quote:

---

We won't lose focus, vows Arena
8 June 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com

Hamburg is beginning fill up ahead of Saturday’s Group E opener, but USA coach Bruce Arena is not concerned about any distractions, or a loss of focus among his squad.

The 2006 FIFA World Cup's most northerly venue is also one of its most vibrant, and while Saturday’s game between Argentina and Côte d’Ivoire has captured the imagination of its people, the city is also acting as base for the US team.

Situated not far from the notoriously raucous Reeperbahn and close to what promises to be one of the largest FAN FESTs in the country - it has a 50,000 capacity - Arena's team will find that distractions are many, varied and close at hand.

However, the US coach himself dismissed altogether any suggestion that his players' minds - and even the players themselves - might begin to wander. “These are responsible guys," he said, "so why should I have any concern?

“They are athletes who look after themselves and I will certainly be able to sleep well at night. There’s no worry with these guys.

“What am I supposed to do, keep watch on the lobby? I don’t think so.”

The first game for the US is in Gelsenkirchen on Monday against the Czech Republic.

US skeptical about Czech problems

Reports emanating from the Czech camp suggest that Karel Bruckner is contending with a string of injury problems, but Arena - well used to such pre-match speculation - clearly expects his opposite number to field a full-strength side.

“I read that four of their players may be injured," he said, "but my guess is that we’ll see them on the field for the game.”

As for his team, Arena says he has no concerns and will be picking from a fully-fit squad. “We're getting nearer to our starting line-up,” he said. “The last time we had a number of players who were down. This time I have 23 choices.”

That would seem to indicate the problems suffered by captain Claudio Reyna and John O’Brien have abated, leaving Arena to plot the Czechs' downfall with some certainty.

---