The U.S. U-20 national team will open play in the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship today, April 5, against England. On the eve of the match, the American squad had one training session at the Sani Abachi stadium, the site of the match in the Northern Nigerian city of Kano. “We’re confident but not overconfident,” said head coach Sigi Schmid. “If anything, we’re extremely anxious and ready to get after it. You get to a point where you say ‘that’s enough, let’s play’ and that’s where we are right now.” The USA is playing in its seventh World Youth Championship and will attempt to avenge the 0-1 opening round loss to England at the 1993 World Youth Championship in Australia. England is the only one of the USA’s three, opening-round opponents that it has faced in a previous world youth championship. After playing England in the opener, the Americans will face Japan (April 8) and Cameroon (April 11), both at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi. Japan finished as runners-up in the Asian qualifying tournament, while Cameroon, who the U.S. will face in its final group match, finished fourth in the African Youth Championship. The top two teams in each of the six opening groups, as well as the four best third-place teams, advance to the Second Round. In a show of good will on Saturday, the U-20 players passed out Nike soccer balls to approximately 60 local youngsters who had attended the USA’s training each day since arrival. Though the training pitch at Bayero University in Kano is surrounded by a fence, the 60 Nigerian youths were ushered through the gates by team officials and watched the training session up close. After training concluded the American players handed each boy a ball. “It was a great feeling to see their faces when we gave them the balls because you could tell that they didn’t have much.” said U.S. forward Jamar Beasley. “It was only a small effort on our part, but you could see that it meant a lot to them.”
U.S. Quotebook
Head Coach Sigi Schmid “We feel pretty good right now. We’re injury free, fit and healthy. Judging by Costa Rica’s performance (a 1-1 draw with host Nigeria) we’re confident that we too can compete and do well in this tournament.” “We’re preparing for a England team that will play an endeavoring brand of soccer. We want to be able to counteract what they bring and impose our play on them. It’s difficult to say how we will match up against them, because we don’t know their personnel that well. However, we have enough good players to handle anything they offer, and also give them some problems.” “We are more accustomed to the playing conditions than they are, and hopefully this will pay off for us on the field.” “One of the keys to the game will be handling the first 20 minutes of the match. In a tournament like this, it’s very important to settle into the opening game. Our forwards need to hold the ball and attack. If we cause problems for them defensively, it will give us the confidence we need to be solid throughout the match.”
Midfielder Nick Garcia “The whole city (Kano) seems to be behind this tournament. Everywhere we go there is someone making sure that things go smoothly. All we have to do is concentrate on preparing ourselves for the matches.” “The heat was pretty tough on us the first day, but it’s nothing that we weren’t expecting. Without a doubt, the time we spent training at the hottest part of the day in Florida is paying off.” “Everyone is looking forward to the (opening) match. This team isn’t exactly the same team that played for them during European qualifying, but we are confident in how we will match up against them. They will likely play a lot of balls out of the back and look for knockdowns.” “Playing in a world championship is one of the greatest feelings in the world. The excitement level is building inside everyone, and by the time the match starts, we’ll be focused and ready.”
Defender Lee Morrison “We spend a lot of down time inside the hotel, but when you step outside and the heat smacks you in the face, you realize where you are.” “I can’t wait for the first game. Whatever my role will be weather I start or come off the bench I will be ready. We all are. This is something that we’ve spent a lot of time training for, and we’re going to make the most of the opportunity.” “Anyone who is serious about playing soccer understands that playing in a world cup is something really special. We’re all very proud to be here and to represent the United States, but at the same time we’re not satisfied with just being here.” “(The opener) will be a difficult game. I expect it to be a tough, physical match, on both sides. With the professional experience that England brings, I think they will be very good technically.”
Goalkeeper Tim Howard “The hospitality here has been wonderful, the people have been wonderful.” “Mentally and physically, this team is very prepared.” “We’ve seen video on them (England), and have made generalizations on how they might play. We know enough about them, and in the end we’ll be able to handle anything they throw at us.” “Seeing some of the poverty here is a humbling feeling. It puts life into perspective and makes you appreciate what you have.”
On his MLS club, the MetroStars “This year I think we have the right blend of youth and experience. Everyone involved with the club from the fans, to the administrators to the media are ready for us to start winning. I’m looking forward to returning from a successful world championship and getting back into the daily routine with the club.”
Defender Steve Cherundolo “We’re upbeat and enthusiastic right now. [We are] very excited to start playing and are confident in our ability to move along in the tournament.” “For the most part I think everyone is relaxed. Of course there is some pressure we feel to do well, but I think a little pressure is good because it will help our concentration. Mentally, this team is very good right now.” “When the game starts all the pressure is forgotten and you just play soccer. At the end of the day, it’s another soccer game.” “Putting on the American jersey is a special feeling. It’s even better when your name is on the back, because you know it’s yours. There’s a lot of pride involved.”
Forward Jamar Beasley “If we play our game and concentrate on not making mistakes, I think we have a great chance to do well in this tournament.” “I’m playing with and against the best under-20 players in the world. I can’t wait to get on the field and play.” “Hearing the national anthem is pretty special. You feel obligated to protect your country to protect the United States. We represent everyone in America here and we’ll do our best.”
Midfielder Cory Gibbs “The spirit in the team is very good right now, and we’re looking forward to the first match on Monday.”
On spending most of the time at the team hotel “It has brought us together as a team. We are a pretty focused team and nobody wants to be distracted right now. We came here to win, not to sight see.”
