Just three days ahead of the United States' 2006 World Cup opener against the Czech Republic, www.cdchivasusa.com caught up with Chivas USA and U.S. National Team midfielder John O'Brien, currently in Hamburg awaiting the Americans' first match...
How has the experience been so far?
It's been good. We're staying in a very nice hotel in the middle of Hamburg. The training facilities, the food, the security and the people helping us, everything around us has been great. And our team is feeling pretty good.
How does this compare to your last World Cup experience [2002 in Korea]?
It's different. Being in Germany, it seems a little less foreign, having lived in Holland, not too far away. The scenery is a lot the same, and even the language is comparable. Korea felt like you were on a different planet, I hadn't been to too many places like that before. In terms of the coverage, that's been very similar. There's been a lot of press and a lot of attention on us and on our sport.
How's the atmosphere inside the team?
It's great. I think we're all looking forward to playing. We've been here a little bit longer than a week, and training's been going well, we have great accommodation here, so it's just a matter of having the ball roll our way when the games start.
Do you have a sense of increased interest from back in the United States?
I definitely noticed when we were still in the States, it seemed like there was a lot more coverage from the American media than last time around. Last time, when we got out of our pool, and especially when we managed to beat Mexico and move into the quarterfinals, there was a lot of coverage. But this time, right from the get-go, there's all kinds of American press here.
How have you felt since you first joined camp?
Right now I'm feeling good. When I came into camp, I didn't have much training or games, I hadn't played too much. So I was looking forward to that and a little bit apprehensive, but as time has gone on, I have been able to partake more and more and I've been doing better. My soccer's come back to me a lot more, so I'm feeling ready to start playing some games.
How do you see the Czech Republic?
They're a strong team. Their offense is one of the best in Europe, and defensively, there are a lot of strong guys, guys who are strong in the air. So it's going to be a tough team to play against.
Does it feel like a homecoming of sorts in that you're back in Europe?
No, not really. Hamburg's not Amsterdam, though the cities are pretty similar, surprisingly.
Are the guys on the team keeping close tabs on what's happening in Major League Soccer?
We talk about it for sure. We've been in training camp, and checking out the city, but any kind of soccer news we can get, we've been interested in.
How did you hear about last night's result [Chivas USA's 2-1 win over the Galaxy]?
I heard about it at breakfast this morning. It was on [TV] a little bit too late to watch, so after breakfast, a couple of us - Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and myself - sat around the computer and watched the highlights.
Your impressions?
It looked like again there was a great atmosphere at the stadium and some great goals. It looked good, and I'm happy that the team has won some games. At the beginning of the season, we could have maybe gotten better results, and they didn't happen. Now we're starting to get points, so I'm very happy.
Any message for the fans back home?
Keep the support coming, I hope everyone's watching.
Chivas USA, Major League Soccer's Mexican-owned, Los Angeles-based franchise, is currently playing its second campaign in MLS. Tickets, starting at just $10 per game, are available by calling 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or online via www.cdchivasusa.com.
