The U.S. national team’s historic 1-0 victory over Mexico at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Wednesday night was especially meaningful to three Sounders who have competed there: coach Sigi Schmid, technical director Chris Henderson and forward Eddie Johnson.
“It was just amazing,” Henderson said Thursday. “Sigi and I watched it together. Both of us had been in that experience of being in Azteca. It wasn’t full this time, but that atmosphere is amazing. (Playing there), the Mexican teams are so confident. ... It was a great feeling as a former national team player to pull for our team and have us pull out the victory.”
Henderson, a 1989 graduate of Cascade High in Everett, played for the USA from 1990-2001. He was part of the 1997 team that played to a scoreless draw at Mexico City, which until this week was the United States’ only non-losing effort over 24 visits to Mexico.
Schmid was two-time head coach of the USA U-20 team and an assistant coach with the 1994 World Cup team.
“Obviously, a historic result for the U.S.,” he said. “I think it also was a good (advertisement) for MLS because (national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann) had a lot more MLS players involved than he did European players at the time. So it was a good mixture on the field.”
Another MLS player under consideration for the U.S. roster is Johnson, who scored 12 goals with the national team from 2004-2008. In 2005, he was in the starting 11 for the USA in its 2-1 loss in Mexico City.
Eventually, Johnson’s career stalled, both with the national team and professional clubs in Europe.
However, he has bounced back strongly in his return to MLS this season, where he is tied for sixth in the league with 10 goals.
Schmid says he has discussed Johnson’s improved play with Klinsmann. And while the call hasn’t yet come, Johnson said he has faith in the national team coach to make the right decisions.
“He knows the game,” Johnson said. “He’s played with some of the best players. He was one of the best strikers in his time, and he’s coached some of the best players in the world. He picked a strong enough team that got down there and got a result.
“The selections that he made: All of those guys are having good seasons. And if you want to be considered one of the best in your country, you’ve got to match the work that those guys are doing. For me, it’s about keeping my head down and working hard and just trying to get better as a soccer player every day.”
Other Sounders who have appeared with the U.S. national team are midfielder Brad Evans and defender Jeff Parke.
ADDED TIME
Honduran Olympic team midfielder Mario Martinez is expected to report to Sounders training today. ... Sounders FC hired CAA Sports to explore possible jersey sponsorships once the existing agreement with Xbox expires after next season. ... The Sounders trained at CenturyLink Field on Thursday before a crowd of about 3,500 youth soccer camp participants. Afterward, the players addressed the crowd and signed autographs. ... Before the Sounders meet Vancouver at 1 p.m. Saturday, volunteers will be at the CenturyLink gates will accept donations to benefit those affected by wildfires across the nation. The Taylor Bridge Fire in Eastern Washington already has destroyed hundreds of buildings and caused approximately 1,000 people to evacuate their homes.
don.ruiz@thenewstribune.com 253-597-8808 blog.thenewstribune.com/soccer @donruiztnt
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