World Cup Preview - Group E - The United States

U.S.A.

Nickname: “Sam’s Army.”

Coach: Bruce Arena.

Game Schedule:
June 12 – U.S.A. vs. Czech Republic (12 p.m. EST)
June 17 – U.S.A. vs. Italy (3 p.m.)
June 22 – U.S.A. vs. Ghana (10 a.m.)

Prospects: The U.S. qualified second in the weakest confederation in FIFA. Ever since the draw was announced in December, which placed the U.S. in one of the toughest WC groups, the U.S. soccer media and establishment has been preparing fans for low expectations. This may be the only way for Bruce Arena to maintain his job after the competition. In any case, the spectacle of a network broadcast of a WC fixture with the giants of Italy may be about the best that Sam’s Army can expect out of this tournament. Certainly after last night’s dismal performance against Morocco, any faint hope of surviving the group stage is gone. Fans will continue to grumble about the exclusion of Taylor Twellman for Brian Ching, but – let’s be honest – neither player was likely to be in the starting line-up. And the first eleven is just not good enough to beat any of the teams in the group. The fate of the national side in WC finals has swung wildly back and forth from year to year. In 1990 – three and out; 1994 – a second round birth and exit to Brazil; 1998 – three and out; 2002 – Quarterfinal exit to Germany after several impressive performances. This year is likely to be a repeat of 90 and 98.

Big Media Story: Knowing ESPN/ABC TV’s propensity for “uplifting” feature pieces, they will track down Steve Cherundolo’s stepbrother in an Iraqi hospital.

Key Player: Unfortunately, Arena has always built his teams around the pedestrian Manchester City midfielder Claudio Reyna.
Fortunately, he may be crocked after doing his hamstring last night. In the absence of Claudio, Landon Donovan must step up as the team leader.

Youngster to watch: 23 year old New England midfielder Clint Dempsey; he hasn’t been on fire since his Rookie of the Year performance in 2004, but hopefully he’ll come good in Germany.

Who Will Get the Goals: The main striking threat is still the evergreen Fulham center forward Brian McBride.

Who Will Get the Cards: Thirty three year old veteran Eddie Pope – a bit long in the tooth for this kind of thing.
Funniest Name: Oguchi Onyewu.

Prediction: If the U.S. makes it out of this group, I’ll wear one of those hideously patriotic flag lapel pins as a nipple ring for the Round of Sixteen. Honestly, though, the best that can be hoped for is some kind of result against Ghana. And it could be much, much worse.

~Bob