Conference trucks::football;1

    	I was reading the local paper yesterday (Worcester Telegram) and they 
    had, in their oppinion, a list of favorites to win the World Cup.   
    Not in particular order:   Brazil,  Germany,  Italy,  Holland,  and
    Colombia.  They also said that "Colombia's Soccer is poetry in motion!!"
    I'm Colombian, and I like the type of football Colombia is plying right
    now, but obviously my oppinion could be biassed..  I like o see what 
    comments do some of you have about Colombia, and also if you have had 
    a chance to watch them play!!   Anybody ??
    
    			-|^
    			`-'  Vamos Colombia Carajo..!!
    
    

    I like the colombian way to play, but I'm afraid that in the end
    things like stamina, toughness and discipline will prevail again the 
    longer the tournament proceeds.
    As a german spectator I have to like this, though, otherwise our team
    would never have been as successfull as they were in those tournaments.

    
    Last time I saw Columbia was when they played France this time last
    year and won 3-1. It was the nearest I've seen to Brazil 1970 as far as
    being a joy to watch. It would be a little presumptious to say they'll
    go all the way as I think the game has got much more physical since the
    days when Pele won his last WC Gold medal.
    However I am looking forward to watching Columbia along with Brazil,
    Cameroon and Nigeria. Holland would be the only team I might expect
    from Europe to throw caution to the wind and play open football. But
    then again why DID Gullit withdraw from the squad; his awaited answer
    might well be forthcoming by the way Holland actually play !!.
    
    Dezzz.
    

    re. .1
    
    I agree with you, they might even make it to the finals (where Germany
    will beat them 3-1). Their success is dependent on Valderama's condition. 
    Do you know whether he has recovered? Another risk factor is their
    forward, in my eyes they rely a lot on this guy - can't remember his
    name for the moment - which plays for munich. I saw him once last
    season and he has a very unusual way to play football.
    
    Frank    

    Re .4    
    
    I think You're talking about 'El tren' Valencia.   You also may be right 
    about their dependency on Valderrama,  who, as a middle, organizes the 
    atack, and who has recovered fully from his injury of 2-3 months ago.
    they also have a good forward in 'Tino' Asprilla (plays for Italy's Parma)
    Does anybody have a list of Colombia's official squad ??
    
    	Vamos Colombia Carajo  -|^
    			       `-'
    	

    It is kind of funny that most Colombians here in the USA expect
    Colombia to do well (most are hoping to make the semis).  Few friend
    just came up from Colombia and they say that the country will be happy
    if Colombia will make the 1/4 finals.
    
    One thing that I love about the Colombian team this time is that they
    have 3 forwards that can score and create plays (Valencia, Asprilla and
    Valenciano).  Maturana will always put 2 out of these 3.  In midfield,
    Valderrama is the key, however when he was injured, Colombia was
    succesfull with Lionel Alvarez.  Also, Rincon is becoming one of the
    best players in South America.  He is a forward but plays midfield in
    the Colombian Team and so far he has been involved in every score in
    the past 3 games that Colombia has played.
    
    Yesterday, Colombia defeated Palmeiras from Brazil 3-0.  Rincon score 2
    and Valencia score on a penalty shot.
    
    Since I will be at the finals, I have my fingers crossed and hoping
    real hard that I can see Colombia there.
    
    Vamos Colombia!!!!!
    
    Carlos 

    
    	This thing I like most about Colombia is that one of their forwards
    also plays part of the time as goalkeeper 8-)
    
    JBG

    re. -1
    
    JBG, if you refer to Higuita , he is not playing for Colombia anymore....
     If you think of Campos he plays for Mexico....but hey.. for a lot of 
    Americans , south of El Paso lies just one big Spanish-speaking country
    anyhow ! ;-)
           
    Jacques

   I agree with Dezz.... (we must get together someday)  Iam looking forward
to seeing Brazil, Cammeroon and especially Nigeria and Columbia play....  If
Ireland doesn't win it then I hope one of the above teams do... and I hope its
not the Germans... They don't know how to celebrate anyway..... Unless breaking
windows and throwing bottles at cars is the form of celebrating?????


