Arena: We're just `dumb Americans'

By RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer

HAMBURG, Germany (AP) -- Bruce Arena and the U.S. soccer team quickly
settled into the role of World Cup outsider. A few hours after arriving in Germany on Friday, the American coach was questioned on his policy of allowing families to spend time with players during the tournament at the team hotel, rather than have the squad sequestered in an isolated location, as many World Cup coaches choose to do.

"We were told we were stupid and crazy and ignorant in Korea, as well, with
the families, so we'll just accept that as being dumb Americans," Arena said.

Arena also was asked whether he thinks his team is a target for
terrorists. "I'm not in that business of planning terrorist attacks," he
said. "I don't believe so. I think we are in a very safe environment. Arena, captain Claudio Reyna and defender Steve Cherundolo appeared at a news conference and discussed the team's first-round games against the Czech Republic (June 12), Italy (June 17) and Ghana (June 22). Cherundolo, who plays for the German team Hannover 96, deftly answered questions in English and German. He said the nation already is transfixed by the tournament, which opens June 9. "It's the topic in all of the street bars and cafes," he said. "There is really nothing else to talk
about at the moment, except for the World Cup, and that's what's going to
be so special."

Reyna, who played for Germany clubs from 1994-98, begged off answering in the local tongue, saying it was too early in the day after the overnight flight.

Three hours later, the Americans went through their first workout at Norderstedt, the training camp of the local Bundesliga team, Hamburger Sport-Verein. Asked why he had his players practice so quickly after the long flight, Arena responded with a mocking answer. "We don't know what we're doing. We figured we could come in here and maybe practice a couple
of times before the opening game," Arena said. "Why not? Just go out and
break a sweat a little bit, get the travel out of them. Try to get their
bodies adjusted to new times zones. ... I thought it was an interesting
concept to practice, but perhaps I'm wrong." Hamburg, a cool northern
port, is where the Beatles got started here in the early 60's.