Reyna said at a press conference on Monday afternoon that his chances are “50-50” to play the first game, while Mathis left practice this morning to have an MRI on his surgically-repaired left knee. The test was negative, but Mathis is also unsure for Wednesday. Coach Bruce Arena, who was seated next to Reyna when the captain made his 50-50 statement, raised his eyebrows. Asked about the prognosis, Arena said, “I don’t know, I’m not a mathematician.” But Arena also said, “We’ve been used to injuries. We rarely have the full lineup.” Could Mathis play Wednesday? Arena replied, “I’m told he could.”

Reyna said it was not his job to make out the lineup, but he noted that Earnie Stewart could move into his role in the midfield, or that Pablo Mastroeni, a newcomer to the team, “has done well there.”

If Mathis cannot go against Portugal, this would open room for another offensive-minded player like Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Josh Wolff or Joe Max Moore to work with Brian McBride up front. There are also hints that Frankie Hejduk has been training at left outside back perhaps to start instead of David Regis.

June 4, 2002. By George Vecsey(Seoul)

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