Bruce Arena Last Quotations

There were lessons learned from the last time. We've really closely scrutinized the players. This time around we basically have a roster which we're very confident will be pretty fit.

The match in Cary is our last game before we make our final decisions on the World Cup roster, so it is obviously an important one for us.

As difficult as it looked last time around, I think it's going to look a heck of a lot worse this time around. I think it's going to look very challenging and it will be very challenging.

I thought it was a well played game for both teams. Both teams had chances in the second half. I thought our team had a much improved effort in the last 45 minutes.

Some of the players are on the fence, so to speak, and have their last opportunity to show - basically the European-based players. For our players it's also very good for them to be in a venue where they also get to play Italy and feel somewhat comfortable in this venue before we actually come back for our final preparations.

Obviously our main goal has been accomplished. However, the last two games in this round are extremely important, not only from a competitive aspect, but also in evaluating players.

This gives me a last look at domestic players. It's going to help me with some of the decision-making that lies ahead.

They're in a position we were in, you want to get it done sooner than later. This is a game where their sights are clearly to win, as it was for Guatemala the last time we were in Guatemala. It will be interesting to see.

Taylor easily could have been on the roster. He was certainly among the group as we went through the process. He was in and out, in and out over the last couple of months. His form at the moment had a little to do with it. We looked at the overall roster and tried to find the right balance, the right combination to allow us to play a certain style against certain opponents. ... There's not one factor that made the difference in the end.

I think our performance should be better this week than it was last week. They're another week in camp, they should be getting over the hump in terms of the physical demands and they should be getting sharper on the ball. Hopefully the performance on Sunday will be better.

It's only fitting that our last game in 2005 is being held in a place that has such a great tradition of supporting U.S. Soccer. We are certainly hopeful that this match will be a celebration of our efforts to qualify for the World Cup, and we're pleased to close out the process in front of fans who have supported us so well over the years.

If you told me I had to hand in a roster tomorrow, I could do it. However, we know from experience -- at least from the last time -- a lot of things happen.

I think you're always going to agonize over the last spots, and this time around it's no different.

I don't think the result of the game is that important, as much as is the performance of the players. Some of the players are on the fence so to speak and have their last opportunity.

Brian didn't necessarily win us over in the last six weeks. It's a culmination of knowing what he brings to us on the field.

We're prepared to play each and every game and, hopefully, I think one could look at our record over the last couple of years and realize that our guys are prepared to play every game. Obviously this is a big game and they'll be ready for it.