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USA
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/goal/posts/usa.cuba.533.jpg
Manager: Bob Bradley
Captain: Carlos Bocanegra
FIFA Ranking: 14
Group C
Background: The US of A head to South Africa for their sixth consecutive World Cup. An exciting 2002 World Cup squad saw them reach the quarter-finals with a young Landon Donovan leading the line but they disappointed in 2006 as they failed to reach the second round. Their claims that they are a "growing football super power" are questionable and need a good performance in South Africa to prove that they are. This was helped by their run to the Confederations Cup Final in 2009 as they shocked Spain to reach the final before losing out to Brazil. With most of their best players placed in Europe there's no doubt that American football is improving and the profile of the MLS has only been helped by a certain Englishman called Mr Beckham.
Qualification: The Red, White and Blue easily qualified from the simple CONCACAF qualification system, finishing in first place of the six team group. The USA won six, drew two and lost two, although the losses disappointedly came against Costa Rica and Mexico. They also saw off the Honduras and Trinidad & Tobago twice, El Salvador and Mexico once, and failed to beat Costa Rica, who secured a draw and a win against the Northern Americans.
The Team
Strengths: Spirit. The Americans have the desire and fight to do well in this tournament. They chase every ball down, they pressure, close down and tackle every ball. This spirit, instilled by Bob Bradley, helps the Americans to achieve more than, perhaps, their talent should allow them to, helped by good fitness rates.
Weaknesses: Chances are hard to come by for the Red, White and Blue. The US lack creative players; only Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey having the quality to create something out of nothing and the big question will be whether or not the LA Galaxy and Fulham men can carry the rest of the team along on their shoulders as they are the only two who can create and convert chances.
The Manager: Bob Bradley is often criticised for holding back and being too conservative, earning the American many critics, but he definitely doesn't hold back when it comes to giving players chances; 87 different players have received a cap under Bradley's tenure. However, the American manager has a good record, having won 34 and only lost 6 while in charge.
Star Men: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)
The American striker, who spent time on loan at Everton earlier on in the season, is the Americans main source of goals. The current goalscoring record holder for the nation, with 42 goals to his name, is skillful and quick, and has great passing ability. Not only does he hold the record for goals for his country, but also assists, and the only worry for American fans is that he cannot carry the team throughout the whole tournament. This man is the USA's hopes of doing well in South Africa.
Carlos Bocanegra (Stade Rennes)
The ex-Fulham centre-back will also have a lot of pressure on him this summer. With fellow centre-back's Jay de Merit and Oguchi Onyewu out injured there'll be a lot of pressure on the tall captain. De Merit is expected to be fit by June 12th when the USA face England but his normal partner, AC Milan's Onyewu is unlikely to return after having knee surgery but may be involved. Bocanegra will have to produce his best in order to keep cleansheets.
manor15's Prediction
Second Round. The USA should have enough about them to see off Slovenia and Algeria in the group stages but don't think they'll be able to top England's efforts to top the group and consequently would probably face Germany in the second round, where work rate will not be enough as quality and talent come to the fore, something that the USA currently lack; a "football superpower" they are not, but they may start to make an impact.
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/goal/posts/usa.cuba.533.jpg
Manager: Bob Bradley
Captain: Carlos Bocanegra
FIFA Ranking: 14
Group C
Background: The US of A head to South Africa for their sixth consecutive World Cup. An exciting 2002 World Cup squad saw them reach the quarter-finals with a young Landon Donovan leading the line but they disappointed in 2006 as they failed to reach the second round. Their claims that they are a "growing football super power" are questionable and need a good performance in South Africa to prove that they are. This was helped by their run to the Confederations Cup Final in 2009 as they shocked Spain to reach the final before losing out to Brazil. With most of their best players placed in Europe there's no doubt that American football is improving and the profile of the MLS has only been helped by a certain Englishman called Mr Beckham.
Qualification: The Red, White and Blue easily qualified from the simple CONCACAF qualification system, finishing in first place of the six team group. The USA won six, drew two and lost two, although the losses disappointedly came against Costa Rica and Mexico. They also saw off the Honduras and Trinidad & Tobago twice, El Salvador and Mexico once, and failed to beat Costa Rica, who secured a draw and a win against the Northern Americans.
The Team
Strengths: Spirit. The Americans have the desire and fight to do well in this tournament. They chase every ball down, they pressure, close down and tackle every ball. This spirit, instilled by Bob Bradley, helps the Americans to achieve more than, perhaps, their talent should allow them to, helped by good fitness rates.
Weaknesses: Chances are hard to come by for the Red, White and Blue. The US lack creative players; only Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey having the quality to create something out of nothing and the big question will be whether or not the LA Galaxy and Fulham men can carry the rest of the team along on their shoulders as they are the only two who can create and convert chances.
The Manager: Bob Bradley is often criticised for holding back and being too conservative, earning the American many critics, but he definitely doesn't hold back when it comes to giving players chances; 87 different players have received a cap under Bradley's tenure. However, the American manager has a good record, having won 34 and only lost 6 while in charge.
Star Men: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)
The American striker, who spent time on loan at Everton earlier on in the season, is the Americans main source of goals. The current goalscoring record holder for the nation, with 42 goals to his name, is skillful and quick, and has great passing ability. Not only does he hold the record for goals for his country, but also assists, and the only worry for American fans is that he cannot carry the team throughout the whole tournament. This man is the USA's hopes of doing well in South Africa.
Carlos Bocanegra (Stade Rennes)
The ex-Fulham centre-back will also have a lot of pressure on him this summer. With fellow centre-back's Jay de Merit and Oguchi Onyewu out injured there'll be a lot of pressure on the tall captain. De Merit is expected to be fit by June 12th when the USA face England but his normal partner, AC Milan's Onyewu is unlikely to return after having knee surgery but may be involved. Bocanegra will have to produce his best in order to keep cleansheets.
manor15's Prediction
Second Round. The USA should have enough about them to see off Slovenia and Algeria in the group stages but don't think they'll be able to top England's efforts to top the group and consequently would probably face Germany in the second round, where work rate will not be enough as quality and talent come to the fore, something that the USA currently lack; a "football superpower" they are not, but they may start to make an impact.
