STEVE SAMPSON
On the Yugoslavia game: “Dealing with Germany is different than Yugoslavia. A lot will depend on what they need to get to the second round. I would hate to see a situation where Yugoslavia would have to get three points [when they play us].”
On Dooley on being captain: “Thomas is very good about working with players individually. He’s a good captain, from the standpoint that he builds players. They can learn >from him. I think that he’s a wonderful captain and leader, especially for the younger guys.”
On security/politics involving the Iran game: “We recognize there is a lot of effort [involving security] behind the scenes to make sure we are safe. As far as the politics of the situation, we could care less. We want to be known as a soccer nation. We are playing for three points and so are they, but the politics are greater on their side.”
On the U.S. team: “This is a team that always responds to great pressure and I expect them to respond very well to this pressure.”
On Wynalda: “There is no question in my mind that he will be 100-percent ready to play on June 15.”
On pregame motivational speech: “There is nothing that I can say to them [the players] that will make them more ready … what can you say, it’s the World Cup.”
On Claudio Reyna: “I think a good World Cup [performance] would convince a lot of people what high qualities he has. He’s explosive, confident. If he plays very well I believe that a lot of people will come away from this World Cup thinking he is one of the best players in the world.”
On Mike Burns: “A year ago people were doubting Mike Burns. They were writing him off. Mike Burns has been there in every single big game. I think he’s out to prove a lot of people wrong … to prove to everyone that he can play at this level and play well. I will find a way to see that Mike has significant playing time in this World Cup.”
On the team’s living arrangements: “I’m very sensitive to what they went through in 1990 and that was taken into account. From a coach’s standpoint, we need to be focused and prepared for Germany. I don’t want them in a large city. I don’t think a little boredom is bad. It’s important for the players to be focused. They have been able to watch movies togther, play billiards together … to interact as a team and I think that’s very important.”
THOMAS DOOLEY
On Germany’s expectations: “Their focus [on the U.S.] changed a little bit after the Austria game. They were surprised [by our play] and we can surprise them next week.”
On his nationality: “I consider myself more of an American who is also German, but the more and more I live and play in America, I think I am more American. My oldest son is 17-years-old and he should be more German, but he acts and dresses very much like an American. And my little son said that now he only wants to go back to Germany for vacation.”
On the role of a captain in the World Cup: “If I have a captain’s band on my arm or not, I’m trying to do everything I can to lead the team. I want to win.”
On the Iran game: “We should definitely beat them, but we have to concentrate 100 percent to get the result we want. But we are athletes and are playing soccer against athletes [Iranians]. I’m looking forward to meeting these people and trading shirts with them. We have to live peacefully with these people. We love the Iranian soccer people, but we will fight them.”
On the field. “There are no political points [to be won]. We live only one time and if we can do something where the two nations can come together peacefully, that’s good.” On his German friends and their wishes for him: “People that I know wish me good luck and that we beat them [Germany]. But they want both of us to advance to the second round.” On the Germany game: “Everybody thinks that Germany is the second best team in the world and that they can beat anybody. But if you don’t have one hundred-percent concentration you are certainly not the second best in the world. They will need 100-percent concentration [next week versus U.S.]. If you want to beat Germany [in the World Cup], you have to get them in one of their first or second games and from this point, it couldn’t be better for us. “We beat the best team in the world [Brazil] a few months ago and now it is time to beat the second the best team [Germany] in the world. Most people in Germany think that Americans are not that good at soccer, but now we can show them. But the reason I want to beat Germany is because [if we do] we will be in the second round if we then beat Iran. And I’m sure that we’ll beat Iran if we have to. I don’t think that Germany is any better than they were four years ago, but we are. Although they are still a better team on paper than we are. Germany has so much discipline from beginning to end and they do not loose that concentration.” On his emotions when hearing the German national anthem on June 15: “I won’t feel emotional. I never had something to do for that country, like in their Army or with the national team. But now, over the last six years in America, playing for my country, [hearing the U.S. national anthem] gives me more feeling. I play for the U.S. and will fight for the U.S.” TAB RAMOS
On Brazilian team: “They are different than in 1998 than they were in 1994. The ’94 team was on a mission and I’m not sure what going on with this team. They don’t have what they had in ’94. Romario is the best player in the world and it’s a big loss that he is not with them right now.” On the team’s current atmosphere: “As for this place … couldn’t be at a better place. But they are a little disappointed at this point because we don’t feel like we’re at the World Cup, it’s too isolated. We don’t even see any banners that say we’re at the World Cup. This team has 22 good players for the first time, where as in the past we struggled to fill in the final six or seven spots with good players. Now that we’ve gotten here the team is real relaxed. The pressure was to make the World Cup team.” CLAUDIO REYNA
On German game: “We haven’t learn much about Yugoslavia and Iran and they may have more secrets than Germany. Germany has always been on TV. It will be a difficult game, but it will be a good game. We should play them well.” On the age of some of the German players: “I definitely think that Germany has one of the most experienced teams with some of the oldest players. Throughout the season these players have earned their positions and we have a lot of respect for that. But maybe their legs aren’t as fresh as when they were 27 and 28-years-old.” On growing up in a soccer home: “Growing up with soccer was normal. I don’t think I’ve ever watched more than one complete inning of baseball. It was just normal to watch soccer. We watched it on the Spanish channel and we had a lot of tapes with some great games and players.” ALEXI LALAS
On the Germany game: “We are as prepared as any other game. We have played the tapes and read the scouting reports.” On certain highly talented German players: “If you concentrate on one person you’ll get beat by another. We are concentrating on all of the players.” On the U.S. team: “In 1994, we were much more defensive. But we have progressed and it’s a logical progression to risk and attack more.” On himself: “I feel that I’m a much better player than I was four years ago, both mentally and physically.”
