The United States qualified for the World Cup Finals ahead of Mexico and given the Mexican’s recent form, which includes an unfortunate defeat to England as well as a victory over World Cup winners Italy, that fact alone should put England, Slovenia and Algeria on high alert. The US team, headed up by Bob Bradley, has not advanced past the first phase of the finals since 2002, but could this year with the help of very important players.
Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy) 123 caps 42 goals
Donovan must be considered as America’s primary weapon in the finals. The often outspoken winger is an abrasive character and has already had run ins with David Beckham during the latter’s time at LA Galaxy. Donovan isn’t winning any awards for sportsmanship, but he is the most talented player in the USA 2010 soccer jersey. Intelligent in his use of the ball, surprisingly quick, excellent technique and an ability to score goals and create chances against the best defences, if the American team is to progress far into the tournament then Donovan is sure to be at the hub of their best play.
Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan) 54 caps 5 goals
After being injured in his first season of playing in serie A with Milan’s team, fans were disappointed that after a successful seven seasons football in Belgium with Metz, La Louviere, and Standard Liege, Onyewu was not able to play. Oneyewu, the tall, strong defender that is making other teams take notice of the US national team, first signed with Milan last July, with high hopes after winning two titles for Standard in the Belgian league. Although Onyewu’s injuries allowed him to play in only one game for Milan in Serie A, the United States has hopes that he will become an invaluable asset in the defensive line at the World Cup finals.
Tim Howard (Everton) 51 caps 0 goals
Bob Bradley has had much to celebrate as Tim Howard gained notoriety as one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League. Athough Howard initially failed to make a strong impression at Manchester United, he soon achieved success in his loaned stint as Everton in May 2006, so much so that Everton signed him on permanently in 2007. Once Howard found his niche, he keep making bounds in goalkeeping, earning the South African Confederations Cup tournament’s best goalkeeper award in 2009, surpassing Brazil’s Julio Cesar, Spain’s Iker Casillas, and Italy’s Gigi Buffon.
Clint Dempsey (Fulham) 62 caps 18 goals
Fulham loves Dempsey for his performance in the 2009-2010 season, a season which included Dempsey’s amazing chipped winner that took the team into a promising run at the Europa League semi-finals. Because Dempsey is both a cunning striker and winger, he has a propensity towards scoring goals when the game is on the line. Dempsey and Donovan work as an excellent team, perfectly complementing one another on opposite sides, and the pair is sure to provide the inexperienced attacks from the US prospects for a win in group games.
