MLS Major League Soccer

12 MLS Players Named to U.S. World Cup Team

Published on April 22, 2002 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


NEW YORK (Monday, April 22, 2002) - Major League Soccer's Strike Force of Clint Mathis, Brian McBride, Landon Donovan, Josh Wolff and DaMarcus Beasley lead a contingent of 12 MLS players on the 2002 United States World Cup team, U.S. National Team Head Coach Bruce Arena announced today. MLS players have scored 16 of the last 19 goals scored for the U.S. National Team, which has posted a 7-3-1 mark in 2002, including a 7-0-1 record on American soil. Fifteen of those 16 goals have been scored by the Strike Force, with D.C. United defender Eddie Pope joining the goal party last week at Ireland.

Arena, who won three MLS Cup titles during his four seasons at the D.C. United helm before accepting the U.S. National Team position in late 1999, named a total of 17 players with MLS experience to his 23-man roster for World Cup Korea/Japan 2002, as five of the European-based players have spent at least one season in MLS. Arena also named 10 alternates to the roster, an official version of which will not be submitted until the FIFA deadline of May 21, 10 days before the event opens with France v. Senegal in Seoul on May 31. Eight of the 10 alternates currently play Major League Soccer.

"We're delighted that Bruce has selected 12 of our players to represent the United States in Korea/Japan," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. "Each of these players has contributed heavily to the growth of the League and the sport in this country and deserves the opportunity to showcase his skills on the world stage. We wish Coach Arena and the U.S. squad the best of luck at Korea/Japan 2002, and are confident that great things will happen for the team this summer. I congratulate each of the 23 U.S. players for their selection to this honor."

The 23-player roster selected to the 2002 U.S. World Cup team follows (current MLS players in bold, former MLS players italicized):

Goalkeepers Club
Brad Friedel Blackburn (England)
Kasey Keller Tottenham (England)
Tony Meola Kansas City Wizards

Defenders Club
Jeff Agoos San Jose Earthquakes
Gregg Berhalter Crystal Palace (England)
Frankie Hejduk Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
Carlos Llamosa New England Revolution
Pablo Mastroeni Colorado Rapids
Eddie Pope D.C. United
David Regis FC Metz (France)
Tony Sanneh FC Nurnburg (Germany)

Midfielders Club
Chris Armas Chicago Fire
DaMarcus Beasley Chicago Fire
Landon Donovan San Jose Earthquakes
Cobi Jones Los Angeles Galaxy
Eddie Lewis Fulham (England)
John O'Brien Ajax (Holland)
Claudio Reyna Sunderland (England)
Earnie Stewart NAC Breda (Holland)

Forwards Club
Clint Mathis MetroStars
Brian McBride Columbus Crew
Joe-Max Moore Everton (England)
Josh Wolff Chicago Fire

"After those 23, probably of the next 20 players, 17 are MLS players," said Arena, who has qualified the U.S. for its fourth consecutive World Cup. "Major League Soccer has added a lot of value to our team and our player pool."

The Chicago Fire contributed three players to the team, as M Chris Armas, M DaMarcus Beasley and F Josh Wolff prepare to go to Korea/Japan. In total, nine of the 10 MLS teams are represented on the U.S. squad, with the San Jose Earthquakes (two players) joining the Fire as teams with multiple selections. The Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, MetroStars and New England Revolution each contribute one player, while the Dallas Burn are the only MLS team not to be affected by Arena's selection.

Check out the Major League Soccer Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from April 22, 2002


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central