North Carolina State University Athletics
Mastroeni Turns Many Heads at 2002 World Cup
6/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
June 21, 2002
Raleigh, N.C. - The 2002 World Cup took center stage for billions of soccer fans across the world. Not only did the U.S. exceed expectations with a trip to the quarterfinals, but former Wolfpack player Pablo Mastroeni got the chance to shine on this international level.
Mastroeni started three games in the 2002 World Cup as a defensive midfielder, against Portugal, Mexico and Germany. Consequently the U.S. went 2-1 in those games, including recording its first shutout in World Cup action since 1950.
The following are soundbites about Mastroeni taken from the U.S. World Cup team being formed, up till the loss in the quarterfinals to Germany 1-0.
"Mastroeni exhibited a strong defense throughout the (CONCACAF Gold Cup), often characterized by hard stops well outside the penalty area." - Jeff Dieffenbach after the U.S. won the Gold Cup
"I felt Pablo deserved to be on our roster because of the really outstanding showing he's had in 2002. It validates the process." - Bruce Arena after setting roster for World Cup
"It's an honor to be recognized and to represent Denver and my country at the World Cup. I'd like to thank all my teammates with both the 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" - Pablo Mastroeni upon being named to the Wold Cup team
"With every camp I believe that I have improved and I feel more comfortable every time I come out for the National Team. You have to believe in yourself to be a competitive professional athlete." - Pablo Mastroeni preparing for World Cup
"To be part of the World Cup, something that I always watched growing up, something that everyone in the soccer world talks about, is an amazing, amazing accomplishment." - Pablo Mastroeni just before World Cup
"It is a tremendous feeling. It has been a dream, a surreal experience. I have waited patiently, and it is something that I was just taking this World Cup in for an experience more so than anything else, and getting thrown into the fire and having to perform has been something that I have only dreamed about. So I just wait and be patient, and whenever I get the opportunity try to make th best of it. But for me this is beyond a dream." - Pablo Mastroeni after starting against Portugal.
"He has played very well in the central midfield role. He has primarily been given defensive responsibilities and has done an outstanding job and has done very well on the ball. Overall I think he has been great. He started two games against Portugal and Mexico, two games in which we have been successful and you need to give Pablo a lot of credit for that." - Bruce Arena on the play of Pablo Mastroeni after the Mexico game
"All the U.S. does with Pablo Mastroeni in the lineup is win games." - ESPN's Rob Stone after the U.S. beat Mexico 2-0
"Cool, composed and effective." - Joe Curley of the Daily Camera describing Pablo Mastroeni's performance versus Mexico
"In just (a few) matches, the Argentine-born player has become a force to be reckoned with. Few will disagree that he has emerged as a valid player." - Jamie Trecker of SportsTicker
"Pablo is a wonderful talent and a player (with) all the tools. He brings more to the game then most defenders. His feet may tackle like a center back, but they can create like a (playmaker)." - Colorado Rapids head coach Tim Hankinson
"The magnitude and the accomplishment of watching Pablo play in the World Cup just gives me goose bumps thinking about it. It makes my heart full of joy." - NC State head coach George Tarantini
"He's got some good quickness, he's good on the ball, plus he can play a variety of positions. In the big picture he's probably going to be around the next four years (with the National Team), so it's good he is getting this opportunity now." - Bruce Arena on Pablo Mastroeni
"He is a guy that can play a lot of positions. He played as a center back for us in the Gold Cup in January. He has played as a right back at times and in the center midfield role, so we knew that a player with that kind of versatility within a 23-man roster would be important and it has certainly paid off having him here." - Bruce Arena on Pablo Mastroeni
