With only one official FIFA date left before final World Cup rosters must be submitted on May 15, US boss Bruce Arena knows the three days of training that precede their Wednesday friendly with Poland become all the more important.
The coach spoke to members of the press after Monday's training session and discussed the difficulties of this issue, as well what the next 101 days will hold.
"The oddity of international soccer and FIFA is that we only have, before the World Cup, one qualifying date," Arena explained. "You have to take advantage of it and still you see club schedules that are pretty condensed. It's difficult."
"With the calendar right now, you shouldn't have any (FIFA) dates. Until there is an agreement with FIFA and UEFA, particularly - because UEFA really drives that, I believe - it'll be tough."
"Having said that, these players are property of clubs and not national associations."
The US manager, however, was more interested in seeing how the European-based players would fit in with a domestic squad that has spent much of 2006 in training camp.
"It's about getting a game and getting this group back together again and being a little familiar with each other," he said.
"But having said that, it is so important that we see the entire group together at least one time before we name our roster."
Although he wouldn't predict a World Cup success, the straight shooting coach would not be deterred by the challenge of being in tough group.
"I think it is a very good group," rated Arena. "I think, like the last time around, that everyone has already written us off."
"We're just going to go about our business and not worry about the reputations of the other countries. We need to step on the field on game day and show that we can play and get results."
With the team scheduled take part in a meet-and-greet pep rally at nearby Ramstein Airforce Base and a German Police helicopter circling overhead as escort, Arena and his charges were eager to make their way to the team bus.
Nonetheless, a last-second Freddy Adu question concerning the young phenom's chances to make the final squad of 23 managed to get thrown into the mix.
"Freddy is a very good player. It's not likely, but you never know," Arena was quick to answer. "Freddy is an exceptional player and he has a bright future." |
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