USA

The USA currently possess possibly their finest ever football team. A combination of good team organisation, commitment to a style of play and a sprinkling of quality players have improved the team immeasurably in the last four years.  

The semi final finish of 1930 may finally be equalled as the US strive to go one step further than in 2002, when they reached the quarters, only to unluckily lose to Germany by a single goal. For such an achievement to be accomplished, performances reminiscent of last years Confederations Cup semi final against Spain will be required from the off.

In South Africa last June, USA lost their first two games to Brazil and Italy before beating Egypt to squeeze through on goal difference. Permutations may not be so generous this time if they were to lose two games.

Since then, qualification was achieved with east from North America as they topped the final qualifying group ahead of Mexico. A depleted American team failed to retain the Gold Cup last August, however, going down 4-0 to the Mexicans on home soil.

SCHEDULE- Group C

England      June 12th- Rustenburg

Slovenia     June 18th- Johannesburg

Algeria       June 23rd- Pretoria

Thankfully for the US, they have not been placed in a group of death, as they were in 2006 when paired with Italy, Ghana and Czech Republic. They collected only one point from the three games, in what was a poor showing, but more is expected this year.

Qualification from the group should be the minimum of expectations, having been handed a group that they would have dreamed of in December prior to the draw. They will hope to catch England cold as their 1950 incarnation did in Brazil. That year, an amateur American team beat an arrogant English team 1-0.   

Anything achieved in that game will be a bonus but wins will be expected against Slovenia and Algeria. Last years 3-0 win over Egypt will give the team confidence against Algeria but Slovenia are a new proposition that will need to be carefully evaluated. Ideal preparation against the Czechs awaits on May 29th.

KEY PLAYERS

Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan will be the most important players in the American team this summer. Both are creative midfield players and have an eye for goal but more importantly for their coach, Bob Bradley, they work hard for the team. The will press the opposition's defence and midfield to get the ball back all day long. 

Donovan is still only 28 but has played 121 time for his country and this will be his third world cup. He has recorded 42 goals for America and is already their top scorer of all time. Dempsey's goal scoring record is also impressive, having scored 17 from midfield. Both have performed excellently in England this season and Dempsey will be particularly fresh having missed a chunk of the season through injury.

Goalkeeping has become something of an art form in America over the past twenty years. Tony Meola, Brad Friedel and Kasey Keller have been replaced by a new generation including Tim Howard, Brad Guzan and Marcus Hahnemann. All three would be fitting of the number one shirt but Howard will be the man between the sticks come June 12th in Rustenburg. Such strenght in such an important department is invaluable. 

AC Milan's Oguchi Onyewu is expected back from injury on time to take his place in the starting line up. The former Standard Liege defender hasn't featured in Italy since the start of the season but he has been a rock at the back for the States when fit. His presence will be vital if they are to achieve results because beyond him is a rag tag bunch of journeymen, lead by captain Carlos Bocanegra of Rennes in France.

ONE TO WATCH- Jozy Altidore

The big striker may not have been a hit in Hull but he occasionally performed impressively, using his pace and strenght to good effect. The Villarreal owned player has scored 8 times in 24 internationals and he will be needed to score a few more this summer.

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

A perfect outcome for USA would be a semi final place, and surely that is their target in South Africa. A quarter final however, would be a job well done and a step in the right direction after a poor showing last time out. A good run will be important to the development of the game in the US and will aid them for future tournaments. Considering the potential opposition from Group D, it will be tough but they are good enough to advance from the second round.

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

Another group stage exit will leave them in the wilderness for another four years. They have an ideal group with the weakest African nation and potentially the poorest European representatives so failure to qualify will be a disaster.
PREDICTION

Second place in the group should be the least they can achieve and England will be given a scare in the first game. The absence of Michael Ballack from the Germany squad means any one of the four teams from the group of death could be playing them in the second round, in a game they can potentially win, although it will be tough.