U.S. head coach Steve Sampson
General comments following a 4-0 victory over FC Gueugnon: “I was very pleased with the play of Frankie Hejduk. He did very well for 45 minutes today. He’s not ready for a full 90 minutes. Specifically, I was pleased the directness of his play and ability to get behind the defense. I was able to look at Tab Ramos and Joe-Max Moore. I was happy with Joe-Max’s ability to play-make in the middle. Brian McBride played 45 minutes and played as well as he did against Macedonia, and this time he finished an opportunity in the first half. It was a very successful game.”
On Eric Wynalda’s play on his birthday: “I think Eric has grown each and every day. His explosiveness is back. He could easily start on Monday (versus Germany). Now I just have the decision whether to start him or bring him off the bench.”
Asked who scored in the game: “Brian McBride, Cobi Jones, Brian Maisonneuve and Ernie Stewart. Maybe all that finishing work is starting to pay off.”
On the lineup for Monday: “I do have a lineup in mind. It just depends on the health of the players and their form in the next few days.”
On the team’s preparedness for Monday: “I think everyone would just like to put the friendly matches behind us and get on with the competitive ones. We are excited about going to Paris and even more excited about getting on with the game.”
On David Regis: “I think his versatility gives us an added dimension. Today, he had a free role as a libero. I can play him as a wide midfielder or as a marking back, or I can play him as a libero.”
Asked why the U.S. match was closed to media and public: “If I open it up to the American media, then I must also open it to the German media. Why give them that kind of opportunity to watch us play? This is the same policy that we had during World Cup qualifying.”
Asked about the forwards: “Even when Eric Wynalda wasn’t scoring he was creating scoring chances. Today he again showed that he can track back and play excellent defense. Eric is probably our best striker when facing the goal. I would have no hesitations starting Roy Wegerle also. Roy is better holding the ball. With his first touch, he is able to buy that extra second to hold the ball before making the pass. And, he’s an excellent finisher when given the chance. Brian McBride is the best forward we have in the air.”
Asked when he will make a decision about the starting lineup: “In fact, tonight I will be meeting with the coaching staff and will begin to decide who will start against Germany. Our training will become much more functional starting tomorrow. They [the players] still know that nothing is official until they hear it from me 24 hours before the game.”
On Marcelo Balboa: “He has two infected toes and has been given antibiotics for it.”
U.S. forward Eric Wynalda
On the 3-6-1 formation: “It really plays to our strengths. We struggled with a bunch of situations earlier, but this is the best way to utilize our strengths. It may be boring at times, but it’s working. I feel like Reggie Miller [of the NBA]. You have to be fast and strong. You have to be quick to get behind the defense, but then you have to have the smarts to hold onto the ball [and set up].”
On the 1990 team vs. the 1998 team: “We had no idea what we were up against in 1990. We were just trying not to lose badly. But this time we’ve proven to everyone that we can compete with the best in the world. Now it’s a matter of putting things together and shocking a lot of people.”
On German player Christian Woerns: “I know Christian very well and consider him a friend. We have had several chances to talk.”
On the German team: “You look at all their defenders and you have to respect them, but they’re not perfect. We know their weaknesses and we know their strengths. We’re going to do our best.”
On starting: “[Steve Sampson and I] have been open and honest with each other and whatever decision he makes, I’ll take it in stride. It’s not the end of the world if I don’t start. Hopefully it will be a long tournament. We obviously didn’t come here to play three games and leave.”
On today’s training match: “It went great. It was a perfect game for us. They were a good team and they kept up and played the way we wanted it. My speed is definitely back. It’s a matter of everything coming together. I haven’t felt this good in a long time. The last couple of weeks have been brilliant for me, not having the pressure to play for my club when I wasn’t 100-percent fit.”
Asked if he’s healthy enough to start against Germany: “Yes.”
Asked if he feels his time in Germany changed him as a player: “Getting back to America was a big eye opener for me. I’ve grown up a lot. Germany helped me a great deal, but my coach [Sampson] has definitely been a big part of that also.
