North Carolina State University Athletics
Mastroeni Selected For 2002 World Cup
4/23/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
April 23, 2002
Raleigh, N.C. - Former NC State stand-out Pablo Mastroeni (1994-97) has been one of 23 players selected to participate in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The U.S. National Team will be competing in soccer's most coveted tournament beginning June 5, hosted by Korea and Japan.
"It's an honor to be recognized by my country at the World Cup," Mastroeni said from the ESPNZone in Denver after the announcement. "I'd like to thank all my teammates with both the Colorado Rapids and the U.S. National Team for their support. I hope I have the chance to contribute to the team and help us make a successful run in Korea. This is a great honor for me and my family."
"I felt Pablo deserved to be on our roster because of the really outstanding showing he's had in 2002," said head coach Bruce Arena. "It validates the process."
Mastroeni was one of eight defenders selected to the World Cup squad, and one of 11 first time participants. Mastroeni has made eight National Team appearances, all this past year, and he is the only player on the final roster who did not make an appearance for the U.S. during World Cup qualifying.
"After an exhaustive process and many successes and challenges over the last four years, we have selected the 23 players who we believe will give us the best chance of success at the 2002 FIFA World Cup," said Arena, who has guided the U.S. to an impressive 7-3-1 record in 11 games in 2002, which includes seven games against other teams competing at the World Cup and a 2002 Gold Cup championship.
"There were many difficult decisions to be made in selecting this roster, thanks to the hard work and effort of all the players who have been involved in the national team program throughout the process. We will now turn our attention to getting this group physically and mentally prepared for the challenges of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. We are looking forward to focusing for the next five weeks on continuing to improve as a team. I am confident that come June 5 this team will be equipped to give a great performance in Korea."
Mastroeni joins Tab Ramos as the only two players in Wolfpack history to compete in a World Cup. Ramos played for the U.S. National Team in 1990, 1994, and 1998.
The U.S. will reconvene in Cary, N.C. on May 1 for 10 days of training at the State Capital Soccer Park before embarking on the team's three-game "Nike Road to Korea", a series of three final exhibition games.