                                                                 -dave-

    
    Re .8
    
    	Thats the guy, Higuita. I'm always reminded of his wonderfully
    deciptive attacking skills when I watch goalkeepers like Grobellar
    (sp), Schmeicel and Brian Finch play!  8-)
    
    JBG 

    Dave,
    
    I will not comment the bulls**t from your last note....Oh, excuse me, I
    have to leave to damage a few cars....
    
    no regards,
    
    Frank

    Hey Frank,
    
    Try not to damage your own car ;-)
    
    Yours helpfully,
    
    Jerry.

    	The current goalkeeper for Colombia is Oscar Cordoba.  To the
    contrary of Higuita, Cordoba is a more conservative goalkeeper, who in
    my oppinion gives Colombia's team more confidence..  Higuita's style,
    although versatile and different, gave me almost a heart attack when
    coming out of the area the way he did...
    
    
    Vamos Colombia Carajo!!  -|^
    			     `-'   |PZ
    
    

 re .-1

 I agree, Higuita preferred the action going on in mid-field..  Watching
 him and the Colombian team in Milan in '90 vs W. Germany was incredible. 

 We'll have to wait and see how far their fancy footwork takes them this
 year...

 Carlos


 
  

    after watching the Romanians last Sunday I believe they will physically
    slow down the Columbians and wear them out--the result will be a draw
    which in effect is a win for the Romanians  and will damage the
    Columbians confidence.  I agree with the previous notes that the
    Columbians are a pretty team to watch with their one touch style
    
    
    
    regards
    rick

    Things are looking bad for the States, Colombia and Romania. 
    
    From Swiss radioo this morning :
    
    " Switzerland comprehensively outplayed their opponents in their last 
    warm-up match before the WC commences. The final score was 11-0 (yes
    Eleven) in Switzerlands favour, and by all accounts it could have been
    more."
    
    In a whisper, the newsreader then added
    
    "The game was played against the Milwaukee Kickers (?), a top
    college team. The game was played over two 30 minute periods."
    
    
    Listening to this guy you'ld think they had just beaten Germany 2-0
    away ;-)   Still, 11 goals in an hour isn't bad !
    
    Jerry.
                                          

    the milwaukee team was an amateur club team and the Swiss's top goalie
    played for them and gave up 11 goals
    
    
    
    rick 

    
    Rumania 3 Columbia 1.
    
    Best game of the tourney so far.Brilliant attacking from the Columbians,
    brilliant defending and counter-attacking from the Rumanians.
    Hagi looked the player we know he can be and Valderrama showed in
    flashes that he can be a major star in this World Cup.
    I was disappointed with the Columbians set pieces around the box
    though.Them being South American i expected something new/different
    to the norm.
    I think they'll need to get their defence sorted out if they are
    looking to do well in this tournament as i feel the Swiss could cause
    them similar problems to the Rumanians with their counter-attacking
    style.Especially if Knupp is fit to partner Chapuisat up front.

    Both great skillful teams with many superstar Hagi, Valerrama...
    
    

      Pity for such a good team to have such a goalie.
      
      Christer

    Who thinks that Hagi's goal against Colombia was a complete fluke?
    About 50% think it was a fluke. IMHO it was a great piece of skill. 
    
    On a different subject altogether now, so far it's Europe 2 - 0 S. America
    						       (Germany,
    						         Romania)

I think it was a steaming great fluke.

But a well-deserved one.

Mike

    
    When I watched the game I thought it was a fluke but having seen the
    goal on numourous occasions I've changed my mind and think he went for
    goal...Best match so far....Two excellant sides...
    
    Neil...

    Heard from the commentator on the telly when the yanks scored that
    great goal against the Swiss."A great goal even the great Peter
    Shilton would not have got it".Is that supposed to make the Swiss
    goalie feel good.
    If this is the way things are going to go it makes you almost wish 
    that the English were there then we can al be gauranteed a laugh.

