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© Corey Arnold

United States Men's National Team head coach Bruce Arena has selected 20 players to represent the USA when the team takes on Honduras in its first road World Cup qualifier of the final round on March 28. That match, which will kick off at 8:30 p.m. ET, will be available to over 45 million U.S. households on pay-per-view, DirecTV and the Dish Network. The U.S. squad, split between Major League Soccer stars and European-based professionals, will begin training together in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Wednesday, March 21. Nine of the 20 players currently play with MLS clubs, while the balance play professionally in Europe.

The U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team continued their offensive assault at the CONCACAF qualifying tournament, storming past Trinidad & Tobago 5-1 to nab their second consecutive win at the Dr. Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence Tuesday night, March 20. DaMarcus Beasley paced the U.S. attack with two goals and two assists, and Landon Donovan chipped in with one goal and two assists. With the win – followed by a Costa Rica victory over Guatemala - the U.S. will advance to their third consecutive World Youth Championship for the first time in U.S. soccer history.

In what I think is a continued sign that MLS clubs have figured out what needs to happen in order for their clubs, and MLS, to survive and thrive, MetroStars General Manager Nick Sakiewicz announced on the 21st, the formation of an official reserve team and an alliance with the North Jersey Imperials of the United Soccer League, the first steps in what the organization envisions will be a far-reaching system that is ultimately designed to identify and showcase the top local soccer talent in the New York/New Jersey area and to develop future professional players. The program is expected to expand as early as 2002 with a MetroStars Youth Development Academy, which will work with existing clubs and youth soccer organizations in the tri-state area, rather than compete with them, to help identify and develop potential pro players from an early age.

The MetroStars won the 2001 MLS Preseason Tournament Saturday night by finishing in first place with 14 points in three games. The Tampa Bay Mutiny had an opportunity to win the tournament on tie breaker, but failed to beat the Miami Fusion by the necessary six goals as the Mutiny only won 3-2 tonight in Fort Lauderdale. The MetroStars won the tie breaker with a better goal differential of (GF:9, GA: 3) +6 compared to the Mutiny's +2 (GF:7, GA:5). The MetroStars accumulated seven points through two wins and one tie, and another seven points through goal totals. They tied Columbus (1-1) and defeated Dallas (5-0) and San Jose (3-2). Los Angeles (13), Colorado (13), and Chicago (12) finished behind the MetroStars and Tampa Bay in the preseason tournament standings.

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