March 28, 2001

MILWAUKEE-Former UWM men's soccer standout Tony Sanneh will help the US take-on Honduras Wednesday night in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, at the Estadio Olympico. Sanneh will start for coach Bruce Arena's US National team in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifer, beginning 8:30 p.m. (eastern).

Wednesday's match, which can be seen on pay-per-view, will be the second game for both teams in the current regional qualifying round. The U.S. upset Mexico, 2-0, at home last month while Honduras split, 2-2, with Costa Rica. Playing a total of 10 qualifying matches each, the top three of the six nations in the North and Central American and Caribbean region advance to the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

Sanneh, who played for UWM from 1990-93, will probably start at either the right midfield or right back slot for the injury-plagued U.S. team. With five players out of the rotation due to recent injuries, Sanneh will play through various foot and ankle problems to help the U.S. against Honduras.

"The foot feels better, my ankle is still sore, but everybody on this team has some kind of injury," said Sanneh of his injuries suffered against Mexico last month. "(Playing with pain) is just what you do when you're a professional. I think I've done a good job in general in the qualifiers, defensively. Like Bruce said, we haven't given up a lot of goals, and that's the goal. Hopefully they know they can take more risks and realize that they have four studs behind them."

The former Panther has also been in the press recently after announcing he is transferring clubs next year. Sanneh has played with Hertha Berlin of the German Bundesliga since 1999, but announced he will play for FC Nuremburg of the German second division, who is on the cusp of moving up to the Bundesliga.

Having been inserted in numerous positions for Hertha Berlin, Sanneh made the move to Nuremburg to gain more playing time at one position . He has played consistently at right defender for the U.S. and will play that position for his new club.

"I've played for Bruce for a while now and he knows my flexibility," said Sanneh. "Fortunately for me Bruce has used me in a position where I think it has allowed me to play more than I might have at another. So I think it's helped me on the U.S. team being in the lineup more often than not. In the recent months, I've played one position (defender). Although it's more of a newer position, I'm learning it and I'm committed to it."