                      P  W  D  L  GF  GA Pts
    Romania           1  1  0  0   3   1   3
    USA		      1  0  1  0   1   1   1
    Switzerland       1  0  1  0   1   1   1
    Colombia          1  0  0  1   1   3   0
    
    
    18th June '94
    Pontiac     USA            1-1       Switzerland
    Pasadena    Colombia       1-3       Romania
    
    22nd June '94
    Pontiac     Switzerland     v       Romania
    Pasadena    USA             v       Colombia
    
    26th June '94
    Pasadena    USA             v       Romania
    Stanford    Switzerland     v       Colombia

    The Romania V Colombia match was played in the Rose bowl (so I
    thought). Does anyone know what the attendance was and what the
    capacity of the ground is ?

Hagi's goal looked like a perfectly placed shot to me, but the commentator 
on (ABC?) kept saying it was meant to be a cross.  I don't think Hagi would 
be that far off on a cross.  It was a brilliant goal.

Clark

I think the attendance for the Colombia game was about 94,000.

Hagi's goal was a cross. He wasn't even looking at the goal when he kicked it,
and he'd have needed a laser designator to place it that well.

Mike

    RE: .26
    
    	I believe the capacity at the Rose Bowl is 100,000.
    
    Kumar

    re:29
    
    The Rose Bowl used to seat 102,500 before certain renovations ere made
    for the World Cup
    
    Now it seats 92,000 and for the Columbia game there were 91,858
    according to the paper  and since I was there I believe it
    
    Hagi's goal was not a fluke and contrary to earlier notes he meant to
    put it there---when he struck the ball he was right in front of me(I
    was in row 10)ABOUT 15 METERS AWAY  and if he was going to cross he
    would have placed a different spin on the ball--on his shot he had it
    dipping and thats why the keeper was fooled
    
    the Cameroon/Sweden game had 83,000 in attendance and from an American
    perspective as opposed to a purely technical perspective it was
    entertaining with a lot of excitement
    
    rick  

    Hagi uses to mark goals the way he has done with Columbia. Even in the
    same match he has tried a similar coup minutes before his goal.
    
    Sorin

    		    U.S.A 2  Colombia 1

    What more is there to say!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Great game - great win.  USA defence dominated. Colombia spent 
    the entire game trying to go down the middle and were met by a 
    wall of US players.  USA played it wide and long and never looked 
    like losing. One goal disallowed for offside - wrong decision - 
    wrong player flagged - have to be interfering.  Ref who otherwise 
    had an excellent game should have gone and talked to the linesman to 
    find out who it was.

    Notice how few free kicks there were in the game.  I'll bet the US 
    didn't give away 10 the entire game.

    USA still needs to get a point from the next game to be absolutely 
    safe but should move into the next round.

    This win has probably done more for soccer (football) in the USA than 
    anything else.

    Gerry

    	Seems like if the USA does no worse than tie on Sunday, and the
    Swiss lose to Columbia, the USA will actually finish 1st in
    Group A.  A most unexpected result, even by the team's own admission, 
    I would venture.  Their performance thus far should earn them some respect
    from even their toughest critics. 
    
    	Go USA!

    
    Hmmmmm....looks like 1) they are not going to finish "bottom of the
    pile", and...2) the matches are not playing to empty stadiums....
    
    Maybe Mr. Kumar would like to comment :-) :-) :-)
    
    Mike

    So much for all the predictions that the US would die in round1!  They 
    might even win group A.
    

    
    Can anyone give a synopsis of the US-Columbia game. I only saw
    the 1st goal for the US. They were lucky to win the game.
    
    Craig
    

    
    	Great wins for the USA & Switzerland. My quick calculations seem to
    suggest that both are now certain of qualifying. If either of these
    teams ends up in 3rd place (ie. by losing on Sunday), their 4 points
    will carry them through. The group is still wide open & even Colombia
    could still qualify if the beat Switzerland well and Roumania lose to the
    USA. This sets up two great matches for Sunday with everything to play
    for.
    
