Ladies and Gentlemen, I am slightly disappointed in you! No World Cup draw threads? Nothing on the vaunted US Men's National Soccer Team? Where's the love?
Today, the world tuned in to find out who will play who in this summer's World Cup. From South Africa, Charlize Theron pulled one by one, all 32 teams into their respective groups. It is one of the biggest moments in global sports, in 2006 300 million people tuned in. Today, we found out who will play who. The United States were selected second in Group C.
Other teams in Group C include England, Algeria, and Slovenia. Quickly I'll review their qualification.
EnglandAt this moment in time they are considered one of the top teams in the world. They qualified top of Group 6 with 27 points. Their manager, Fabio Capello, is considered one of the best in the world. Up front, Wayne Rooney scored 9 goals in the qualifying stages. They have one of the better known midfields anchored by Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. With that said, the two players do not gel together. The team does have holes, notably at Centerback and Goalkeeper. Hopefully, the United States can steal a draw here.
Algeria and Slovenia Both squads qualified on the final day in two legged playoffs. Algeria defeated Egypt, who the USA beat in last summer's Confederations Cup, and Slovenia shockingly knocked off Russia. The two squads should be beaten. Algeria is a fast-paced, hard working team while Slovenia had no qualms with "parking the bus" and attacking on the counter. While not dismissing them, the United States should defeat both to advance to the Round of 16.
Now I know you may not know alot about the Americans that play for our team. It is anchored by Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, and Landon Donovan.
Howard is widely considered one of the best keepers in the English Premiership. However, his team, Everton, have hit a poor run of form and are threatened to be relegated. Still, Howard had powered them to an FA Cup Final run last season and was in goal for the USA's Confed Cup final appearance as well.
Dempsey (Center Midfield) plays for London-based Fulham FC. In 07/08 on the final day of his first season, Dempsey scored the goal that kept Fulham in the Premiership. Since then, Dempsey has worked hard to secure a place in their first 11 and is one of the leading goal scoring midfielders in the league this season.
Landon Donovan's (Attacking Midfield) entire career has been a rollercoaster. You may recall him at WC 1998 as one of the future stars in the world. Since that time he has largely failed to live up to that billing. After stints in Germany, he returned home to play for the LA Galaxy. You may have heard of his spat with Beckham this summer. After single-handedly willing teh USMNT through the Confederations Cup, a book, "The Beckham Experiment," discussed how Beckham's arrival was laregly a failure. Donovan had some choice words for Beckham, namely that he wanted to be named Captain. The two worked it out and led the LA Galaxy to the MLS Finals. In those finals, Beckham, injured scored the first penalty kick after overtime. Donovan, with shades of Roberto Baggio, skied his into Row Z. Look for Donovan to rebound in Europe in January. He will likely head to Spain and from there kick on to help us advance in the World Cup.
However, these three are not the only members of the squad.
Jozy Altidore, (Striker), is merely 19 years old. He is billed as the future of American soccer. Never before has the squad seen a "true" athlete in the vein of Altidore. Jozy scored several goals, the best being the Semi-Final goal vs. Spain, in last summer's Confederation Cup. Since then, he's moved to Hull City in the EPL. In his first appearance he scored a goal and assisted another. Hull City had been in a terrible run of form and Jozy may well have saved his manager's job. Look for Altidore this summer.
Michael Bradley (Defensive Midfield) is currently playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the German Bundesliga. Bradley is coach Bob Bradley's son. Now I know what you may have remembered about coach's sons, but this one proves you wrong. Bradley is extremely hard working in midfield and even has decent goal scoring ability. At 22, Bradley is a bit of a hothead, he does have a penchant for being sent off with wild challenges. Look for Bradley's tenacious midfield play.
That said, the team has had tragedy strike recently.
Before the final game of the qualifying campaign, striker Charlie Davies was a passenger in a fatal car accident. Another passenger was killed and Davies suffered several broken bones. At first thought, Davies' career was in jeopardy. However, since then he has been given a 6-8 month timeline to recover. Davies, only 23, still has hopes for making the squad. That is probably unlikely.
During that game, Centerback Oguchi Onyewu of legendary Italian side AC Milan was also injured. Gooch tore several ligaments in his knee and is expected to rejoin AC Milan in March. Hopefully, by June he will be prepared for the World Cup. He will be integral to defending set pieces.
I know soccer is not widely loved in this country. However, this American side is made up of young kids who want nothing more to achieve their life long goals. They deserve your support. And doesn't it get tiring of watching Dream Teams annihilate everyone in the Olympics? It's fun to be on the underdog side everyonce in awhile. And who wouldn't like to repeat 1950, a shock upset of superstars England.
Over there, over there,
Send the word, send the word over there -
That the Yanks are coming,
The Yanks are coming,
The drums rum-tumming
Everywhere.
So prepare, say a prayer,
Send the word, send the word to beware.
We'll be over, we're coming over,
And we won't come back till it's over
Over there.
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