Post by thales on May 4, 2006 8:29:36 GMT -1
Winger Eddie Lewis has been cleared to play in what could prove to be the two biggest events in his life - the Play-off Final and the World Cup finals.
On Tuesday the 31-year-old was named in the final 23-man USA squad for the World Cup finals in Germany next month, and included in the announcement was confirmation that Lewis would be allowed to take part in the Play-off final at the Millennium Stadium on May 21st, should Leeds get there of course.
FIFA caused concern amongst Football League clubs when they announced that any player included in one of the 23-man for the World Cup must be would not be allowed to appear for their clubs after May 15th, bar the Champions League final, caused concern amongst Championship clubs who feared they could lose key players for the end of season play-offs.
Although verbal assurances were issued, the Football League first announced they would approach the issue with FIFA in December for official confirmation.
It leaves Lewis free to concentrate on this Friday's game with Preston without worrying about his place at the World Cup
"The play-offs and the World Cup are both very big occasions and I wouldn't want to put one above the other," said Eddie who was part of the Preston team that lost out to West Ham in the Play-off final last year.
"But if we advance to the play-off final, last season will certainly be an extra motivation for me personally."
The USA begin their preparations for the World Cup with a training camp on May 10th, followed by three warm up games against Morocco, Venezuela and Latvia before departing for Germany.
Bruce Arena's side were drawn in Group E for the World Cup finals along with the Czech Republic, Italy and Ghana. They play their opening match against the Czech Republic on June 12 in Gelsenkirchen before meeting Italy in Kaiserslautern on June 17 and then finishing off group play against Ghana on June 22 in Nuremberg.
has been a bit of the boil of late, but hopefully will play well ;D
On Tuesday the 31-year-old was named in the final 23-man USA squad for the World Cup finals in Germany next month, and included in the announcement was confirmation that Lewis would be allowed to take part in the Play-off final at the Millennium Stadium on May 21st, should Leeds get there of course.
FIFA caused concern amongst Football League clubs when they announced that any player included in one of the 23-man for the World Cup must be would not be allowed to appear for their clubs after May 15th, bar the Champions League final, caused concern amongst Championship clubs who feared they could lose key players for the end of season play-offs.
Although verbal assurances were issued, the Football League first announced they would approach the issue with FIFA in December for official confirmation.
It leaves Lewis free to concentrate on this Friday's game with Preston without worrying about his place at the World Cup
"The play-offs and the World Cup are both very big occasions and I wouldn't want to put one above the other," said Eddie who was part of the Preston team that lost out to West Ham in the Play-off final last year.
"But if we advance to the play-off final, last season will certainly be an extra motivation for me personally."
The USA begin their preparations for the World Cup with a training camp on May 10th, followed by three warm up games against Morocco, Venezuela and Latvia before departing for Germany.
Bruce Arena's side were drawn in Group E for the World Cup finals along with the Czech Republic, Italy and Ghana. They play their opening match against the Czech Republic on June 12 in Gelsenkirchen before meeting Italy in Kaiserslautern on June 17 and then finishing off group play against Ghana on June 22 in Nuremberg.
has been a bit of the boil of late, but hopefully will play well ;D
One by one the penguins steal my sanity.