2010 World Cup Team Analysis: USA

This years World Cup has already had its share of adversity and controversy, but now that the sport has accepted South Africa as the venue, we can finally move forward. There are several teams taking the stage this year, and June will be almost full of matches designed to whittle down the competition. For the first time in years, Team USA is one team that many believe will be one of the 16 to get an invite to the dance. After nearly dominating their last tournament for a spot to compete in the World Cup, Bob Bradley's Team USA is finally being seen as a threat on the international level. Even with all the skill and raw talent on this team, it is going to be an uphill battle. Considering that England is the only real foreseen competition in Group C, it is almost a given that this years Stars and Stripes team will make it to the dance. Algeria and Slovenia may have something to say about that though. With England joining forces with them to try and knock this team out of contention, it may get a little dicey in June for our boys. USA, however, is known for adversity and winning uphill battles.

The US Soccer Team has gotten a bad rap in years past, primarily because the game is not as popular in this country. It is on the rise, however, but we are still looked down upon at the global level. For years, the US has been written off as a non-contender in the sport, but this year is a lot different. There are several pundits that put this Team USA as making it just as deep, if not deeper in the competition as the 2002 team and their quarter final run. Having done well in South Africa before (2009 FIFA Cup), this team can feel right at home here. It appears that everyone will be healthy for the tournament, and the Stars and Stripes will be able to dominate the field. The best thing that could happen in June is an upset of England. I see Bradley's team taking the 1C slot and England being pushed to the second spot. This could be a crushing blow to England and make the trek a little easier for Team USA. Making it to the top 16 would just be the beginning of the challenge though. This challenge is one that Team USA may be prepared for though. If ever the US had a team that was capable of going all the way, this one would be it. Never has a US team played such an intense game and had such a deep felt desire for the cup as Bradley's 2010 team.

This game, just like every other sport, is much more than numbers and favorites though. There is a definite human element to the game. Many people see England as going all the way and the US and Slovenia fighting for second. Many people have already handed England the group slot, and that is that. It is these people that need to be reminded of England's first tournament in 1950. Team USA was able to hand them a 1-0 upset loss that year to knock them out of contention. It was an unbelievable loss to a "rag tag and no talent scrub team" as many papers described them. Some British papers even thought it was a typo and printed a headline that England won 10-1. Team USA has been able to knock England down a notch or two in the past with a veritable rag tag bunch of scrubs. This year, the US is chock full of talent and skill. I see Bradley's team dishing out several upsets throughout the tourney.

With Landon Donovan making his third World Cup appearance, he is sure to step into the leadership role and take this team to the next level. The mixture of veteran players and talented youngsters is almost perfect for this team. Donovan, striker for the LA Galaxy, is a phenomenal player, but he always performs at his peak when he wears the Red, White, and Blue. He is at the top of his game and will definitely make a huge impact on the Cup tournament. The talent does not stop there though. Oguchi Onyewu has been given a clean bill of health and will return from his knee surgery in time for the Cup. He has been sidelined for most of the year with knee problems, but after getting it cleaned up and put back together, he is looking as awesome as ever. He hasn't played a full game yet, but there seems to be little doubt that he will back to his old self. This may be a much needed boost for Team USA as the competition gets a little thicker. Doing so well without him, they will only be better with him. Michael Bradley will also be a part of this team. There was a bit of scare with his broken nose recently, but al is well, and he is back. This midfielder is a truly heads up player with a strategic mindset when it comes to soccer. With Bradley controlling the midfield, USA will advance deep into this tournament. Jozy Altidore has also proven himself to be a contender at this level. His hat trick in the Hexagonal tourney was amazing. This young kid is loaded with talent and is sure to be the future face of the team. The way that Altidore and Landon work together is true artistry. This is one powerhouse threat that is sure to get some wins for Team USA. Freddy Adu, Tim Howard, DeMarcus Beasley, and Clint Dempsey are even more additions to this team's talent pool. A pool that is so large, I doubt Phelps could swim this thing.

The coach is no slouch either. Bob Bradley was given the job as an interim caretaker, but after going on a ten game win streak, he showed that he could take the reins on a more permanent basis. After being named the 2009 coach of the year, he is still heading up the US team, and he is doing an awesome job at it. Not only is he a soccer genius, but he clicks with the team and is a great leader. This Stars and Stripes team is just an extension of him on the field. The way everything meshes and flows, the players performing better with each other, and the constant flow of the game make Bradley like one of the world's greatest conductors out there making something beautiful.

All of these things are coming together to make for one of the greatest teams in the history of our great nation. This US team is one of the greatest to take the field and could make a huge impression at the World Cup tournament this year. I see them trouncing England to take the Group C top spot and making it at least to the quarter finals. Team USA may even bring home our first World Cup this year. That may be a bold prediction, but of any of the prior teams we have fielded, this one stands the best chance.

Sources:

FIFA.com Team Profile - USA

U.S. Men - U.S. Soccer