SOCCER: The Far Post

Outta The Forrest

With only a few days until the United States Men's National Team resumes its bid for a spot in the 2002 World Cup, Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy continued its success with a 3-1 victory over the Chinese National Team. Galaxy midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos' double and Sasha Victorine's 70th minute put-away was enough for the Americans to kickoff their tour of Asia successfully.

The Galaxy are coming off a CONCACAF Champions Cup title, the first championship of any sort for Los Angeles. American fans failed to get into it however, with a pathetic 8,147 attendance at the Los Angeles Coliseum. You would think the win would send a message to the world that MLS is a quality team, but its hard to get excited about it when nobody in the country cares. The Galaxy did, however, advance to the 12-team World Club Championship in Spain. If successful there, that would give MLS a huge boost in respect and notoriety throughout the world not to mention the 2.5 million dollars awarded to each team.

Meanwhile, American striker Ante Razov's success in Spain's second division has come to a halt. After acquiring Razov, Racing de Ferrol had not only moved out of the relegation zone, but also had picked up some breathing room. However, two weeks after Razov netted a hat trick in the Spanish club's 5-0 blowout over Compostela, he was awarded a red card for punching an opponent in the face. Razov played a strong match up until then but will likely be suspended for two matches because of the incident. The suspension comes at a good time; however, because of the fiery forward's international call-up for the match against Mexico on Wednesday. But that wasn't all for Americans causing trouble in Europe.

Glasgow Rangers and National team midfielder Claudio Reyna was issued a total of three red cards in the club's frustrating 3-1 Cup loss to Celtic. One card was undeservingly issued during the game for an aggressive tackle on Bobby Petta and two more came after the game for altercations. Reyna is expected to start at midfielder on Wednesday against Mexico.

Two months ago, it appeared American defender David Regis was on his way out of France. But since the coaching change at FC Metz on Christmas eve, Regis has undergone a revival and was named Man of the Match in Metz's 0-0 draw with high-scoring French club Sedan. Regis is also expected to start, at left back for the Americans, against Mexico on Wednesday. Here is the rest of the 24-player roster for the match with the expected starting eleven:

United States of America vs. Mexico, CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying [ Wednesday, February 28th ]
GK - Brad Friedel - Coming off shutout victory for English First Division club Blackburn Rovers.
DEF - Jeff Agoos, D.C. United should start as he gets involved in the offense more so than any other United States defender. Greg Berhalter is the other option in place of Agoos or Pope.
DEF - Carlos Llamoso, could start pretty much anywhere in the backline for the Americans.
DEF - Eddie Pope, Arena thinks Pope and Agoos compliment each other well.
DEF - David Regis, in good condition and playing well for FC Metz. Key player in the American backline.
MID - Earnie Stewart, continues to play well for Dutch club NAC Breda.
MID - Claudio Reyna, tough month with Rangers but still remains America's top midfielder.
MID - Chris Armas, key player in the transition and counter attack for the Americans.
MID - Ben Olsen, unimpressive against Colombia but playing well in England. Cobi Jones or Joe Max Moore could be here.
FOR - Brian McBride, for the first time in years the Americans have an actual scoring threat up front.
FOR - Joe Max Moore, toss up between Razov and Moore for McBride's running mate.

Coming off the bench, Arena has to choose from: Zach Thornton, Tony Meola, Greg Berhalter, Greg Vanney, Cobi Jones, DaMarcus Beasley, Clint Mathis, Chris Klein, Tony Sanneh, Richie Williams, Ante Razov, Landon Donovan, and Josh Wolff.

Hopefully, Arena directs an offensive minded team as the Mexicans will surely be happy to leave Columbus, Ohio with a draw.

As far as the European Champions League action, who would have guessed Leeds United would be the first team to clinch a spot in the first knockout phase? Alan Smith's pair helped Leeds cruise by Belgian power Anderlecht 4-1 in Brussels. Meanwhile, Alex Ferguson's quest to clinch a spot vanished when Manchester United defender Wes Brown knocked the ball in his own goal to knot up United's match against Valencia at 1-1 in the 86th minute. Real Madrid are the only other team to have a spot in the next round, thanks to Raul's game-tying header against Lazio.

Manchester United and Bayern Munich have all but advanced. Expect Arsenal, Valencia, Deportivo, and Galatasaray to fill out the field. But could that be? No Italian teams and three English teams in the knockout phase of the Champions League. Not to mention Liverpool's UEFA Cup victory over Serie A leaders Roma, Parma's aggregate loss to PSV Eindhoven, and Inter's disaster against Spanish club Alaves. Italian soccer is experiencing a horrible year in European competition. AC Milan, currently in second place behind Galatasaray, is Italy's final hope for a European Cup of any sort.