There has been growing expectation in the US over the last decade for the nation’s football team. After qualifying for Brazil there was excitement that a breakthrough tournament could be on the cards. However, the possibilities of “the Yanks“ appear gloomy being placed in the group of death. The team do not possess the quality and experience to defeat Germany or Portugal. Even Ghana may prove a difficult team for them to handle. They have to be contending with the tag of underdogs and turn to their historic virtues and belief. Who can forget how an USA team overturned England in 1950, one of the most talked about upsets in world cup history.
“The Yanks” face a monumental challenge on improving upon 2010’s round of 16 elimination. Placed in what many are calling this year’s ‘Group of Death’, Jurgen Klinsmann’s side will need to get past one or even both of European powers Portugal and Germany, while Ghana make up the final group spot. Supposedly the weakest side of the four, it was the Africans who knocked the USA out back in 2010. But impressive victories over Italy and Germany since 2012, a record 12 match winning run in 2013 and securing qualification with two games to spare shows that the USA will be no pushovers come the summer.
Their main hopes will be pinned upon the experience of Clint Dempsey and the solid partnership of Jermaine Jones and Michael Bradley in the middle of the park, while Tim Howard will do his best to keep out the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Thomas Muller.
Klinsmann, describing their group as “the worst of the worst”, does not inspire much confidence in his side’s chances, and to compound the difficulty that lies ahead, the vital match against Portugal will be played in the stifling humidity of Manaus, conditions that will prove just as much of a challenge as the opposition.
USA Squad
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake).
Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nuremberg), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders).
Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City).
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes).
Goal keeping has been the most stable position in the US squad throughout qualifying. Howard, Everton's No 1, is still the clear choice to start in Brazil. He will have to perform well for the US to get out of a tough group, but he's shown his capabilities in tough environments for club and country.
The back four is a place of constant discussion among American followers. Converted midfielders Beasley and Evans played the majority of minutes at full-back in qualifying, but neither is an ideal solution against the dangerous attacks the US's opponents should create. Besler and González will likely start in the middle, but their partners could fluctuate depending on Klinsmann's goals for the game. Despite taking a leave of absence that put him out of the national team picture for a few months, a US squad without Donovan is unthinkable. He still provides some of the highest-level experience and soccer intelligence in the players pool.
Bradley and Dempsey have enjoyed spectacular MLS seasons to this point, with Dempsey scoring seven goals in four April matches. Bradley is nursing a nerve issue in his foot that required a minor operation, but his recovery time should be minimal.
The most intriguing name on this list is Green, the 18-year-old Bayern Munich winger who can also play up top. Part of the reason the Florida native decided to spurn Germany in favor of the US was the possibility to make a world cup squad at a young age. It's hard to imagine him making such a choice if he didn't believe he would be there. Altidore's season at Sunderland has been rough, landing him in the reserves recently to give him more playing time. Meanwhile, Jóhannsson, Boyd and Wondolowski are all scoring frequently for their clubs.
Player to Watch
Highly talented midfielder who provoked quite a stir in his homeland back in January following his return to the MLS, leaving Serie A side A.S. Roma to join Toronto. Bradley can certainly be labeled a journeyman, following spells in Holland, England and Italy, but it will be hoped that he finds a long term home and shines in the MLS, despite the fact that he could clearly be playing in a far tougher league.
He played every minute of the USA’s 2010 campaign, and is an energetic, committed midfield general who has shown throughout his career that he does possess an eye for goal.
The partnership he has formed with combative teammate Jermaine Jones will be crucial for Klinsmann’s side if they are to have any chance of progressing from their nightmare group. If they were to make it into the last 16, it may well be that top European sides begin to consider a move for Bradley once more.
Prediction
Many have already written off USA as first round causalities. But that may turn up a huge mistake. This tournament is going to have a same look of 2002 world cup when USA was considered a rank outsider in a group which included Portugal, Co-host South Korea and Poland. USA surprised pundits by advancing from the group.
Perhaps the first match of USA against Ghana will set the tone. USA lost to Ghana in consecutive world cups. This time USA will have the thoughts of revenge in the mind. If Americans can get three points out of the meet they will believe to move up.
BDST: 0945 HRS, JUN 06, 2014
