Saturday, July 14, 2007 | 7:06 a.m.
Thirty security guards, with AK-47 machine guns, stood sentry on the floor of the hotel that housed the U.S. national soccer team last week at the Copa America tournament in Venezuela.
En route to a training facility and stadiums for games , police cleared streets for the two U.S. buses. The other side of the street was gridlocked, and locals stood outside their cars to cheer and wave at the visitors.
That international good will extended into the sold-out stadiums, where fans danced, exuberantly lit flares and welcomed the foreigners.
"Like nothing I've ever seen," said Las Vegas High graduate Herculez Gomez, who played his first two international games for the United States in Venezuela.
"Just insane. Even with all the problems between their president and our president, we were treated very well. It was a great experience."
The U.S. lost all three of its group-stage matches; 4-1 to Argentina in Maracaibo, 3-1 to Paraguay in Barinas and 1-0 to Colombia in Barquisimeto.
U.S. coach Bob Bradly put Gomez into the Argentina match in the 69th minute and he immediately found himself chasing Lionel Messi, one of the premier players in the world, down a touchline.
"He tried turning me, going the other way with speed," Gomez said. "I knocked him off the ball and stole it. My very first touch. Definitely surreal."
Before that match started, Gomez was thrilled when he heard a rise out of the crowd. Chants started, and everyone pointed toward Argentine legend Diego Maradona.
"I couldn't believe it," Gomez said. "There he was. It really hit me, where I was. Not many people can say they played against a team like Argentina or competed in the Copa America."
Gomez played the first half against Colombia and was aggressive. He missed a free kick wide of the left post.
The U.S. did not fare well in Venezuela, but Bradley tried out many new players, such as Gomez, who might form the backbone of the team that will try to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
"A lot of U.S. players get their first international appearance against Haiti or Panama, teams like that," Gomez said. "To get my first one against one of the best teams in the world, Argentina, was very motivating for me.
"My confidence went so high."
A midfielder for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer, Gomez said he did not receive feedback about his play or his future with the national team from the usually reserved Bradley after the Copa America.
Assistant coach Peter Nowak, however, did chat with Gomez.
"He had nothing but good things to say," Gomez said. "I have to do well in MLS. Bob doesn't want players who are not doing well on their club team. I'll show that first, and the rest will come.
"I've done things and experienced things in the soccer world that people twice my age can only dream about. "
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