    JBG

    re: -1
    
    > Columbia could still qualify.
    
    I think not
    
    Switzerland 4pts
    USA		4pts
    Romania	3pts
    Columbia	0pts (maximum of 3pts, if they beat USA)
    
    AndyH
    
    miss-quoting a famous song:
    (Music was my first love, but Maths wasn't far behind)
                               

    Ok,
    
    Having seen the mosaic World Cup page, I admit that Columbia colud be a
    best 3rd place.
    
    Not bery likely, but I have to admit possible.
    
    AndyH *8^(
    

    What was the Switzerland - Rumania score?
    
    Thanks,
    Al.

    Romania (1) 1 - (1) 4 Switzerland
    
    The Swiss played really well, although Romania
    fell apart towards the end. (They had a man sent off
    after goal number 4, he'd only been on the pitch 2 minutes)
    
    Jim.	

    re .36
    
    I stayed up to watch this last night. The first goal was lucky but the
    defender had to cut the ball out as a U.S attacker was coming in behind
    him. The other goal was great and they had one disallowed which
    shouldn't have been. 
    Columbia had most of the possession but did nothing with it and when
    U.S counterattacked they looked much more likely to score.
    Well done to the U.S and I hope they go far.
    
    /phil

    Well World Cup 94 continues with surprises.....USA 2 Colombia 1. Who
    would have thought this possible? We're (USA) not of the woods yet with
    a game remaining with Romania (will Hagi show up to play?) but let us
    bask in the sunshine for the moment. 
    
    Colombia carried the play and dominated the game territorial wise but
    for some reason they stuck with trying to jam everything in from the
    center of the field. The US defense shut them down until the 90th
    minute when Colombia scored on a rebound out from Meola who made a
    great save on the initial play. Even the commentators said that Meola
    has made drastic improvements in his game and it showed last night.
    
    Group A, with the exception of Colombia, is still in the air with 
    Switzerland, Romania and the US vying to go through. Quit possible that
    all 3 will go through...this weekend's games obviously will decide.
    
    In just over 90 minutes of playing time football was legitimized in
    the US....the shot in the arm we needed to help get this sport 
    accepted here.
    
    Jerry

    .43
    
    100,000 at the Rose Bowl, America can't ignore these numbers. Congrats
    on making the 2nd round....here's hoping Ireland meet the USA in the
    final....P*}
    
    
    Ray....

    
    Is Wegerle (sp?) getting a game for the Star Spangled Banner Boys?
    
    Andy
    

He's come on as sub in both games.

He didn't do too much last night.

Al

    Re: .34,
    
    	I know you had the smileys but I'll eat my shoe anyway for saying
    that US would finish bottom. As for the empty stadiums, well I meant
    that if the US didn't go far, then the stadia would be empty. Now it
    looks as though they might end up being World Cup winners. So obviously
    the stadia will be filled to the brim.
    	However, IMHO, I thought Colombia played badly, rather than US
    playing well. If you're going to play that badly, then you don't
    deserve to go beyond the 1st round. The Colombians have all the skills
    necessary to go down the wing, beat the full backs and get a decent
    cross in. But they didn't do that. And it looked to me like they didn't
    really have a game plan. I don't think the US had one either, but they
    got the breaks and in the end deserved the result. I know I'm going to
    take some flak for saying that. But that's how I saw it. Does anyone
    here actually believe that the US planned anything or did the
    Colombians self-destruct ?
    	I don't see the Colombians escaping from the early flight home. The
    Swiss I think would be interested in winning their last match because
    finishing second would bring them to the winner of group C (i.e.
    maybe Germany), if I've got that right.
    
    Regards,
    
    Kumar

    Kumar,
    
    It was obvius to me that the U.S. had a plan. The defense played the
    Columbians well enogh to shut them off till the end! THAT WAS PLANNED!
    
