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CNN Live At Daybreak

U.S. Team to Play Portugal on Wednesday

Aired June 03, 2002 - 05:56   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A different kind of round ball now. We've got your World Cup wake up. Mexico upset Croatia this morning one-nil.

The U.S. team plays on Wednesday, and while the players concentrate on the game, World Cup officials are focusing on tight security for the United States' team.

CNN's Tim Lister has details for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TIM LISTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hardly the normal welcome to a sports ground, but then these are not normal times. South Korean soldiers and police are on patrol at the United States training camp. In the aftermath of September 11, there's tighter security for the American players than for any other nation at the World Cup.

The 23-man squad are training daily in the run up to their first match on Tuesday. And even though they face some tough opponents, the mood in the camp is optimistic.

(on camera): The United States squad says it feels very secure here at its training base on the eastern outskirts of Seoul. The players certainly seem very relaxed and ready for their first big test against Portugal.

(voice-over): And Portugal will prove a challenge, blessed with some of the world's finest players, like Luis Figo. The world of soccer turns traditional power politics on their head. Here the U.S. are underdogs, but relishing the opportunity to play on soccer's biggest stage.

CLAUDIO REYNA, U.S. FORWARD: For us mostly we're excited, you know? We're the underdogs in this game, so hopefully we can go and, you know, probably surprise some people in the way we can play.

LISTER: And the team will have the support of at least some of the U.S. eighth Army based here in South Korea.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have found a lot of interest between the Korean team and the United States team based on our joint environment here. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because of the buildup, there's much excitement for the World Cup, because obviously it is a big to do.

LISTER: For U.S. Coach Bruce Arena, being at the World Cup should help build support for the game back home.

BRUCE ARENA, U.S. COACH: We have a great grassroots system. What we need to do is have a better professional system where all professional clubs are part of players' development.

LISTER: If this U.S. team makes it to the second place or the World Cup, that professional system might get a much-needed boost.

Some of the U.S. team took time out from training to visit the demilitarized zone just 50 miles north of Seoul. They may find Portugal's defenses just as formidable.

Tim Lister, CNN, Seoul.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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