U-20 boss Ramos confirms USMNT interest

Following a disastrous qualifying campaign that saw the United States miss out on the World Cup for the first time since 1986, the search for Bruce Arena's successor is in full flight.

U.S. Under-20 manager and 81-time capped international Tab Ramos seems to have thrown his hat in the ring for the gig, as the club deals with its darkest period in national team history.

Reportedly tabbed for the position on the heels of Arena's resignation Friday, Ramos was asked during the New York Red Bulls match Sunday if he'd be interested in the job.

"If you'd ask everyone here at the Red Bulls game if they'd be interested in the national team job they would say yes," Ramos told Metro. "And I'm just another fan so I'd say yes as well."

Ramos, 51, also denied a link suggesting he'll take the reigns on an interim basis for November's international friendly with Portugal, saying he "can't discuss at this point."

Part of a squad that played in the 1990 and '94 World Cups, Ramos was an integral part of a team enjoying a footballing ascension as a minnow among the heavyweights of American sport. Since he retired from the national team in November 2000, the Stars and Stripes have continued that rise until Tuesday's defeat at Trinidad & Tobago seemingly set the program back decades.

"It was very hard back in the '80s to get people to recognize that we play soccer. Sometimes it feels like a slap in the face that we have to go dig ourselves out," Ramos admitted.

"One thing I know about us is that we picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off back in 1989. We'll do it again."