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American invasion U.S. squad ready for match in Moscow
Posted: Tuesday April 25, 2000 04:26 PM
MOSCOW (AP) -- In a match with political overtones, the United States team makes its first appearance in Russia on Wednesday, trying to break a winless streak against Russian and Soviet national squads. The United States has lost once and drew twice against Russia, and was 0-1-3 against the former Soviet Union going back to 1979. The Americans did beat a Commonwealth of Independent States team made up of Russia and former Soviet republics in 1992. This time, the exhibition match at Moscow's Dinamo Stadium is likely to mean just as much to Russia. Russian-American relations have been strained by a string of international disagreements recently, and many Russians have become disillusioned with the United States, saying Washington gets its way in the world too often. As 16 games across will be played across Europe on Wednesday, many of the teams preparing for the upcoming European Championship finals. Russia will play Wednesday without such aspirations, since for the first time since 1984, neither the Soviet Union, CIS nor Russia has qualified for the quadrennial championship. Russia will be playing without Celta Vigo (Spain) midfielder Alexander Mostovoi, out with an injury. American coach Bruce Arena, who originally drew heavily on his European-based contingent, also has had to adjust because injuries, most recently dropping Colorado Rapids defender Marcelo Balboa, who was left home after suffering a concussion in Saturday's game against Columbus. The loss of Balboa, who made several highlight shows with his overhead scissor kick goal on Saturday, reduced the U.S. side to 15 men. Russian coach Oleg Romantsev is aware of the United States potential, citing its two victories over Germany last year, including 3-0 in a friendly. "The Americans have a sufficiently balanced team," he said. "Maybe the American team doesn't have stars of the first rank, but it doesn't have any obvious weaknesses. I think the Americans will play against us as they did against the Germans." The Americans, coming off a disappointing quarterfinal exit at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in February, are still continuing their preparations for World Cup qualifying later this year. While the Americans will go with Rangers midfielder Claudio Reyna, they will be without forwards Joe-Max Moore of Everton and Earnie Stewart of NAC Breda, both of whom are injured. In their place will be Dallas Burn forward Jason Kreis, last year's Major League Soccer soring leader, and Columbus Crew midfielder Brian West, who if he plays will be making his international debut. Most of the U.S. team arrived in Moscow on Monday and will leave the morning after the game so players can rejoin their clubs for weekend games.
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