FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

Midfielder Tab Ramos, who saw his first significant playing time last weekend since tearing knee ligaments, was added to the United States World Cup roster here Wednesday.

Coach Steve Sampson still have one vacant spot on his 22-man roster for next month’s championship in France.

Defender David Regis, a Frenchman trying to become an American citizen in time for the FIFA roster deadline June 2. The Americans open June 15 against Germany. Ramos, 31, played 60 minutes last Saturday in a goal-less draw with Macedonia and is expected to start Sunday when the US team plays Kuwait in another World Cup tuneup.

“Tab, although hampered by injuries, has been one of the most exciting players ever to put on a U.S. national team jersey,”   Sampson said. “He represents what most Americans want to see in a player. I’m very happy to see him going to France.” 

Ramos joins defender Marcelo Balboa and forward Eric Wynalda as the only players to appear on all three of the United States World Cup teams this decade.

Ramos tore ligaments in his left knee in October 1997 during one of the final World Cup qualifying games. He tore the same ligaments in 1996 during a World Cup qualifier against Trinidad and Tobago.