USA at the World Cup

USA

Manager: Bob Bradley 

Captain: Carlos Bocanegra 

FIFA Ranking: 11 

World Cup appearances: 8 

Best World Cup: Third Place – 1930

Profile:

Despite the country being one of the largest populated in the world, the United States of America have never been a strong footballing side, or ’soccer’ as they like to call it back home. Other sports have often put soccer into the shade but, nevertheless, the soccer community in the USA is steadily growing and with this they are showing signs of improved talent and potential coming through the ranks. They’ve always been a difficult opponent but they have also lacked the quality in depth to really compete on a consistent basis but they will be an awkward team to face once again in the South African finals.

Key Player(s):

Landon Donovan -

We were tempted to call Landon Donovan a veteran as he does have so much experience but we mustn’t forget that the LA Galaxy forward is still just 27 years-old and still has every chance of reaching the following finals four years later. Donovan isn’t the biggest of players at just 5ft 7inc but his presence in the starting line-up brings about added enthusiasm from the rest of the squad as his work rate and ethic is second to none. He doesn’t allow the opposing defenders any time on the ball, he chases down nothing balls and he also tracks back to help out in defence whenever necessary. He will be USA’s biggest goal threat in the final third as he just seems to have a unique knack of getting into the right places at the right time, as well possessing the ability to create a chance out of nothing with his swift, intricate ball skills.

With 42 goals in 120 appearances for country, Landon Donovan is the most prolific striker the United States has ever had. He is the all-time leader in both goals and assists and will be the most-capped player in the US squad. Like we said above, Donovan brings vital experience to the fort as the squad is still fairly young in stature.

Tim Howard -

The Everton number 1 has been his country’s number 1 for some time now but he’s a long way behind catching Landon Donovan in the caps department. Howard has been capped 48 times for his country and he has made that goalkeeping berth his own since Brad Friedel’s retirement from International duty. He has just about everything you want in a goalkeeper. He is clam and collected when in possession, he commands the respect of all those in front of him on the pitch whilst his immense shop-stopping ability makes him one of the best goalies in the game.

Tim Howard’s finest performance to date came against Spain in the 2009 Confederations Cup. Howard pulled off a string of good saves to not only deny Spain several goals but also aid his side into the finals of the tournament, albeit losing against Brazil in the final after a valiant display. He was the first goalkeeper to keep Spain at bay for the full 90 minutes for over two years. He was deservedly awarded The Golden Glove for his performances on the whole throughout The Confederations Cup.

Strengths – Is undoubtedly their work rate. The players just seem to have bags of energy once the whistle goes for the start of the game and they often come sprinting out of the blocks. They rush the opponents into making rash mistakes, they don’t allow you any time on the ball and, most significantly, the are so well organised it’s beyond belief. Breaking them down will be the biggest obstacle any side will have to overcome if they want to beat Bob Bradley’s well oil machine that is – The United States of America.

Weakness – No strength in depth. If one of their key players, say Landon Donovan for instance, was to suffer an injury that would keep him out of the tournament or even a single game, then we wouldn’t be confident about his possible replacement. Their first team only consists of a few quality and influential players but were they be on the receiving end of an injury that would keep them out for a sustained period then Bob Bradley would have a selection dilemma. Bradley has tried recruiting some youngsters but they’ve yet to come good but South Africa is the stage where boys can become men.

Qualification:

Sector: North, Central America & Caribbean

Group: 1

Position: 1st

Win-Draw-Lose: 6-2-2

Goals Scored: 19

Goals Conceded: 13

Qualifying statistics:

•  The USA didn’t lose a single game on home soil, winning eight and drawing on just the one occasion.

   

•  Jozy Altidore finished the campaign as their Top Goalscorer with six goals in thirteen appearances. He was averaging nearly a goal every other game.

   

• Bob Bradley, the USA coach, used a total of 43 players throughout the course of the two year qualifying campaign, with several youngsters getting thrown into the mix for vital experience.

World Cup Potential: 2/5

The USA certainly have the potential to be a right nuisance on their day but they don’t have the ability of enough quality in their ranks to perform at the highest level on a consistent basis. They, along with South Africa, were the surprise package in the 2009 Confederation Cup when they not only knocked Spain, who were Number 1 in the World Rankings at the time, out of the competition, but they also pushed Brazil very close in the final, losing 3-2 after previously taking a 2-0 lead into the Half-Time break.

Not many of the bigger nations will want to draw USA in their group as they can be a handful but as far as winning the tournament goes, we don’t hold out much hope. However, we still think they could be decent Each-Way shots depending on the draw they get.

Current World Cup Odds (Outright): 100/1 SportingBet

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