Team USA arrives in South Korea for World Cup

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Posted 8:07AM on Friday, May 24, 2002

INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA - The U.S. soccer team arrived at the World Cup and was met with a vast security force designed to protect the Americans. Following a 14 1/2 -hour flight from New York, the players looked tired Friday as they left Seoul-Incheon Airport. About 500 police formed a corridor the players walked through. SWAT team members carried automatic weapons and pistols. The team was given a police escort for the hourlong bus ride into Seoul, where the Americans will stay before their World Cup opener against Portugal on June 5. Three helicopters flew above the motorcade, with police and security forces in cars to the side. ``We've been here before and we anticipated great security,'' U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. ``Perhaps not to this degree, but I'm not complaining. The Koreans do an outstanding job with respect to the American team.'' Following last September's terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, World Cup organizers and FIFA stepped up security efforts for the entire 64-game tournament, which starts May 31. Asked if terrorism was a worry, Arena said: ``I'm not concerned about that.'' Even before the team's arrival, security officials installed metal detectors at the entrances of the hotel for the American team in Seoul. On Friday morning, security officials checked the trunks of cars at the hotel and used mirrors to look underneath other cars nearby. In addition to the security presence, the U.S. team was also greeted by fans. ``Welcome USA,'' ``USA Supported Korea For Korean War,'' ``Korea Now Supports US Team,'' said signs from the Korean Veterans Association. There was a lower-key send-off at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Thursday. ``The reality of it is certainly setting in,'' defender Jeff Agoos said before boarding. ``We've been looking forward to this moment ever since we went out of the tournament in '98.'' Agoos, the oldest player on the team at 34, was part of the Americans' last-place finish in France. The United States lost to Germany, Iran and Yugoslavia, scoring but one goal in the process. ``This is actually a little bit more relaxed than the last two times I've gone to the World Cup,'' goalkeeper Kasey Keller said. The United States is in Group D, and after opening against Portugal, will play co-host South Korea on June 10 and Poland on June 14. The Americans began training May 1 in North Carolina. While most of the team was available at the opening of camp, a few arrived late while completing seasons with their clubs in Europe. Following camp, the Americans played three exhibition games within one week to simulate a World Cup schedule. The U.S. team defeated Uruguay 2-1 on May 12, beat Jamaica 5-0 on May 16 and lost 2-0 to the Netherlands on Sunday. ``We got some togetherness,'' Keller said. ``I think we're still not quite there and I think that's a good place to be. I think in '98 we peaked in April, which wasn't right. So, now I think we're still fresh.'' The United States went undefeated in its last five warmup games leading to the 1998 World Cup, but that success did not carry over into France. This time, the American team has learned from playing against some of Europe's top teams, including Germany and the Netherlands, in the months before the tournament. ``We're looking forward to the challenge of the World Cup,'' Arena said. ``I think our guys have done well to prepare for it.'' Arena, before boarding the flight for South Korea, was asked about expectations. ``Yes, we have expectations,'' he said. ``We'd like to advance.''