Lalas Heads Soccer Team

World Cup veterans Alexi Lalas, Tab Ramos, John Harkes and Eric Wynalda were among 24 players selected to the preliminary national squad for qualifying games for the 1998 tournament.

Also named were newcomers Eddie Pope, Preki, Greg Vanney and Martin Vazquez.

U.S. Major League Soccer’s announced 1998 expansion probably will be delayed a year because of doubts about stadium availability in Chicago, MLS commissioner Doug Logan said.