CARSON, Calif. — For much of his decade-long professional career, Eddie Pope's body was as much of an adversary to him as any opposing forward.

In 2005, the Real Salt Lake defender missed games because of pelvic and ankle injuries. In 2003, Pope suffered a fractured patella. In 2002, he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery for the second time in two years. In 1999, he missed two months due to a broken right foot.

As 2005 became 2006, Eddie Pope had had enough.

The defender expressed his determination to play in his third World Cup for the United States by experiencing a makeover — not the extreme kind seen on television but through a demanding off-season conditioning program.

"I feel as strong as I've ever felt in my whole career," said Pope, 32. "I actually feel as fast, if not faster, and in better shape. I feel the best I've ever felt."

Bruce Arena, coach of the United States' World Cup team, took particular notice during the squad's six-week training camp at the Home Depot Center.

"I've been very impressed with Eddie's approach to this camp," said Arena, who has coached Pope since 1996. "He's worked harder in the off-season than he ever has; it was obvious when he reported here.

"Traditionally, we've seen Eddie break down a lot at this time of year, not being able to go at it day to day. If you look at this entire camp, he's probably in our elite group in terms of being able to train day in and day out. It's been fantastic."

Pope's presence is vital to the United States' hopes. He started in seven of the Americans' eight World Cup games in 1998 and 2002, and is one of only seven defenders in the national team's history to play at least 75 games.

"He is the finest center back the United States has ever produced," Arena told Major League Soccer's Web site in June.

"One of Eddie's best attributes is that he puts the fires out before they start," said Jimmy Conrad, the 2005 MLS defender of the year. "He puts himself in a position where there's really no place for the forward to go.

"He's had so much experience that anytime a play happens, he always seems to make the right decision. That's something I just soak up. It's always a learning experience for me to watch Eddie Pope play."

Pope also can score. He has eight goals against international opponents — including one in a 5-0 rout of Norway on Jan. 29 and another in Friday's 3-2 win over Japan — and gave Arena's D.C. United the first MLS championship in 1996 with an overtime goal on a header.

"Throughout his career, he's scored some important goals off set pieces," Arena said. "You can't ask for a whole lot more out of a center back."