    Don't you hate a bad looser!
    
    Nick

    
    1st in Group A plays 3rd in select from C/D/E
    2nd in Group A plays 2nd in Group C...
    3rd in Group A plays winner of Group C.
    
    Dezzz.
    

    Well, Colombia definetely played horrible last night.  They were
    passing horrible and Valderrama was definetely out of sync.  Second
    half, one can tell that Colombia was playing with a lot of frustration
    but I just could not understand why they kept coming doing the middle
    where at least 5 USAs players where waiting.  USA played wonderful in
    the second half and it was a well deserved win for them. 
    
    As for Colombia, they better start thinking that a game of soccer also
    consists of playing defense not just attacking.  They are going to get
    killed by the Swiz if they continue with the same tactics that they
    have used in the past two games.
    
    Oh well, Colombia still have a chance in making the second round if they
    beat the Swiz by 2 goals and Romania loses to the USA.  However, luck
    does not seem to be in Colombia's favor.
    
    Vamos Colombia, demuestre su futbol.
    
    Carlos

    Well, I'm certainly disappointed woth the Columbians. Luckily I
    remained true to the stereotypical Yorkshireman and kept my money in my
    pocket instead of having a flutter on them. 
    
    I've recorded last nights match but it sounds as though it went in a
    similar manner to the Rom-Col match on Saturday. Columbia had all the
    possession but no width, tried to walk the ball into the net,
    Valderrama didn't have a clue and didn't seem to be able to alter their
    tactics accordingly.
    
    Well done to the US - glad to see Harkes doing well.
    
    Paul.
    

    
    I think it will be a long shot for Columbia to qualify....
    
    As you say Carlos, they would have to hope for a USA victory and a big
    win themselves coupled with probably Group D's Arg and Nig winning
    their last games as with Group F's Bel and Holland winning their last
    group games....
    
    Sad in a way but I think like a few teams from previous World Cups...
    they were caught on the hop...
    
    Dezzz.

    Having just come off arthroscopic surgury, he doesn't the stamina for
    a full 90 minutes yet.  He is doing well though...

Only got round to watching the tape of the US v Columbia game yesterday (can't
keep us with all the games!) and was impressed with the US... they certainly had
a game plan, as you'ld expect given the experience of their coach. I would
say the US were unlucky not to have won 4-1... 

as for the the Columbians possession, I'm not sure that is relevant if the 
oppositions defence is rarely in trouble. I was particulary impressed with 
the US midfielder on the right, Ramos (sp?)... and although the US have some 
limitations they do play as a unit, and never seem to give up. 
Columbia played fairly well in their first match, but the result obviously 
knocked the stuffing out of them.

Norman

    I enjoy watching the US. The reason being, I think they play a very
    open game, maybe a bit naive (I don't mean that badly), but entertaining, 
    unlike Norway and Germany. 
    
    I hope they do well.
    Who wouldn't rather watch a game between USA and Cameroon, and Germany
    and Norway?
    
    I saw a program the other day about 'great players of our time' - Pele
    was obviously one of them. The reporter said it was unlikely a player
    like Pele would shine (with such brightness) in todays game. The reason
    given was the methodical, effective (boring) nature of the successful
    teams today.
    Listening to commentators, describing the USA, or Cameroon as "technically, 
    not very good" makes me sick. The USA and Cameroon (and teams like
    them) are entertaining - and if they do well, all power to them!
    
    Al.

    
    Agreee 100%...Last night the USA were by far the more entertaining but
    couldn't get the goal(s). At least they're making headline news in the
    States. They even cut off 'The Golf' to show the game....
    
    Hope 4 points are enough for them to get through and put a 'boring'
    team out !!!
    
    Dezzz. 

    Anyone got the Switz-Columbia score ?

    The US lost to Rumania?
    
    Now, what's the score:
    
    1 Rum  6
    2 Swis 4
    3 USA  4
    4 Col  3
    
    Or something like that?
    
