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Most observers reckon that the 2002 World Cup represents
the golden boy of American soccer's last crack at cementing
his reputation as a world-class player.
Long considered the most talented American player of
his generation, Claudio Reyna has yet to fulfil the
expectation of his nation's soccer fans: that he would
lead the United States to challenge for the World Cup.
After the U.S.' respectable performance at home at
the 1994 World Cup, hopes ran high for the American
squad in 1998 with Reyna at the helm, and Reyna was
indeed a constant presence for the U.S., on the field
for the entirety of all three games: all losses.
His critics have accused him of failing to come up
with big performances when it counts most; his defenders
counter that the expectations placed upon him have been
unrealistic, especially when he's played most of his
international career without a supporting cast equal
to his talents.
One thing both sides can agree on is Reyna's skill:
a classic midfielder, Reyna is the conductor of the
American attack with a lethal free kick and matchless
ball control skills, and he's unrivalled as a passer
among American players. Without him as the main artery
providing balls to the forwards, the creativity of the
American attack dries up.
"Certain players, when they have the ball, things
start to slow down in the game," said teammate
Earnie Stewart. "He's one of those players the
ball can always go to. It's not fair to compare to other
players, but (Zinedine Zidane) is the same way for France."
"He's a leader on the field and off," said
U.S. coach Bruce Arena, who also coached Reyna in university.
"On the field, he gives us the ability to hold
the ball more and thus have better attacking options.
You lose that without him."
That much was obvious in qualifying games the American
captain was forced to sit out with a groin injury, which
left the U.S. with only three out of possible 12 points.
The son of an Argentine professional soccer player,
Reyna's first major international experience came with
the American under-16 team, and he earned his first
international cap in 1994, one year after he was voted
College Player of the Year for his play with the University
of Virginia.
The 1994 World Cup loomed, but he was forced to sit
it out with an injury. Nevertheless, he was signed to
Bayer Leverkusen of the German Bundesliga in August
1994. After spinning his wheels for three seasons, Reyna
was transferred to Wolfsburg, where he came into his
own as the midfield maestro and the first U.S. player
ever to become captain of a Bundesliga club.
Reyna moved on to the Glasgow Rangers in 1999 and last
season, moved south to the English Premier League, signing
on with Sunderland for 4.5-million pounds.
The most important games of his career may well be
in Japan and South Korea, though, since Reyna is expected
to end his international career after the World Cup.
Although he's fighting injuries yet again, Reyna seems
at peace with what's expected of him.
"It's not just me. It's all the older guys,"
he said. "Anyone would look at guys who have been
there and have done things before. It's natural to look
at us."
With files from Associated Press and Reuters
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