Reyna leads U.S. team out of soccer slump

Claudio Reyna, showing the leadership U.S. coach Steve Sampson wants from him, set up two goals and scored another yesterday to lead the Americans over Austria 3-0 in an exhibition game in Vienna, Austria.

The win should give the United States (5-3-1 this year) some badly needed confidence heading into final preparations for the World Cup, where the Americans play Germany, Iran and Yugoslavia in the first round this June. Since a 1-0 upset of defending World Cup champion Brazil on Feb. 10, the United States had lost to Mexico, the Netherlands and Belgium, and tied Paraguay.

In addition, the Americans were missing their top scorer, Eric Wynalda, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last week and isn't expected back until mid-May.

After a listless first half with few opportunities, Reyna went through two defenders before feeding Frankie Hedjuk for an easy goal nine minutes into the second half. In the 89th minute, Reyna sent a back-heel pass to Brian McBride, creating a nearly uncontested shot.

* Germany, Italy, England, Yugoslavia and Argentina won World Cup warmup games while France, the host of this summer's tournament, played a scoreless tie against Sweden. On a day when 23 of the 32 World Cup teams played, Andreas Moller beat goalkeeper Willy Okpara in the 57th minute to lead Germany over Olympic champion Nigeria 1-0 at Cologne.

Colleges

Steve McClain, hired last week as an assistant at Texas A&M, was hired as head basketball coach at Wyoming. McClain, 35, replaces Larry Shyatt, hired last week by Clemson.

* Two Connecticut football players were among five people arrested on various drug charges after campus police said they found marijuana, drug paraphernalia and cash during a search of a dormitory room in Storrs, Conn. …