The team that America is sending to Germany for the World Cup is the most talented, the most experienced group ever to represent the United States. That said, it would be an upset if they made it out of the preliminary round thanks to our horrible luck in drawing 2 of the top 12 teams in the world as opponents in the first three games.
Ranked 5th in the tournament, Team USA boasts several players who have distinguished themselves on the international pitch as well as a couple of bona fide stars who have made a name for themselves in Europe. Coach Bruce Arena – the longest serving international coach in the competition – has also assembled a strong cast of supporting characters drawn largely from MLS (Major League Soccer) clubs here in the United States.
Gone are the days when the US team was composed mainly of naturalized citizens and college kids. America is now recognized as a legitimate soccer power in the world and the European club teams line up at the doors of our best players, hoping to sign them to contracts that rival those of any professional athlete in the United States.
And things are only going to get better. The jaw dropping skills of several of our younger players – some of whom didn’t make this year’s team – promises that the future of soccer in America is bright indeed and that the center of gravity of the sport may be shifting slowly from overseas toward the United States as far as the talent pool is concerned.
But for this team, the future is now. Featuring an offense with blazing speed and proven scorers, Team USA will be able to outrun almost any opponent they are likely to face. A solid, if unspectacular defense is anchored by one of the finest keepers in the world. And with a mixture of youth and experience, the chemistry of the team may help in overcoming a brutal draw that features games against the 2nd ranked Czechs and 11th ranked Italians as well as the relatively unknown team from Ghana.
In order to advance, America must be able to steal a win from either the Czechs or Italy and a tie with one of those two powerhouses. A win against 48th ranked Ghana should be a given but not much is known of them save their stellar midfielder Michael Essien who helped propel Chelsea to a Premiere League title.. A loss to any of these teams would more than likely finish the American’s chances.
The Americans will be sorely tried in their first match of the tournament against the Czechs who feature a punishing defense along with arguably one of the top 5 players in the world, midfielder Tomas Rosicky. It would have been worth the price of plane fare just to see Rosicky in action whose ball handling and passing skills are mind-boggling. But the Czechs are also limping a bit as they go into action with both their talented strikers nursing injuries and Rosicky himself recently suffering a slight thigh injury in the last 10 days. Even with some of their stars on the mend, the Czechs will give Team USA all they can handle and then some.
The Italians are a different kettle of fish altogether. Unpredictable, emotional, and prone to breakdowns on defense, the Italians nevertheless have to be taken seriously as a contender to take it all. Their high powered offense features a world class playmaker in Francesco Totti who plays for AC Milan AS Roma, one of the great European club teams and a potent pair of strikers in Alessandro Del Piero and Luca Toni.
I actually think that Team USA has a great chance to score a huge upset against the Italians. Even though America is ranked higher, against the better European teams, the USA gets absolutely no respect. It’s been a long time since the USA has beaten a great European side and the Italians are ripe for a fall. Not only are their fans the most rabid in all of Europe with a sports press that makes New York media look like pussycats, but a scandal involving their best league almost cost coach Marcello Lippi his job. Couple that with the usual angst over some talented players that were left off the roster for one reason or another and you have a team that may be in some turmoil as well as having to endure the enormous pressure of sky-high expectations. If the Americans can get a lead and hold it for awhile, we may see the Italians disintegrate (they’ve done it before).
Still, despite some very talented players, the US may be on the outside looking in when the tournament moves to the round of 16. Only two teams will advance from each of the 8 groups and most observers fully expect Italy and the Czechs to move on from Group E. That said, here’s an overview of the US side and their various strengths and weaknesses.
GOALKEEPER
The 1994 World Cup team where Tony Meola virtually carried the US squad against a powerhouse team from Columbia in the second round, giving the US it’s biggest World Cup victory in 50 years, proves how important a good keeper can be in advancing to the later rounds of the tournament. Fortunately for the US, Kasey Keller is every bit as good as Meola and at 36, has the experience so necessary when playing in such pressure packed games. Simply put, he is one of the finest goalkeepers on this or any other planet.
DEFENSE
Team USA boasts a rock solid defense anchored by “Steady Eddie” Pope and newcomer Oguchi Onyewu, a huge, intimidating presence on the backline. Some observers believe Onyewu will emerge as an international star in the tournament and he has the physical gifts to do it. At 6’4”, 205 pounds, the 24 year old is lightening fast and very good in the air, able to head out the dangerous crosses on set piece plays where much of the scoring in the tournament will originate. Also watch for the youngster to overlap on offense, streaking down the wings to get in on the play.
At halfback, the US features two more solid and experienced players in Eddie Lewis and Steve Cherundolo. Both have plenty of international experience and Lewis especially is capable of jumping into the play if necessary.
