rather than later.” When in France, read Several players said all of the free time they have had since arriving in France a week ago has allowed them to catch up on their reading. Two Columbus Crew players are working their way through best-sellers: Brian Maisonneuve is finishing Into the Wild, while Juergen Sommer is getting into a longer read, A Civil Action. Jones said he has already read two books, a science-fiction fantasy and a guide to money management. “I have to get out of this place and into town so I can buy something else to read,” Jones said. Team’s tentative schedule Saturday, June 13 9 a.m. Team departs for closed training at St. Jean D’Arieres 1:45 p.m. Team departs for TGV station to Paris 5:30 p.m. Steve Sampson, Thomas Dooley, Kasey Keller available for interviews at Westin Le Parc.