Morocco Beats U.S. 1-0 in World Cup Warmup
Wednesday, May 24, 2006; 12:03 AM
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Less than three weeks before the World Cup, the U.S. soccer team opened its final warmup series with a key injury and a loss.
U.S. captain Claudio Reyna strained a hamstring early in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat against Morocco, which got a 90th-minute goal from Mohamed Madihi after defender Steve Cherundolo lost the ball to Bouchaib El Moubarki.
  USA midfielder Pablo Mastroeni (4) falls as Moubarek Boussoufa (13) of Morocco steals the ball in the first half of their friendly soccer match on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 in Nashville, Tenn. The United States will play against Italy, Ghana, and the Czech Republic in Group E during the 2006 World Cup in Germany. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (Mark Humphrey - AP) Injuries and Fantasy   Zinedine Zidane could face disciplinary action Thursday for his head butt on Marco Materazzi. Brazil Coach Alberto Parreira quits following a disappointing World Cup. Zidane apologizes for his head butt during the final, saying he was provoked by insults about his mother and sister. Italian soccer power Juventus is one of three teams demoted from Serie A to Serie B following a match-fixing scandal. Juergen Klinsmann resigns as Germany's coach after leading his native country to a third-place finish. France cheers on Zinedine Zidane but still wonders what provoked his head-butt. The 2006 World Cup had too many red cards and stoppages in play. Championship could help boost Italy's economy. Italian fans enjoy their country's World Cup title. The World Cup final television ratings are the best since 1994. Italy wins its fourth World Cup title, beating France 5-3 in only the second final decided by a shootout. After 31 days and 64 matches, the championship of the world's most popular sports event came down to one moment. Italian goalkeeper Gianlugi Buffon finishes the World Cup not having allowed a goal from the other team in the run of play. MULTIMEDIAPost's Jon DeNunzio and Jason La Canfora review the championship game. XM Satellite Radio's Dave Johnson calls of the key moments in Italy's win. U.S. REPORT After eight years at the helm, Bruce Arena, pictured, will not be back as coach of the U.S. soccer team. Video: The challenges facing soccer in the United States and ways to improve its national standing. U.S. Soccer Federation president, Sunil Gulati, defends Coach Bruce Arena. Arena draws the ire of the MLS. Arena weighs his next move. Though a commercial success at home, the U.S. team's performance in Germany is a disappointment. The Americans are eliminated after a 2-1 loss to Ghana. » Match Report WORLD CUP JOURNAL The road has reached Germany, and Post staffers continue to keep you updated with the latest tidbits. Save & Share |
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"It's close to the games. Obviously not the best timing," Reyna said, "but I hope I've gotten away with something very minor. That's what we're optimistically thinking. I don't think it's going to be long-term, but again, tomorrow I'll know better once it calms down."
Reyna was injured about 11 minutes in when he tried to intercept a pass. Four years ago, he missed the opening 3-2 win over Portugal with a strained right quadriceps, then returned and was stellar for most of the final four games as the Americans advanced to the quarterfinals in their best showing since 1930.
The 32-year-old midfielder is among only seven players in this year's tournament appearing on a World Cup roster for the fourth time. In 1994, he missed the entire tournament with a right hamstring injury.
"I have to see tomorrow, get an MRI," he said. "It just really tightened up on me. I just kind of stretched out for a ball."
Reyna was limited to 23 of 44 games last season with Manchester City in England's Premier League. He injured his right knee and ankle Oct. 22 at Arsenal. He returned Dec. 4 and played four games, then found out he had been playing on a broken ankle and had surgery. In his third game after coming back March 5, he dislocated his right shoulder March 18 against Wigan. He returned again April 8 and started the final six games of the season.
Four years ago, the warmup games proved costly for the United States. Midfielder Chris Armas tore an anterior cruciate ligament against Uruguay and his likely replacement, Greg Vanney, injured a knee four days later against Jamaica. That created an opening for Cherundolo, who was added to the roster.
As for this game, the fifth-ranked Americans looked shaky against the No. 36 Atlas Lions. Following a U.S. free kick, Moubarki stripped the ball from Cherundolo and sent it to Madihi, who was wide open and easily put the ball over goalkeeper Kasey Keller.
"Defensively I was very happy for 90 minutes. Unfortunately we make a mistake at the end," Keller said. "But I'm also disappointed after the mistake we didn't have guys chasing back. Things like that cost games."
Cherundolo could have put the ball out of bounds.
"It's definitely a mistake," he said.