The USA are heading to South Africa to appear in their ninth World Cup tournament – a competition they have only made to the quarter finals once before. With a 40-year absence from the world cup tournament, this will be the USA’s fifth consecutive appearance in the finals as they prove themself a nation to respect in the world of football.
The USA are heading to South Africa to appear in their ninth World Cup tournament – a competition they have only made to the quarter finals once before.
The faced little in the way of difficulties on their way to South Africa qualifying first in the North, Central America and Caribbean Zone. With convincing wins against solid sides such as Mexico and El Salvador, the USA certainly deserve their spot at the finals. With a true blend of experienced internationals and young up and comers, the American powerhouse will look to make waves as they face some of the big names in the World Game.
The USA have been drawn in Group C for the 2010 World Cup, where they will face the heavily backed English side, Slovenia and Algeria. While England are currently favourites to progress as the group winners, it seems as though Slovenia are the most likely to pose the biggest threat to the Americans, but if all goes according to the statistics, and they qualify second, the USA will face Germany in the next round – a tough ask of any side so early on in the tournament.
USA’s Group C Schedule
No. |
Date |
Match |
Location |
Kick-Off (Local) |
Kick-Off (AEST) |
| 7 | 12.06.10 | England V USA | Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenberg | 20.30 | 04.30 (13.06.10) |
| 21 | 18.06.10 | Slovenia V USA | Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg | 16.00 | 00.00 (19.06.10) |
| 40 | 23.06.10 | USA V Algeria | Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria | 16.00 | 00.00 (24.06.10) |
KEY PLAYERS:
CARLOS BOCANEGRA (CAPTAIN)
Born: 25.05.1979 in Upland, USA
Height: 1.83 metres
Position: Defender
Club: Stade Rennais, Ligue 1
International Debut: Vs South Korea (09.12.2001)
Carlos Bocanegra has been skipper of the USA since mid-2007, making the 2010 World Cup the first in which he has had the lead responsibilities. He has been one of the most consistent players for the USA since 2003, when he cemented his role in the defence during the Gold Cup. Bocanegra was part of the side which headed to Germany for the 2006 World Cup – and will come into the tournament confident in himself and his teammates that they defeated pre-World Cup favourites Spain, in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup semi final last year.
LANDON DONOVAN
Born: 04.03.1982 in Ontario, USA
Height: 1.73 metres
Position: Midfielder
Club: L.A. Galaxy, Major Soccer League
International Debut: Vs Mexico (25.10.2000)
Landon Donovan is an integral part of the USA international side, being the most capped player in the squad and claiming the title of all time leading goal scorer. After scoring in his debut for the USA’s senior side, Donovan has maintained his capacity as an integral cog in the team, and was named the Best Young Player at the 2002 World Cup. He heads to South Africa for his third consecutive appearance at a World Cup tournament, and will no doubt be one his teammates look to for passion and determination when the going gets tough.
CLINT DEMPSEY
Born: 09.03.1983 in Nacogdoches, USA
Height: 1.85 metres
Position: Midfielder
Club: Fulham FC, English Premier League
International Debut: Vs Jamaica (17.11.2004)
Clint Dempsey was the only player to score for the USA in the 2006 World Cup, and has been a vital player in the side for five years or so. The versatile attacking midfielder was named as Man of the Match in the ever-celebrated 2-0 win over Spain in last year’s FIFA Confederations Cup semi final, in which he scored, and followed it up with a goal in the final against Brazil. Dempsey was superb in the qualification process for the USA, finishing the campaign with five goals in 13 games – equal top scorer with Donovan.
USA SQUAD
Position |
Name |
| Coach | Bob BRADLEY |
| Goalkeepers | Marcus HAHNEMANN |
| Tim HOWARD | |
| Brad GUZAN | |
| Defenders | Carlos BOCANEGRA |
| Jonathan BORNSTEIN | |
| Steve CHERUNDOLO | |
| Jay DEMERIT | |
| Clarence GOODSON | |
| Oguchi ONYEWU | |
| Jonathan SPECTOR | |
| Midfielders | DaMarcus BEASLEY |
| Michael BRADLEY | |
| Ricardo CLARK | |
| Clint DEMPSEY | |
| Landon DONOVAN | |
| Maurice EDU | |
| Benny FEILHABER | |
| Stuart HOLDEN | |
| Francisco TORRES | |
| Forwards | Jozy ALTIDORE |
| Edson BUDDLE | |
| Robbie FINDLEY | |
| Herculez GOMEZ |
