An almost completely new-look U.S. national team on Saturday plays its first match since last summer's FIFA World Cup, when it takes on Denmark at The Home Depot Center.
For the first time in almost eight years, the national team has a new boss. Interim head coach Bob Bradley, last seen leading Chivas USA into the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in club history, will be in charge for his first game after Bruce Arena left the helm last fall.
But Bradley won't be alone in the somewhat new experience. Because the game wasn't scheduled on an international fixture date, several European-based players were not available. A predominantly MLS-based group was called in, with several players getting just their first or second call-ups to the full national team.
Yet despite their inexperience, Bradley said a number of players have adjusted quickly.
"Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas) has continued to show promise as a forward. Kyle Beckerman (Colorado Rapids) and Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA) have been solid in midfield," said Bradley. "All I think have done well in their first camp."
Forward Nate Jaqua, newly acquired by the hometown Los Angeles Galaxy, is another of the young guns looking to make an impression with the new U.S. boss. Jaqua was called into a camp last winter by Arena, but suffered an injury that set him back. This year Jaqua is looking to stay healthy and help the national side get 2007 off to a good start.
"We want to make a good statement. We want to win," said Jaqua. "It's our first game. There are a lot of new guys so I'm curious to see how we come out. I think we'll play some good soccer."
Unlike Jaqua, Galaxy teammate Chris Albright is a veteran with the national team, having made tremendous inroads in the past couple of seasons that culminated in his inclusion on last summer's World Cup squad. Not too far removed from when he was first fighting to make the national team roster, he knows how important these types of games are for the young guys in camp.
"It's real important. We've put in a lot of hard work," said Albright. "It's a lot of these guys debuts so it's important for them to have a good showing."
For the veterans in the squad, Saturday is a chance to begin a new chapter in their careers and put a disappointing World Cup performance behind them as they begin the long march toward qualification for South Africa 2010.
Landon Donovan knows that Saturday's game doesn't mean all that much in the grand scheme of things, but at the same time recognizes its importance in terms of moving forward.
"It's not so much that we have to go out and show something," said Donovan. "It's just nice to get back out there and kind of forget about last year."
The new boss has his own perspective on the significance of his first game in charge. He knows that Saturday will not result in the "interim" tag being removed from his title or the establishment of the USA as a world soccer power. What's important to him in these early stages is the development of the team.
"When you have a camp like this, and you have the opportunity to step on that field you want to see that camp has put players on the same page, has established the right kind of mentality and is a good indication of the work that has gone on in this camp," said Bradley. "I'd like the team to play with a good level of energy. I'd like to play where there's good organization and understanding of how we want to move. Obviously we want to win."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
