North Carolina State University Athletics
Former Pack Player Mastroeni Gaining Experience With National Team
2/12/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Feb. 12, 2002
Raleigh, N.C. - While many NC State soccer fans know Tab Ramos for all his fame and experience with the U.S. National Team, another former Wolfpack player is getting his chance at the same opportunities. Former standout defender Pablo Mastroeni (1994-97) has been called up to the National Team, and will travel to Europe to compete in a friendly against Italy on Wednesday.
Just last week, Mastroeni was a member of the U.S. squad that won the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He started and played the entire 90 minutes for the U.S. in defeating Costa Rica 2-0 in the championship game. During the five game tournament, the U.S. allowed just one goal, and won its first Gold Cup Championships since 1991 and only the second all-time for the U.S.
Jeff Dieffenbach, a reporter covering the U.S. National Team, recently wrote of Mastroeni's effort in the championship game "Mastroeni exhibited a strong defense throughout the game, often characterized by hard stops well outside the penalty area."
"Pablo has done well overall," said U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bruce Arena. "He lacks experienced at the national level, and he's never been in a system where positional play for a defender is required. He is certainly making progress."
Mastroeni is fighting for a berth on the World Cup squad to be held this summer in Korea/Japan. With 23 roster spots available Dieffenbach thought Mastroeni's effort at the Gold Cup will help his chances of making the team.
"More than anybody else, Mastroeni improved his chances for the World Cup in June," according to Dieffenbach. "This voter gives him a coveted roster spot (for the World Cup)."
Mastroeni had been making waves in the MLS recently, playing the past four years with the Miami Fusion. In that span he has started 96 of the 100 games he has played in, and was named the Fusion's BIC Defender of the Year for two straight seasons.
With the Miami Fusion recently folding, Mastroeni was the first player selected in the allocation draft. He will play the upcoming MLS season with the Colorado Rapids.
While at NC State, Mastroeni was named All-ACC first-team in 1997, and second-team in 1996.