    Marcel

    yersterday's scorelines were:
    
    	USA  		0-1  	Romania
    	Colombia 	2-0	Switzerland
    
    So USA, have to wait for the outcome of the other groups to see if they
    make the 2nd round
    
    	Eric

    
    Although USA lost last night, the Swis/Columbia result turned out well
    for them. Hopefully, 4 points will be enough to take them through to
    the next round as one of the four best 3rd place results.
    
    Al.

    If Columbia had beaten Switzerland 3-0 then the USA would have been
    second. As it is I don't see how things turned out better for the USA
    
    What they have to hope for is that the 3rd placed teams have either
    less than 4 points or 4 points with a negative goal difference. 
    
    Unlikely in Groups B D E F but fairly certain in C. 
    
    USA have to hope that Russia beat Cameroon, and that people like Saudi,
    Nigeria draw and that Holland don't score too many goals.
    
    If results go as 'expected' then they should be OK but it's always a
    bit dodgy on a zero goal difference.

    RE.-1
    > hope that Holland don't score too many goals
    
    What do you mean? The more they score the better, right?
    Negative goal difference and stuff.
    
    Marcel

    Yeah sorry you're right, a draw will almost certainly qualify 
    Holland as long as Saudi don't beat Belgium.
                                              
    Saudi are a danger for the US if they draw against Belgium.
    As long as things go as 'expected', eg. If Bulgaria dont beat Argentina 
    and Korea dont beat Germany then it's OK for the USA.
    
    Until the next round that is, when they'll get Brasil, Ooooopss ! 

    Final Table:
    ------------	
                      P  W  D  L  GF  GA Pts
    Romania           3  2  0  1   5   5   6
    Switzerland       3  1  1  1   5   4   4
    USA               3  1  1  1   3   3   4
    Colombia          3  1  0  2   4   5   0

    Romania    3-1 Columbia
    USA        1-1 Switzerland
    
    Romania    1-4 Switzerland
    USA        2-1 Columbia
    
    USA        0-1 Romania
    Columbia   2-0 Switzerland
    
     

re  Final Table:
    ------------	
                      P  W  D  L  GF  GA Pts
    Romania           3  2  0  1   5   5   6
    Switzerland       3  1  1  1   5   4   4
    USA               3  1  1  1   3   3   4
    Colombia          3  1  0  2   4   5   3(0)

    Romania    3-1 Columbia
    USA        1-1 Switzerland
    
    Romania    1-4 Switzerland
    USA        2-1 Columbia
    
    USA        0-1 Romania
    Columbia   2-0 Switzerland  
    
    

AP Report

Romania Beats Americans 1-0 to Win Group A

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) - Romania got a 17th-minute goal from defender Dan
Petrescu and beat the United States 1-0 Sunday, advancing it to the second
round of the World Cup as the Group A winner.

The victory, Romania's second in the opening round, gives the Eastern
Europeans six points and will play the third-place team from Group C, D or E
next Sunday in the Rose Bowl.

Despite the loss, the Americans - with four points from a draw with
Switzerland and victory over Colombia - still have an excellent chance of
advancing. With a 1-1-1 record, the Americans finished third in Group A
behind Switzerland on goal differential and will have to wait for the
remainder of the first-round games to be sure.

Romania, which was coming off a 4-1 loss to Switzerland, started Florin
Prunea in goal in place of Bogdan Stelea, who started his team's first two
games in the tournament.

The Americans dominated the early play and even hit the right post on a low
shot from outside the area by John Harkes in the ninth minute.

Romania seemed to content to counter-attack, which resulted in Petrescu's
goal.

A long ball down the left side was crossed over by Ilie Dumitrescu to Florin
Raducioiu.

Raducioiu dribbled across the top of the box before serving a through ball to
Petrescu, who one-time a shot from near the end line inside the penalty area
between U.S. keeper Tony Meola and the near post.

The Americans continued to have the majority of possession in the second
half, but produced only a few scoring chances.

Tom Dooley sent a header just outside the post in the 67th minute and Ernie
Stewart did the same in the 84th, both off corner kicks.

