[nas] Arena's Initial US Roster

Food for thought and future comparison...

Tell Me About: Arena's Initial US Roster
http://ussoccerplayers.com/news_you_can_use/530315.html

Since the first group of players to be called in to the US National Team 
under new (interim) head coach Bob Bradley will be announced later this 
month, it's a good time to take a look back to the group that Bruce Arena 
first called in to play against Australia on November 6, 1998.

Though the 22 players he brought in came solely from Major League Soccer, 
it's interesting to note that only nine of the following players ever made a 
World Cup roster for Arena over his eight-year reign as National Team coach.

Much like what Bradley is expected to do before his side takes on Denmark in 
January 20, 2007, Arena called in 19 players under the age of 30. Only Jeff 
Agoos (30), Paul Bravo (30) and Robin Fraser (31) had turned 30.

Here is a look at each of the 22 players that Arena called in to the US 
National Team for his first game, which was a 0-0 tie played at Spartan 
Stadium in San Jose, Calif., along with a synopsis of what their respective 
future what the team would hold under the longtime US head coach:

Jeff Agoos -- Played 48 times for Arena, including three games in the 2002 
World Cup.
Paul Bravo -- Saw action in two games in 1999.
C.J. Brown -- Played 15 times for the US under Arena between 1998-2003.
Mark Chung -- Only appearance under Arena came in that 0-0 tie with 
Australia in 1998.
Leo Cullen -- Appeared three times between 1999-2002.
Robin Fraser -- Played 13 times between 1999-2001.
Kevin Hartman -- Played five times for Arena from 1999-2006.
Cobi Jones -- Wore the captain's armband in Arena first game as coach, and 
was a regular with the US from 1998-2004.
David Kramer -- Never received a cap under Arena.
Roy Lassiter -- Made six appearances between 1998-2000.
Eddie Lewis -- Blossomed under Arena and played on both the 2002 and 2006 
World Cup teams for him.
Clint Mathis -- Earned all 46 of his caps under Arena from 1998-2005.
Brian McBride -- Starred in both the 2002 and 2006 World Cups for the US.
Joe Max-Moore -- Played in the 2002 World Cup.
Ben Olsen -- Played in the 2006 World Cup.
Mike Petke -- Earned both of his caps under Arena.
Eddie Pope -- Was a regular starter throughout Arena's tenure, including in 
the 2002 and 2006 World Cup.
Steve Ralston -- Earned 29 of his 33 caps under Arena.
Ante Razov -- Played 23 times for Arena from 1999-2004.
Zach Thornton -- Was in goal during Arena's first game, but only made six 
appearances after that.
Richie Williams -- Made 20 appearances for Arena from 1998-2002.
Josh Wolff -- Was a regular under Arena and a part of the 2002 and 2006 
World Cup teams.


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