(06/08/06) NEWARK ? Many residents in New Jersey will have the opportunity to watch three homegrown stars take the field at this year?s World Cup event.

Claudio Reyna, Greg Burhalter and Tim Howard will play for their country in the world?s biggest sporting event. Reyna and Burhalter both played together in Newark at St. Benedicts, and their coach says they?ve remained close ever since. Coach Rick Jacobs says Reyna was serious and intense, while Burhalter was a bit of a jokester.

Jacobs says having three players on the team speaks volumes about New Jersey. According to the coach, New Jersey should never take a back seat to any other state in the U.S. Team U.S.A. will take on the Czech Republic during their first game June 12.