PREVIEW: UNITED STATES - MOROCCO Monday, May 22, 2006
The US begin the final path to World Cup 2006 in Germany with a midweek friendly against Morocco in Nashville.
It is the first of three matches in three cities in six days, a schedule that will ready the team for the rigors of Group E play.
Coach Bruce Arena gets the first proper run out with his selected 23-man roster, and will also dress training player Michael Bradley of Heerenveen.
The boss can call on a fully fit selection, but Eddie Lewis returned to camp Monday from playing 90 minutes in Leeds United’s promotion final loss to Jay DeMerit and Watford.
The US are coming off a loss in Germany and a disappointing draw with Jamaica in Cary, North Carolina after winning four straight winter contests.
Of the players on the World Cup side, Clint Dempsey leads all 2006 scorers with two goals.
It will, however, be the first match of the year for second all-time leading marksman Brian McBride.
Morocco are set to hand a debut to Jupiler League phenom Mbark Boussoufa, who fell through the ranks of Ajax and Chelsea.
AZ Alkmaar winger Tarik Sektioui will also take to the Tennessee stage, but Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh and Tottenham veteran Noureddine Naybet will not be in uniform.
The Americans have lost both meetings with Morocco, with both coming in the North African nation.
The US fell 2-1 in Marrakech in 1999 and dropped a 3-1 decision in Casablanca back in 1992.
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