21.   In the second half, both the rain and Athletic dogged determination stifled the Brazilians who were without star forward Romario and key defender Dunga.

22.   Key central defender Juergen Kohler is suspended after being sent off against Brazil.

23.   Key defender Gregory Messam, who missed the Costa Rica game due to suspension, returns to replace midfielder Altimont Butler.

24.   Key defender Manuel Sanchis is back after being rested.

25.   Key defender Slaven Bilic is nursing a muscle strain that is endangering his start against Jamaica and could force coach Miroslav Blazevic into fresh lineup acrobatics.

26.   Lazio, which earlier this week negotiated a record transfer for Italian striker Christian Vieri from Atletico Madrid, will be without key defenders Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Negro.

27.   Lingering injuries to key defender Gary Pallister and flying winger Ryan Giggs were blamed.

28.   Leverkusen will be missing key Brazilian defender Lucio in the opening rounds because of a chronic toe injury.

29.   Maldini is also a longtime key defender for Milan, where he has won six Serie A and three Champions League titles.

30.   Milan was cautious in the first half as it missed key defenders Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Franco Baresi and rested strikers George Weah and Marco Simone.