If there is a weakness to the team’s defense, it isn’t on the back line. Coach Arena may surprise us and start an additional defenseman with Pope and Onyewu against either the Czechs or Italy, especially if team Captain Claudio Reyna is unable to go due to injury. But as it stands, the USA backline will be one of its strong points.
MIDFIELD
Arena has an embarrassment of riches at midfield with 4 world class speedsters possessing superior offensive skills and two reserves almost equally as gifted. The aforementioned Reyna has been a star in Europe for several years while playmaker John O’Brien has made a name for himself in the MLS. Both players are deadly accurate passers, vitally necessary in these matches as the marking gets incredibly tight against the top teams. On the wings, we’re likely to see two fellows with eye popping speed. DaMarcus Beasley has some serious skills and will pressure defenses the entire game with his exciting runs down the right wing. On the left, Bobby Convey proved in the recent World Cup warm up games that he can blow by any defender on the planet.
Waiting in the wings are two more talented players in Pablo Mastroeni and Clint Dempsey. In fact, Arena may start one or both of those men in place of Beasley and/or Convey. Much will depend on what formation the US team will go with. If Arena decides to go with the extra midfielder or a slightly more defensive minded side, Mastroneni may get the nod over Convey. Then if the US falls behind, he can bring Bobby’s fresh legs to bear in the second half.
This is the strength of the US team: Tremendous speed with the endurance of youth to have defender’s tongues hanging out by the end of the match. But along with that speed comes a downside. Both Beasley and Convey need to elevate their defense. They have been known to run themselves out the play to the point that a good counterattacking side like the Czechs could race down the field in odd-man breaks. And against an experienced, talented team like the Czechs, that is just asking for trouble.
STRIKERS
Brian McBride and Landon Donovan will most likely see action up front, although Arena has been known to go with 5 midfielders in which case Landon will slip back to the midfield. The US has never had such talented strikers if you include the gifted but youthful Eddie Johnson in the mix as well as another speed demon, Brian Ching. That said, McBride, while spectacular in the air, is not known for being a good finisher. And Donovan usually does much better as a playmaker, roving the midfield looking for space and then driving on goal using his superior one-on-one skills to create chances.
This is a youthful, talented American side who will be tested as no other of our national teams been challenged in the opening round. And it doesn’t get any easier. If they win through to the round of 16, the all-world Brazilian team awaits them.
If it comes to that, a Brazil-USA match up would be the most important soccer game in the history of this country. And man, I just might fly to Germany to be able to tell my grandchildren that I saw it in person.
UPDATE: 6/5
UPDATE
Paul Mirengoff has a decidedly more sober and realistic look at Team USA than my rather amatuerish and enthusiastic take. He’s making a good case for a more conservative lineup against the Czechs playing what sounds more like a 4-5-1; a formation that Arena used against Mexico in Mexico City and which generated virtually no offense whatsoever.
That said, the US side didn’t have Reyna or O’Brien for that match which led to enormous difficulties in our offense trying to get through midfield with any kind of momentum. Coach Arena walked into that venue – one of the toughest in the world – hoping for the result. What he got was Mexico swarming all over the US for 90 minutes and a 2-0 loss.
Paul also points out that the Czechs are getting a little long in the tooth (especially in the back) and that the Italians sometimes have trouble in the big tourneys due to enormously high expecations. He still doesn’t give the US much chance getting out of Group E and reluctantly, I am forced to agree with him.
NOTE: Actually, Paul appears to be advocating a more traditional 4-4-2 with Donovan paired up front with McBride and Mastroeni playing on the shoulder of the back line rather than a true winger position. That may help slow down Rosicky a bit and give some support to Eddie Lewis who has the speed and toughness but not much experience at left half.
And by the way, for all of you who think that soccer is a wussy Euro-weenie sport…The motto of Team USA is “DON”T TREAD ON ME.”
Sound familiar?
4:30 pm
I have no passion for soccer, however I do appreciate the athletic skill, and the tactical forms of play. I just can’t watch the game, it has nothing for me to enjoy.
This is more about the nature of soccer in the international arena. What would happen to the appreciation of Soccer on a global scale if the US becomes the best team in global soccer? Would the non US West get bored with the game, and create a new form of competition that they are supreme in?
4:36 pm
Speaking of soccer, how sweet was our beating Venezuela last Friday?
6:49 pm
[...] from Right Wing Nut House The team that America is sending to Germany for the World Cup is the most talented, the most experienced group ever to represent the United States. That said, it would be an upset if they made it out of the preliminary round thanks to our horrible luck in drawing 2 of the top 12 teams in the world as opponents in the first three games. [...]
3:53 pm
I like O’Brien. He has cool hair (not to be flippant, I’m just saying). I was immediately drawn to him… but McBride is also very fun to watch.
5:10 pm
What’s with that World Cup logo? Freaky.
10:22 am
Jesus, you are a nutcase.
