As Reading's American duo of Bobby Convey and Marcus Hahnemann left the field after their team's 1-1 draw with Wolves this past Saturday, they talked with YA about their chances of improving their status in the USMNT selection during this week's friendly international match with Germany in Dortmund this week.

Philadelphia native Convey, who earned Man of the Match honors, was looking forward to the midweek tilt against Germany in Dortmund.

"Although it's just another game, it will be good to get back in the squad, get acquainted with everyone again, and hear some American voices," said the midfield ace.

United States boss Bruce Arena has already made his plans clear concerning the midfielder's role Wednesday night.

"I'm going to start, and we will see how it goes from there. I'm not done helping the (Reading) be promoted, so I want to be ready for the (away match with Leicester City) on Saturday."

When asked if Reading manager Steve Coppell would be so eager to send both of them if Reading were tied with Sheffield United for the lead in the English Championship, the former DC United star didn't hesitate: "No, and I wouldn't have played two weeks ago either."

Though he only came on for 20 minutes at the end of the match, Convey was impressive versus Poland and it seems that all of the sudden, Damarcus Beasley is no longer a sure starter on the left side of the field.

"Yeah, there's a lot competition with the national team now," the midfielder offered. "It's definitely a battle between the both of us. I've been playing with and against Bease since I was 14-15 years old, and its good for the national team overall."

The USMNT is at its highest perch ever (fifth) in the latest release of the FIFA world rankings, though Convey was quick to de-emphasize their importance.

"I think the rankings are a little bit false," he told YA. "The World Cup is the key competition that everyone looks to, consistently doing well in the World Cup is when everyone around the world looks at how good your team is."

While Convey has most likely already received one of the 23 tickets to Germany, club teammate Hahnemann, while confident he has done enough for his club to earn a spot on the national side, remains eager to make further impressions on Arena.

"Forty five minutes on Wednesday would be nice," the Seattle native said following Saturday afternoon's draw.

Though it is not likely to come into play Hahneman has certainlz done enough to earn the role of number two keeper behind fellow Pacific Northwest native Kasey Keller.

"Primarily because of the number of games I've played this year," he confirmed.

Hahnemann has started in every Reading league game this year, while Manchester United's Tim Howard, also competing for the backup goalkeeper spot, has played but 45 minutes as the Old Trafford club's number two keeper behind Holland international Edwin Van Der Saar.

The former Seattle Sounder had hoped that USMNT coach Bruce Arena would have seen him play in Royals blue (an earlier story that Arena had attended the Reading - Watford clash turned out to be false), but seemed philosophical on whether it really mattered.

"I have been in so many games, maybe he doesn't need to watch me because he knows what I can do," Hahnemann added.

Both players understand they have a unique opportunity, as they were the only England-based players released for national team duty this week.

And in what seems to be increasingly rare these days, the pair's manager seems happy for them.

"It's a wonderful compliment to them as performers, to be able to impress the national manager to get the opportunity," said Steve Coppell. "On performance, I can only recommend them highly and hope they do well this week."