> For the sake of discussion, do most people agree that
> it's a good idea to include 'subjective' factors like
> motivation and discipline in the selection process? I
> could imagine potential problems with this... Larry: do
> you remember cases where someone was left out of
> the US Team because of something like this?

The U.S. always has trials, so unless a player does something to merit his removal from the team (hasn't happened), whoever makes the team through the trials is on the team. In the past, there usually was a "coach's pick" both in case someone is injured or sick and can't compete in the trials, and to allow the coach to bring in an up-and-coming player. This year they didn't do that.

-Larry Hodges