But the Romanians cleared most other crosses into the box and kept the
Americans away from the ball on set pieces.

Romania relied on a counter-attack to keep the U.S. offense back. Gheorge
Hagi curled a free kick from outside the right side of the penalty area in
the 67th minute that Meola had to tip over the bar. Lineups

United States: Tony Meola; Tom Dooley, Marcelo Balboa, Paul Caligiuri,
Fernando Clavijo, Alexi Lalas; John Harkes, Tab Ramos (Cobi Jones, 64th
minute), Mike Sorber (Roy Wegerle, 75th); Ernie Stewart, Eric Wynalda.

Romania: Florin Prunea; Dan Petrescu, Daniel Prodan, Miodrag Belodedici
(Gheorge Mihali, 88th), Gheorghe Popescu, Tibor Selymes; Ioan-Angelo Lupescu,
Dorinel Munteanu, Gheorge Hagi; Ilie Dumitrescu, Florin Raducioiu (Constantin
Galca, 83rd).

Referee: Mario Van der Ende, Netherlands

AP Report

DANA POINT, Calif. (AP) - U.S. soccer players were angry Monday: with each
other, with their coach and with their officials.

Most of the criticism was directed at the U.S. Soccer Federation, which
failed to tell players that two yellow cards in separate first-round games
would result in a one-game suspension. John Harkes will miss the Americans'
second-round game because he got his second yellow card in Sunday's 1-0 loss
to Romania at the Rose Bowl.

"It's embarrassing, actually, to tell you the truth," defender Alexi Lalas
said. "It's the rules of the game. It doesn't matter what your experience is
or how many World Cups you played in, at the very least you should know the
rules of the tournament you're in and we didn't."

The United States likely won't clinch a spot in the second round until
Tuesday at the earliest. Only a bizarre series of results would prevent the
Americans from advancing for the first time since 1930.

Germany's 3-2 victory over South Korea on Monday ensured that if the
Americans do advance, they'll play next Monday at Stanford Stadium against
Brazil or Sweden.

"We proved that anything can happen in the World Cup," Lalas said, "and now
we don't want "anything' to happen."

Most of the team's discussion Monday centered on the yellow card controversy.
USSF executive director Hank Steinbrecher and general manager Bill Nuttall
both misunderstood the rule, and players said the rules hadn't been explained
to them.

Nuttall took the blame Monday. The USSF's appeal of the yellow card, given to
Harkes by referee Mario Van der Ende of the Netherlands for not moving a
two-man wall 10 yards from a free kick, was made after the deadline of one
hour following the game and was denied by FIFA.

"The film clearly shows that Harkes and (Mike) Sorber hadn't moved from the
spot the referee designated," Nuttall said.

Harkes said no one on the U.S. staff had warned him that a second yellow card
would result in a suspension.

"It should have been explained to the players and nothing was made clear to
the players," he said.

Eric Wynalda was the only American player Monday who said the yellow card
rules had been made clear.

"He's the only one on the team I think who knows the rules," Harkes said
sarcastically.

Midfielder Tab Ramos also was unhappy Monday. In the past, Ramos has been a
playmaker in the center of the field, but U.S. coach Bora Milutinovic has him
on the right wing.

"Maybe that's why I got taken out," said Ramos, who was replaced by Cobi
Jones midway through the second half. "I remember Bora yelling at me to stay
wide. ... It's very difficult if you're on the sideline waiting for the ball
to be creative."

Harkes and Marcelo Balboa said that nothing should be made of their yelling
at each other after the yellow card. Both agreed that Balboa was trying to
keep Harkes from getting into further trouble.

Wynalda questioned the referee's impartiality, saying the referee was shaking
hands with Romania's players and patting them on the back.

"I don't know if they had any plans after the game, but it sure looked like
it," Wynalda said.

Meanwhile, the players waited for the rest of the first round to play itself
out. Most didn't concentrate on working out the math.

