Although the atmosphere at Tuesday’s United States practice was made livelier by roughly 1,000 fans in attendance, Bruce Arena’s interaction with the media proved it was just like any other day.
Media: “Is everyone healthy?”
Arena: “We’re fine.”
Media: “Eddie Lewis . . . “
Arena: “Lewis is fine.”
Media: “How about Claudio [Reyna]?”
Arena: “Everyone is fine.”
Media: “Every day there’s a new Czech Republic injury. Does that mean anything to you?”
Arena: “No.”
Arena’s typical impatience with the media also meant everything was back to normal one day after DaMarcus Beasley admitted he was “irritated” because he didn’t know his role for Monday’s World Cup opener against the Czechs.
The tight-lipped U.S. coach maintains he is unsure if he will start Bobby Convey, who could take Beasley’s left midfielder position.
“[Convey has] had a good camp,” Arena said. “Obviously, a good year with his club team put him in position to play. I don’t know if he will be in our first 11 or not, but he will certainly be a guy who’s stepping on the field.”
Clint Dempsey is another player who has had a strong camp, including an exhibition goal against Venezuela on May 26. Dempsey said he played 45 minutes in a private scrimmage against Angola on Monday night, which the United States won 1-0.
Did Arena tell Dempsey he will start?
“No, he hasn’t,” Dempsey said. “Everybody is looking sharp in practice, so I’m sure it’s going to be a tough decision for him. I feel like I’ve been playing well–playing consistently.
“Right now, my role is playing right mid, so I’m just trying to learn that position the best I can.”
Since arriving in Germany last week, the United States has opened its practice to the public for only one day. The onlookers in suburban Hamburg livened the mood with the wave and boisterous soccer chants.
Most of the crowd appeared to be locals catching a glimpse of the national team staying in their back yard, but there also was a heavy Chicago presence in the stands.
The Brother Rice High School soccer team took in the practice after arriving in town for an eight-game international youth tournament in Germany.
“It’s awesome to be in a place where everyone loves soccer,” Brother Rice midfielder Matt Ortega said. “There’s so much more enthusiasm [in Europe]. Here, soccer’s presence is a lot more vivid than in America.”
Arena was also pleased with the atmosphere, specifically the one in which his team practiced on Tuesday.
“We had a feeling there was going to be a good showing,” Arena said. “It was nice to see people turn out.”
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larroyave@tribune.com
