"When we checked into the hotel in Bersheeba, where we were playing Israel, none of the workers were there because they were out to war. We got in late at night and there wasn't anything to eat. They may have brought us a plate of tomatoes and celery but we had a couple of bottles of scotch. Our preparation for that game was sitting in the hotel lobby and drinking scotch. I don't know whether U.S. Soccer is making progress or going backwards from those days (he says laughing) but that was our preparation for that game and that's when I got my first cap, against Israel. It was a good experience."

-- Bruce Arena, better known as the U.S. national team's most successful coach (1998-2006), reflects on his one appearance for the USA as a player -- in a 1973 friendly when he played in goal for the second half of a 2-0 loss at Israel. Arena's recollections are part of U.S. Soccer's centennial commemorations. (US Soccer)