U.S. veteran Thomas Dooley ponders if the time is right for a move to America On the one hand, the outlook of Thomas Dooley regarding age is not unlike that expressed two decades ago by German international goalkeeper Sepp Maier. Asked if the years were slowing him down, Maier -- West Germany's starting keeper on the 1974 world championship squad -- replied that he was like a fine wine; he just got better with age. Dooley may not be getting better with each passing year, yet he's still an invaluable member of the U.S. …

The San Jose Clash put together an impressive offensive display and beat UAG (Tecos) of the Mexican First Division 5-3 on Feb. 27. Lawrence Lozzano, recently acquired from the Dallas Burn, had a pair of goals for San Jose -- both in the first half. "We got Lawrence for his versatility," said Clash coach Laurie Calloway. "But he's shown us how good he can be up front." Chris Sullivan, Jeff Baicher, and "Gaucho" Silva (a Brazilian who last played for Puebla in the Mexican First Division and is trying out for the Clash) also …

The U.S. women's national team cruised past Australia 4-0 in Melbourne on Feb. 28 in their first match since winning the Olympic gold medal last summer. Two gold medalists and 1996 NCAA champions combined to open the scoring for the U.S. in the 12th minute. North Carolina's Tiffany Roberts sent a cross from the deep right flank to Cindy Parlow, who headed the ball over the Australian keeper. Tisha Venturini made it 2-0 five minutes before halftime when she out-jumped a pair of defenders at the far post to head home Mia Hamm's free kick. …

Goalkeepers -- Brad Friedel (Columbus, MLS), Kasey Keller (Leicester, England). Defenders -- Jeff Agoos (D.C. United, MLS), Marcelo Balboa (Colorado, MLS), Mike Burns (New England, MLS), Thomas Dooley (Schalke, Germany), Alexi Lalas (New England, MLS), Eddie Pope (D.C. United, MLS), Peter Vermes (Colorado, MLS). Midfielders -- John Harkes (D.C. United, MLS), Michael Mason (Hamburg, Germany), Claudio Reyna (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Tony Sanneh (D.C. United, MLS), Mike Sorber (MetroStars, MLS). Forwards -- Cobi Jones (Los Angeles, MLS), Roy Lassiter (Tampa Bay, MLS), Brian McBride (Columbus, MLS), Ernie Stewart (NAC Breda, Netherlands), Eric Wynalda (San Jose, …

U.S. coach Steve Sampson faces the stiffest test of his career in the make-or-break world of the Hexagonal this spring and fall. For the top three finishers, a trip to France beckons. For the losers, there is no consolation. Sampson gives his views on the five U.S. opponents. Interview by Duncan Irving JAMAICA High noon and heat "Jamaica is definitely the most improved team in the Caribbean. They're obviously taking their national team programs very seriously. They are much more organized than they ever have been in the past. They have enough players …

David Rodriquez Orlando, Fla. I want to know why Jorge Rodas quit the Clash and if you think was a smart move to let him go? Are there any chances that another Guatemalan player will be a part of the MLS? Thank you for printing my question -- it's really a great way of getting some answers. Ridge Mahoney: Rodas is leaving the Clash by mutual consent. Personally I don't think Rodas was worth the money the league was paying him, although he did have a few good games and has a great long-range shot. The …

The Colorado Rapids continued to look impressive in preseason play when they tied Mexican First Division club Chivas of Guadalajara 1-1 on Feb. 26. Newly acquired Paul Bravo scored the equalizer for Colorado in the 80th minute. "The players we obtained in the offseason to greatly improve the quality of our team are coming through," said Rapids coach Glenn Myernick. "I am very pleased with the play of our attacking players, including Paul [Bravo], Adrian [Paz], and our youngster Ross Paule... We have three more games here before we depart for Orlando (on March 6), so …

Feb. 26 in Los Angeles U.S. U-20 national team 1 Los Angeles Galaxy 0. Goal: S. Armas (West) 62. U.S. U-20s -- Kirk, Sahaydak, McCarty (Abukusumo, 52), Dunseth, Chulis, Stoddard (S. Armas, 60), DiGiamarino (Moore, 47), Parra, Eodriguez, Wolff (Mucino, 52), Quill (West, 52). Los Angeles -- Hartman, Wilson, Jolley, Pena, J. Jones, Karapetyan, Machon, Juninho, C. Armas, Taylor, Razov. Yellow cards: Los Angeles -- Pena (n/a). Att.: 50.

The MetroStars and Venezia of Italy's Serie B played to a scoreless draw Feb. 27. Former U.S. national team keeper Tony Meola had a big game, making several clutch saves to keep the Italian club off the board. He turned away a point-blank, 13-yard effort just three minutes into the match, and made a series of fine saves during a five-minute period in the second half. "We could have won today's match with a little better finishing," said MetroStars coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. "But overall, I am pleased with the way the team is playing. …

Claudio Reyna is a mainstay in the U.S. midfield but can't get a spot in Germany. Claudio Reyna is marking time. He's marking time at the U.S. national team's hotel in San Salvador, clicking his heels at a meaningless match. Before he joined the U.S. team for the CONCACAF qualifiers, he was marking time in Germany. He's marking time because his club career is on hold. Had he spent the fall with his Bundesliga paymaster Bayer Leverkusen, he'd have been riding pine. New coach Christophe Daum, a guy with one eye on the field …

Dallas and Colorado have both opened their exhibition schedules with victories. Dallas defeated Viborg of the Danish Super League 2-0 over the weekend in Pensacola, Fla. Dante Washington headed home a cross from Peter Hattrup to score in the first half, and Ted Eck added the second after the intermission when he chipped the Danish keeper on a breakaway. "Against a quality opponent, this was a great first game for our team," said Dallas coach Dave Dir. "I was very happy with our organization defensively, especially since we've only practiced together for about a week. …

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Pablo Lavallen scored in the 86th minute to give Mexican First Division club Atlas a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Clash on Feb. 25 in Zapopan. The match was the first practice game of the year for San Jose. Jurardo Mascareno opened the scoring for Atlas in the 19th minute, but San Jose equalized through Jeff Baicher in the 70th. The former Santa Clara star scored on an 18-yard shot off of a free kick by Shawn Medved. "It wasn't a bad start, but it could've been better," said Clash head coach Laurie …

U.S. national team and New England Revolution striker Joe-Max Moore, will undergo surgery Feb. 27 to repair an ailing groin muscle. The operation could sideline him for 2 to 8 weeks, depending on the severity of the injury. Moore hopes to rejoin the Revolution at their training camp in Pensacola, Fla. to work on his rehabilitation.

U.S. national team goalkeeper Brad Friedel has re-signed with MLS and the Columbus Crew for three seasons. "We are happy to have Brad Friedel in a Columbus Crew uniform for years to come," said Columbus GM Jamey Rootes. "He helped our team to a dramatic turnaround last season and he will be one of the best players in MLS now and in the future." Friedel, a former standout at UCLA, played the last nine games of the 1996 regular season while on loan from Galatasaray in the Turkish First Division. While manning the nets, he …