Saturday, May 15, 2010

Chivas USA's Saragosa praises Brazil roster


CARSON, Calif.



While much of the talk in the American soccer community this week has been the United States’ 30-man Provisional World Cup roster, Bob Bradley wasn’t the only head coach who named a squad for South Africa this week.

A number of international teams have announced their rosters and, as per usual, there are a number of controversies over who has been included and who has been left out.

MLSSoccer.com checked in with the players of Chivas USA after their training session on Wednesday morning to get their take on some of the news and notes from this week’s various roster announcements.

• Midfielder Marcelo Saragosa, a good friend of Real Madrid’s Kaká, on his native Brazil, who has left superstars Pato, Ronaldinho, Diego, Adriano, and Marcelo off the roster:

“I’m really happy with Brazil’s 23-man roster. It’s sad that players like Pato and Diego have not been chosen, but Brazil has a lot of talented players and I think that the team that Dunga has selected is very strong and is very capable of taking home the cup.”

“I’m always talking with Kaká, and he is very excited to start the World Cup. He knows it will be very difficult, because the teams this year are all strong, but he’s happy with the selection and is eagerly waiting for the start of the tournament.”

• Striker Justin Braun on Italy, who have left veterans Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero off the squad, but have included young American-born striker Giuseppe Rossi:

“Totti and Del Piero are both great players and have established themselves – to me, leaving them home is kind of surprising. Rossi is a great player. He’s up-and-coming for Italy and I think that’s what they’re looking for.”

• Defender Mariano Trujillo on France, who have chosen to leave Manchester City midfielder and 1998 World Champion Patrick Viera and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema at home:

“France has strong group of players. Yes, Benzema and Viera are important, but they have enough talent with the players that they have to get all the way to the final. They’re a very strong team with players who have been really successful at their club teams.”

• Defender Jonathan Bornstein on upcoming US opponent England, who have chosen to make David Beckham a coach for the World Cup.

“It’s obviously unfortunate for David that he got injured, but I think he brings with him a knowledge of the game and a knowledge of World Cups. He’s already played in three of them. For him to be part of a fourth I think is huge for their team. I’m sure he will help them out in any way he can.”

http://www.cdchivasusa.com/news/2010/05/chivas-usas-saragosa-praises-brazil-roster