Real Salt Lake and United States defender Eddie Pope will be available for selection on Saturday when the Americans face Italy in a key World Cup Group E match in Kaiserslautern, as X-rays of Pope's left hand proved negative.
Pope, playing in his third World Cup for the United States, sustained the injury when he went down as the result of a challenge to Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved late in the game, his hand awkwardly hitting the ground. Pope will now have to tape his hand, allaying previous concerns about playing with a cast.
"I think he's fine," U.S. manager Bruce Arena said during Monday's post-game press conference and before the X-rays were taken. "I don't think there's a problem there."
Pope's leadership, intelligence and physical skills are essential to the U.S. defense, in terms of organization and strategy. Should he not be able to play Saturday, Arena has Carlos Bocanegra, Gregg Berhalter and Jimmy Conrad in reserve.
After its disappointing 3-0 setback to the Czech Republic Monday, the U.S. knows it must defeat Italy or its World Cup experience will not extend beyond group play. A loss will most likely mathematically eliminate the U.S. before its group finale June 22 against Ghana. However, given its minus-three goal differential, the Americans know a draw with the Italians will most likely lead to a three-and-out exit.
"There's still six points out there," Arena said. "That's the way you have to look at it."
U.S. defender Eddie Pope insists the 2006 World Cup team will avoid going the way of the 1998 squad, which somewhat turned on each other after an opening loss.
The 'Nats are trying to regroup from a 3-0 loss to the Czech Republic on Monday, and the veteran believes they can because of their unity.
"I think in '98 we started pointing fingers immediately, and this team doesn't do that at all," he told reporters.
"We all believe in each other and we all believe that we can regroup and move forward - in '98, it was a little bit different."
