Americans Abroad

Reyna chances of playing Saturday are deemed '50-50' as U.S. qualifiers loom.

Claudio Reyna's quadriceps strain in being closely monitored by Manchester City and U.S. Soccer Federation officials. -- U.S. Soccer photo --

By Gary Davidson (in Washington, D.C.)
SoccerTimes

(Tuesday, September 29, 2004) -- The United States men are hopeful their midfielder and captain Claudio Reyna will be available for upcoming World Cup qualifiers in El Salvador October 9 and against Panama four days later at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

Reyna strained a quadriceps, apparently in Manchester City's 2-1 English Premier League victory over Crystal Palace Saturday, then aggravated it Tuesday in training. Reyna did not dress for City's 7-1 rout of Barnsley Tuesday in the Carling Cup first round.

While one news report has Reyna being out for a month, Manchester manager Kevin Keegan sees Reyna having a 50 percent chance of playing in City's Saturday EPL match with Southampton.

"Claudio Reyna has at best a fifty-fifty chance of playing against Southampton," Keegan told the Manchester City web site. "He has a problem with a muscle at the top of his leg. It is not a long-term injury, probably two weeks or just over.

U.S. coach Bruce Arena is monitoring reports from the City medical staff. "We've been in contact with Manchester City regarding Claudio's status," said a U.S. Soccer Federation official who asked not to be identified. "Obviously, we're hopeful Claudio will be available."

Keegan said if Reyna is not fit to play against Southampton, he would object to Reyna joining the U.S. for the qualifiers, but admitted the final decision rests with Arena.

"If Claudio plays at Southampton, then we cannot stop him taking part in the internationals," Keegan said. "If he hasn't played for us for two matches, I guess we wouldn't be too happy if he went as he has still some re-hab and training to do. That is something we have to sort out amongst ourselves. But if the USA want him to go to El Salvador and they want to put him through a fitness test, then they have every right to call him up.

"It is not up to us, but I think if he does not play on Saturday, then we would be disappointed if he went."

The U.S. is halfway through the semifinal CONCACAF qualifying round robin, leading the four-nation Group 1 with a 1-0-2 record with five points. After playing El Salvador and Panama, the Americans close Group 1 against Jamaica November 17 at Columbus (Ohio) Crew Stadium.

The top two teams from Group 1 advance to the final round. Two victories, or a victory and two draws would secure U.S. advancement, while a victory and one draw would probably send the Americans ahead.

Gary Davidson is a SoccerTimes managing editor. E-mail Gary Davidson.