Bruce Arena Certainly Quotations

Obviously we look forward to the game on Saturday for a couple of reasons. Mexico is certainly and arguably our biggest rival in CONCACAF and that always makes for a good game. More importantly, any kind of positive result for the U.S. qualifies us for the next World Cup and that's been our objective since June of 2004.

Obviously we look forward to the game for a couple of reasons. Mexico is certainly and arguably our biggest rival in CONCACAF and that always makes for a good game. More importantly, any kind of positive result for the U.S. qualifies us for the next World Cup and that's been our objective since June of 2004. We obviously look forward to the game. We love playing in Columbus. We anticipate a great crowd, and one that's very supportive of the U.S. team. I'm confident we're going to field a strong team and play well.

I give the U.S. credit for passing character test. At the end of the day, it is not certainly a perfect performance, but we are on the road and we take two points away from the home team.

He's certainly capable. He's a guy who's good around the goal. ... He scored three goals. That's sometimes how you're graded as a striker, and if that's the case, he gets an A for today. All three goals were great.

He's done well. I had my concerns and I think he's a little ahead of schedule. From what we can see, his injury is behind him. It'll take a little time, but certainly over the next month or so, he should be coming into form.

He's had two very good games. He's certainly putting himself in a good position. It's going to be competitive right down the stretch for everybody. But Taylor certainly hasn't hurt his cause.

We look forward to the challenge against Guatemala. Obviously, Carlos Ruiz is the one player we're certainly well aware of. We know from qualifying they have a very good team, so it should be a real good game in Dallas. We look forward to our first visit in this wonderful facility.

Over the past week he's finally physically and psychologically recovered from his turf toe injury. That has been an obstacle for Eddie for a good six months or so, and that's completely past him. ... I think over the next couple of months Eddie should be back in full form and be a player who's challenging certainly for a spot on the World Cup roster.

I think I can coach there, but I need a team. That's a possibility, but you know how Americans are viewed differently there, but it is changing. If there is an opportunity, I certainly would like to explore it. ... I'm not ready to retire at 54 years old.

We know that Bocanegra and Johnson are certainly capable of playing 90. Beasley is a question mark. Therefore, we have not made a decision about his status yet for Saturday.

The previous match played no role in selecting this roster. It was based on fitness and form. We thought this was a good group. We know Bocanegra and Johnson are certainly capable of playing (a full game), but Beasley is still something of a question mark.

We see in Eddie a player with great potential, and certainly the injury put him back. He acquired a reputation that people expected a lot out of him, and I'm not copping out of that. We do expect a lot of Eddie, but at the same time he's a young player and he's getting there. His best soccer is probably for the next World Cup in all honestly. He's got a bright future, and we're hopeful he's moving forward.

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.

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'm not saying anyone's in or anyone's out after tonight. But Taylor's chances are looking as good as they did (after the Norway game). He's had a good couple weeks, and he's certainly putting himself into a good position. Tonight's play didn't hurt.

Clint continues to build a solid argument to make the World Cup team. He's certainly making it difficult for me to make some tough decisions.