Czechs will beat you 3-1
You’ll be lucky to get a goal against Italy. It’ll be silly numbers, 4, 5-0
‘I actually think that Team USA has a great chance to score a huge upset against the Italians.’
Chortle.
10:26 am
It’s obvious you know nothing (or very little) of the American team. They may very well lose to both Italy and the Czechs. But I guarantee they will be competitive.
For you to think differently either shows you’re blowing smoke out of your ass or you’ve haven’t seen the American side play very much.
I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and simply accuse you of being ignorant.
9:21 pm
er… I’ve seen America play a fair few times. Remember you’re new-ish to the World Cup (1950, then nothing for 40 years…)
Calm down a bit, and realise that you can’t be good at everything.
You got a terrible draw – you’re unlucky on that. England got a steal of a draw. That’s life.
Thinking you’re going to have ‘a great chance to score a huge upset against the Italians.’ (your words) is not the same as ‘I guarantee they will be competitive.’ (your last words)
I wish you the best of luck – you’re going to need it. Very few of your starters are any good by world standards (Everton, Man City, Reading, PSV, Leeds) – OKish, but really – Italy? Czechs?
I still stand by my predictions – thrashed by Italy, slightly better against the Czechs, but you’ll still lose both games badly.
3:11 am
Unless he’s been traded recently, Totti doesn’t place for AC Milan, he plays for Roma.
As for the US being trashed by the Azzurri, if you don’t think much of the US soccer team, go ask the Mexicans (one of the eight seeded teams of the tournament) what they think of the US. Remember that we cleaned their clocks 2-0 at the last world cup and beat them on a regular basis. I predict that we will have our way with the Azzurri just because they don’t take the US seriously.
3:41 am
El:
My face is red!
You’re right of course – and no one caught it for 3 days!
Don’t know why I wrote AC Milan – I’ve saw Totti in the last few UEFA Cups and just associated him with Milan.
5:00 am
Not to be pedantic (okay, I’m pedantic). First of all, John O’Brien has played about 10 minutes in MLS. He only signed with Chivas USA this year and is chronically injured. He made his name playing for Ajax in Holland. He’s amazing when he’s fit which is almost never.
Paul Mirengoff at Powerline referred to McBride (as Kevin rather than Brian?) who in fact is our most consistant finisher which is why we’re in trouble. Brian is inconsistant thus we have no proven finishers.
Eddie Pope has lost a step and will struggle against world class strikers. He, not our make shift left back Eddie Lewis, is the true Achille’s Heel on defense.
Contra Steve Jones, we will not get spanked. While my heart says we take all 9 points and face Croatia in the Round of 16, intellectually the best we can hope for is a massive upset of the Czechs who are better but older/slower, and a knock down, drag out win versus Ghana for 6 points (we lose to Italy, 1-0). We finish second in the group then get knocked out by Brazil, 1-0.
Realistically, we probably draw the Czechs, lose to Italy, and draw Ghana, earning two points, and go home. We will not be humiliated but we will not progress.
I love the US team and support them wholeheartedly. It’s just an unlucky draw this year.
Steve, I hope England takes it all but I predict they’ll make the semifinals and finish third overall.
5:11 am
I thought Eddie played pretty well in qualifying games. But I see where Koller scored two goals in a warm up game last week – he seems to be pretty fit and if he is, will probably steamroll Eddie and make Onyewu look like the kid that he is.
Lewis may be a make shift left back but if Arena goes with 5 midfielders, he won’t be seen over the midfield line for the whole game (unless we get behind). He will do well in that formation I think.
7:19 am
Rick,
I probably have to come down closer to your point of view, than Paul’s.
As you both stated, it is a very tough Group. Yet, 5 pts (with goal difference) or 6 pts could/should win this Group. One can easily envision draws in the 3 games among Czech Republic, Italy and the US. That puts Ghana as the King maker. How each team does against Ghana may well tell the tale.
I have followed Bruce Arena since he was coaching at the Univ of Virginia, then DC United. One thing that the US team will have over most opponents is “team”. In this type of competition, where you have a collection of country All-Stars, “team” play can be just the advantage needed to move on. Also, “team” play is a hallmark of Bruce Arena’s coaching style.
While I find the FIFA rankings interesting, 3 of the top 5, Czech Republic, Holland and the US, were not even #1 seeds. What does that mean regarding the rankings? Who knows.
Now for a bit of rocket Science. For the US, the Czech game may be everything. A win or draw, bodes well for the US, a loss will be close to elimination. The layout of the games may work to the US advantage in that we at least theoretically, get the easiest opponent last. I like the fact that Bruce Arena has the time and ability to prepare most for the Czech Republic.
The Italy game should be a 1 goal affair. When Italy plays in World Cup or European Cup competitions, I bet correct score 0-0,1-0,0-1,1-1. Usually shows a tidy profit.
