Alecko Eskandarian On US roster For Wales Friendly

U.S. Men’s National Team manager Bruce Arena announced a 17-man squad for the first-ever meeting against Wales on Monday, May 26 at Spartan Stadium in San Jose.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and the Radio Unica network, as well as same-day delay on Telemundo (11:30 p.m. ET/PT).  Fans can also follow live online via ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker, presented by Philips Electronics.
 
”The Wales match gives us an opportunity to see several of our European-based players for the first time this year,” said Arena.  “The game provides a chance for our team to begin to build momentum as we prepare for the upcoming tournaments this summer.”

Four players return from Europe after completing their league seasons, led by former San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Eddie Lewis.  Lewis, whose perfectly placed cross to Landon Donovan helped secure the 2-0 win against Mexico in the Round of 16 clash in the 2002 World Cup, enjoyed his finest season as a professional in 2002 after making three appearances for the U.S. in Korea.  FC Bastia defender Greg Vanney rejoins the U.S. camp after suffering a knee injury against Jamaica on May 16, 2002 that forced him from the World Cup roster just prior to the team’s departure. 

The roster for the Wales encounter has a distinctly local flavor, with five players coming from the host San Jose Earthquakes.  Jeff Agoos, third on the USA’s all-time capwinners list with 133 appearances, makes his first appearance with the U.S. since the historic quarterfinal run in the 2002 World Cup. Donovan has already collected one goal and two assists in five games this year, including Chevrolet Man of the Match honors in the 4-0 win against Canada on Jan. 18.  He is joined by ‘Quakes strike partner Brian Ching, who will be searching for his debut cap with the senior national team.  San Jose also welcomes back the 2002 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Joe Cannon, who left in January of this year to ply his trade with RC Lens in the French First Division.

D.C. United sends a six-man contingent to San Jose, led by three-time World Cup veteran Earnie Stewart. Bobby Convey, who at 19 years old has already represented the United States at World Championships as a member of the Under-20 and Under-17 men’s national teams, is one of two players to be called in for all six of the USA’s matches in 2003.  Making his debut in a senior national team camp is the number one pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft, Alecko Eskandarian. 

The Wales match also marks the return of midfielder Claudio Reyna to a USA camp.  Sidelined since Oct. 26, 2002, after suffering a torn ACL, Reyna continues his rehabilitation process and is not expected to see action.

The U.S. vs. Wales contest will mark just the third-ever match for the U.S. men in San Jose, where the team will be looking for their first goal at the 26,525 seat Spartan Stadium.  In their two previous matches, the U.S. played to two 0-0 draws, one against F.Y.R. Macedonia just prior to the 1998 World Cup, and one against Australia on Nov. 16, 1998, in Arena’s head coaching debut with the MNT.

Advance tickets are still available in the $25-$70 range and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets (including Tower Records and Rite Aid), by phone (San Jose 408-998-8497; San Francisco 415-421-8497; Oakland 510-625-8497), and on-line at ussoccer.com. 

After the most successful year in U.S. Soccer history in 2002, the U.S. MNT has opened 2003 with a 3-1-2 record, with three of those results being shutouts. In June the U.S. will face Turkey (June 19), 2002 World Cup champion Brazil (June 21) and Cameroon (June 23) in the FIFA Confederations Cup in France.  The USA will defend its regional championship in the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup to be held from July 12-23 in Boston, Miami and Mexico City.

Team Roster:

Goalkeepers (2): Joe Cannon (RC Lens), Nick Rimando (D.C. United)

Defenders (4): Jeff Agoos (San Jose Earthquakes), C.J. Brown (Chicago Fire), Mike Petke  (D.C. United), Greg Vanney (FC Bastia)

Midfielders (7): Bobby Convey (D.C. United), Ramiro Corrales (San Jose Earthquakes), Eddie Lewis (Preston North End), Richard Mulrooney (San Jose Earthquakes), Ben Olsen (D.C. United), Claudio Reyna (Sunderland), Earnie Stewart (D.C. United)

Forwards (4): Brian Ching (San Jose Earthquakes), Landon Donovan (San Jose Earthquakes), Alecko Eskandarian (D.C. United) Jovan Kirovski (Birmingham City)