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. For the first time in 8 years, Bob Bradley’s team stands a chance to move on past the first phase of the World Cup finals. However, if they wish to succeed, the US will to have to lean heavily on the performance of their best players.
Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy) 123 caps 42 goals
Donovan must be considered as America’s primary weapon in the finals. The boisterous winger, known for being outspoken, has already engaged in conflicts with David Beckham while Beckham played at LA Galaxy. Donovan isn’t winning any awards for sportsmanship, but he is the most talented player in the USA soccer jersey. The way that Donovan’s trademark technique, speed, and ability to control the ball with ease to score goals will make him a key player for the United States.
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. The tall defender, who has become the kingpin of the United States national team defence in recent times, signed for Milan in July 2009 after winning the Belgian league title with Standard for two years in a row. The US defensive line has high hopes that, even though Onyewu only made one appearance in Serie A for Milan, he will rise above his conflicts to achieve great success in the World Cup finals this summer.
Tim Howard (Everton) 51 caps 0 goals
Tim Howard, Bob Bradley’s star goalkeeper, has come into his own over the past three years, achieving a reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the entire Premier League. After an unimpressive time spent with Manchester United, Howard found his place at Everton during a loan period beginning in May 2006 and eventually signed on for a permanent spot on the team. Howard has not looked back since, being constantly named as one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers and even earning the best goalkeeper award in the 2009 Confederations Cup tournament in South Africa, beating Italy’s Gigi Buffon, Spain’s Iker Casillas and Brazil’s Julio Cesar to the award.
Clint Dempsey (Fulham) 62 caps 18 goals
Both Dempsey and Fulham rejoiced after a radiant 2009-2010 season, that included Dempsey’s extraordinary chipped winner that resulted in a ride into the Europa League semi-final in the lead of Juventus. Dempsey makes his club and his country proud as a striker or winger, scoring essential goals at crucial moments in a game. 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.
Tags: soccer, usa soccer, usa soccer team