| The U.S. soccer team is under heavy security at the | | | | course, unbeknownst to us, a press conference was |
| World Cup in Germany. Nowhere is that more | | | | held by the organizing committee that displayed all 32 |
| apparent than at its training base in Hamburg. | | | | buses and our bus, sans [without] flag, thus nullifying |
| Ever since arriving in Germany for the FIFA World | | | | any security effects that that decision might have |
| Cup, footballs biggest tournament that is held every | | | | had. So that was an error on their part and were not |
| four years, the U.S. soccer team has been well | | | | afraid to say that." |
| protected. | | | | Theres no doubt people know what the blue U.S. |
| Team spokesman Jim Moorhouse told VOA Sports | | | | team bus looks like as it makes its way on different |
| that a lot of planning went into security measures for | | | | routes from the hotel to the Americans training |
| the players, their families and U.S. Soccer Federation | | | | ground at the Hamburg SV football club in the |
| officials. | | | | suburbs. It has a huge police motorcade with wailing |
| "For a little more than a year weve been working | | | | sirens and a usually a helicopter overhead. |
| very closely with the State Department, as well as | | | | Police spokesman Ralf Meyer told VOA Sports that |
| FIFA [football's world governing body] and the local | | | | the local residents are now accepting of the |
| organizing committee, as well as the Hamburg police | | | | occasional inconveniences when the U.S. team is |
| to make sure all the parameters were in place," said | | | | traveling through their neighborhoods. |
| Jim Moorhouse. "And we feel like everythings been | | | | "We have no problems anymore," said Ralf Meyer. |
| covered very well." | | | | "Were there. We've talked to them. We tried to |
| Of the groups assigned to security detail for the U.S. | | | | clear [make them understand] everything, and now |
| team, the most visible are the Hamburg police. Police | | | | we have a situation that everything is all right, and |
| spokesman Ralf Mayer says all 10,000 members of | | | | we have no critics from there. And I think we have a |
| the force are involved at one time or another. On | | | | good concept. And the people are involved. They |
| games days, 2,900 police are on duty in Hamburg. He | | | | understand what we do because of the history of 9 |
| says typically 100 are assigned to the U.S. soccer | | | | 11, and I think everything is okay." |
| teams hotel in the downtown area near the main | | | | U.S. soccer team coach Bruce Arena says they are |
| train station, as well as a SWAT team. The street in | | | | accustomed to the tight security. |
| front of the luxury hotel is barricaded and has very | | | | "Security doesnt bother us," he said. "In fact, I think |
| limited access. | | | | it makes us comfortable." |
| For security reasons, the U.S. team is the only one of | | | | And team spokesman Jim Moorhouse says security is |
| the 32 at the World Cup traveling in an unmarked | | | | a way of life for all teams at such a high profile |
| bus. But Moorhouse said it did not turn out to be | | | | event. |
| much of a secret. | | | | "We are at the World Cup, and its not only the |
| "Its a little bit of an interesting story because thats a | | | | biggest sporting event in the world, its the biggest |
| decision that was made well over a year ago with | | | | event in the world, so theres security everywhere," |
| the State Department," he said. "And at the time, | | | | he said. "Its not just on the U.S. team but it seems |
| the question arose, would that be a safer thing to | | | | to be where everyone is focused. |
| do. It probably was. We made that decision. Of | | | | |