"If you do that, I think you go crazy," Ernie Stewart said.

    Today's results mean that the USA definitely qualify for round 2. 
    That's the good news!  The bad news is that they play Brazil in 
    San Francisco on July 4th.  However having just seen a not very 
    convincing Brazilian team draw with Sweden, I think they have a 
    chance. 

    Gerry

    Not the slightest chance.

    Isn't that what they said about US vs Colombia?  :)
    

    	Re: USA vs Brazil
    
    	It's not too clear to me what factor determines what team USA would
    play.   Looking at the chart, the 3rd team from group A was going to meet
    either 1st team from group B or 1st team from group C.    Can some one
    explain the criteria used here to determine USA vs Brazil ?  
    
    Thanks.
    
    A_Colombian_who_was_let_down_by_a_team_that_all_of_us_know_plays_10_times_
    better_than_they_did_in_their_first_two_games.  :(   :(
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    The decision factor for third games goes as follows, I've missed out
    combinations including Group C as Korea cannot qualify and included
    only those including Gps A&B as both USA and Italy must qualify (with
    us so far ;-) )
    
    Top 4 "3rds"	A1	B1	C1	D1
    			plays	plays	plays	plays
    
    ABDE		D3	A3	B3	E3
    ABEF		E3	A3	B3	F3
    ADEF		D3	A3	F3	E3
    
    Hence, USA (A3) will definately play Brazil (B1), Romania will most
    likely play 3rd in Gp D (Bulgaria?) Germany will most likely play
    Russia and Argentina (good bet for D1) will most likely play Italy.
    That's assuming that the third in Gp F, most likely S Arabia do not
    qualify.
    
    Now we will test you on that, with no peeking, in 30 minutes!
    
    Paul

    
>    It's not too clear to me what factor determines what team USA would
>    play.   Looking at the chart, the 3rd team from group A was going to meet
>    either 1st team from group B or 1st team from group C.    Can some one
>    explain the criteria used here to determine USA vs Brazil ?  
    
    Once Group C's wildcard possibility was eliminated, the C1 game was
    reserved for wildcard from B or F only; the B1 game for wildcard A
    (USA)...
    
    glenn
    

    
    Paul,
    
    	don't count your chickens before........
    
>>    That's assuming that the third in Gp F, most likely S Arabia do not
>>    qualify.
    
    Saudi finish 2nd in group F where the top 3 teams, Holland, Saudi &
    Belgium are all on 6 points. This means that Russia will qualify (&
    play Germany) if Bulgaria lose to the Argies tonight. In which case I
    make it that they (Argentina) will play Belgium and Rumania play Italy
    in the next round. Of course, if the last couple of nights is anything
    to go by, Bulgaria will win 7:0 & top the group, Greece will beat
    Nigeria 13:0 and qualify ahead of Russia as 4th best 3rd placed team
    and Nigeria will go out! 8-)
    
    JBG

AP report

Vladoiu: First Suspended, Now Sent Home

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) - A Romanian player already banned from three games for
a vicious tackle was thrown out of the World Cup by his own team Wednesday
because of foul behavior on and off the field.

Ion Vladoiu, a forward, will return to Romania on Friday, two days before his
team plays a second-round match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., a
statement from the Romanian delegation said.

Last week, FIFA, soccer's governing body, suspended Vladoiu for three games
for a brutal tackle on Switzerland's Christophe Ohrel in a first-round game.
That suspension, the longest in recent World Cup history, would have
sidelined Vladoiu through the quarterfinals.

But the Romanians said the tackle, which the statement described as "strong
intervention with one of the opposing players," was only one reason Vladoiu
was sent home.

It also cited "bad behavior displayed by Vladoiu in front of one of the
(Romanian) coaches." The identity of the coach and details of the incident
were not disclosed.

Romania won Group A and will play either Italy or the third-place team from
Group D in the second round.

On Tuesday, defender Stefan Effenberg was kicked off the German team and sent
home for making an obscene gesture at fans who taunted him.