Prognostication Hat on: Czech-US = draw, Italy-US = draw, Ghana-US = win. This may be enough to win the Group, or at least go through to the Round of 16.
Italy 2-Ghana 0
Czech Republic 1 – USA 1
Czech Repubilc 4 – Ghana 1
Italy 1 – USA 1
Czech Republic 1- Italy 1
Ghana 1 – USA 3
Czech Republic, Italy and USA all on 5 pts, Czech Republic and USA go through on goal differential.
In a week and a few hours, we will have a pretty good understanding of how World Cup 2006 will turn out for the US.
10:51 am
We have one truly world-class player, Kasey Keller and a world-class coach. Claudio Reyna is fantastic, but more so when he’s surrounded by international stars, not by our tiny players.
We may still surprise some with the relatively new and ‘disrespectful’ Japan/Korea/US tactic of running like mad for ninety minutes, but I think size is our issue. In general we’re tiny. Frankie Hejduk would have been a starting fullback? We have far too many other sports that draw our top athletes.
And we’re bad at playing for ties- that’s just not an American tactic.
Good luck to us, here’s hoping for a Portugal repeat. That was thrilling!
3:13 pm
I’m a huge American soccer fan, but us regularly beating Mexico is not the same as beating quality European squads on European soil. Face it, we’re a regional power, like Mexico. El Tri may advance out of their ridiculously easy group, but I predict they go no farther than the round of 16.
We have a chance at advancing only if we can tie the Czechs and go through on goal differential. I hate to say it, but I think we’re gonna get beat pretty soundly by the Azzurri, although Keller will keep the score respectable.
The only way we can beat the Azzurri is by luck. If we get a couple quick goals in and hang on for dear life. Judging by the finishing skills of our strikers….we’re gonna need a lot of luck.
GO TEAM USA! Most people want us out of the tournament early, so let’s give ‘em hell!
(And go Oranje after Team USA loses!)
3:27 pm
Jo:
I am in reluctant agreement with you.
The Azzuri appear to be on the rise, beating Germany last week 4-1. One might be making too much of that since the Germans are still struggling to find the right combinations.
But Italy was without Totti and still scored 4 goals – pretty amazing. They haven’t lost in 16 matches.
I’m revising my hopes and pinning them on a win against the Czechs. That way, if we lose to Italy and beat Ghana, Italy would be able to handle the Czechs, sending is to the next round.
To face Brazil.
Yikes! Be careful what you wish for!
3:28 pm
I’ve watched and played soccer (properly: football) since I was five, in Africa. Not that that gives me any more authority on the subject than your average lemming, but much as I like and wish the US team all the best, I don’t see them beating any of the teams in that group. Yes, including Ghana. Sorry boys, you’re setting yourselves up for a severe disappointment.
10:31 pm
Worried about this draw…brings my conspiracy theories to the fore.
But I will say that the Italy game might be a closer affair than many might think because it is being played in Kaiserslautern. That’s as close to a home game that the US side can get and if anyone has any sense, the team will spend some good motivation time with the folks at Rammstein. A team properly motivated can do amazing things.
Miracle on Pitch ‘06
12:32 am
I will admit that the US may not seem to have much of a chance when placed against powerhouses such as the Czech and Azzurri, but games are not won by sheer skill alone. While Italy is fighting amongst themselves, looking past us to their match with the Czech, our team (a handfull of which have been playing together since they were 16) will hold the necessary ability to squeeze by with 3 pts. I do not see a win agaisnt the beast of a Czech team, but possibly a great performance by Keller could achieve 1 pt for the match. Finally, a team such as Ghana (only possesing Chelsea’s Essien as a threat) cannot stand up to our all-around strong squad. Ghana will lose all three matches, Italy will have one win, and Czech will come first in the group in a tie with US coming in second.
Maybe in our match with Brazil Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, and half of their squad will be having an off day.
Do you believe?
12:08 pm
To “wickedpinto”
(comment number 1)
What is your opinion of the world (the small speck outside the US of A ?!?) Do you think that it revolves around your country???
Your comment in the second paragraph is one of the most ridiculous and poorly thought-out opinions that I have ever read about sport. Not only that, your opinion reflects badly on America’s overall attitude towards the rest of the world.
Where did you get your idea from. Is it the way that the whole world used to play baseball, and then decided to turn their back on the game when the almighty America became supreme?? I don’t think so (America is one of only about 5 countries which have ever played the game seriously). And it is a similar story with other examples such as basketball and (American) football.
If America was ever to become any good at the game (known as “Football” to billions), the the rest of the world (the whole world – not just the “non-U.S. west”, e.g. Ghana etc.)would welcome the competition, and be happy that your ignorance has finally come to an end.
AR
London
wed 28 June 2006
6.05 pm, local time
9:02 am
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