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| June 24, 2006 | Saturday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 27, 1427 |
US captain hangs up his boots
HAMBURG, June 23: United States captain Claudio Reyna retired from international soccer ob Friday, a day after his final World Cup game ended with a disappointing loss and injury.
Reyna, who has been the US captain for almost eight years, played a key role in the team's surprising run to the 2002 quarter-finals.
But his final World Cup proved disappointing.
The United States finished last in Group E with one point after losing 2-1 to Ghana on Thursday in a game the Americans needed to win to advance to the second round.
Reyna sprained a ligament in his left knee about midway through the first half, losing the ball in a challenge that led to Ghana's first goal.
Reyna collected the ball in the 22nd minute when he and Haminu Draman collided, their left knees knocking.
Reyna crumpled to the ground in pain, Draman picked up the ball and ran one-on-one against goalkeeper Kasey Keller, hitting the ball right-footed into the corner of the net from about 12 metres (yards).
He was carried off the field on a stretcher, but was soon jogging on the sideline. He came back into the game in the 26th minute, but appeared to be in pain and was replaced in the 40th minute by Ben Olsen.
Reyna, who will continue to play club soccer with Manchester City in England, had eight goals in 112 appearances with the US team.—AP
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