And it is uncertain whether the foreign-based players can be integrated sufficiently in a limited time.

The squad is mostly home-based, with a few foreign-based players.

Obligations to their clubs will prevent most of the foreign-based players from joining the team until late next month.

Excuses, Excuses The absence of the foreign-based players is the Americans' primary excuse for their slow start this year.

These kinds of games build the team, and it's an opportunity to bring in some foreign-based players.

With foreign-based players such as Wynalda (Germany) and Wegerle (England) in the lineup, the American attack is undeniably livelier and more direct and resourceful.

Experimentation Continues It remains to be seen whether the foreign-based players can be sufficiently assimilated.

Several Scoring Chances Milutinovic has continued to assimilate his foreign-based players into the American lineup, and several times they provided scoring chances with their speed, dribbling and creativity.

And in recent exhibitions, the foreign-based players have more often co-existed than coalesced with each other and their home-based teammates.

OUTLOOK If the foreign-based players can be assimilated in time, the United States can avoid becoming the first host country not to advance to the second round.