Key players
Is this the tournament where Landon Donovan finally comes of age? After an MVP-caliber season in MLS and a sharp, gritty loan spell with Everton, his form seems to be peaking just in time. But Donovan, trying to banish the ghosts of a disappointing 2006 World Cup, will carry more responsibility than ever before. Coach Bob Bradley will be counting on the 28-year-old midfielder to provide much of the leadership on the field for what could be the United States' youngest World Cup squad since 1994.
The team will also be relying heavily on the creative verve of Clint Dempsey to get service to Jozy Altidore, and even toss in a couple goals of his own. The past year has seen the Fulham man come into his own as a creative midfielder, steeled by his time in the Premier League. Since starring at the Confederations Cup last summer, he scored nine times for Fulham and was a vital contributor on the Cottagers' way to the Europa League final.
As the world saw in the Confederations Cup, an in-form Tim Howard between the posts can make all the difference. A world-class shot-stopper with real presence in the penalty area, Howard at his best can soak up a lot of pressure - just ask Spain, who experienced it firshand last summer in South Africa.
Landon Donovan is in the form of his life and determined to redeem himself after a poor performance in the 2006 World Cup.
What to watch for
When the United States toppled England in the 1950 World Cup, it went down as one of the greatest upsets of all time. If it can repeat the feat on June 12 in Rustenburg, it won't be quite so earth-shattering. Expectations have grown for this American squad, thanks in no small part to last summer's Confederations Cup run, and so has the pressure on coach Bradley to deliver more of the same.
But he is faced with uncertainty all over the lineup. There is still no clear candidate to partner Altidore up front and injuries have left the team rusty at the back. Carlos Bocanegra underwent hernia surgery in early May, Oguchi Onyewu has not played a meaningful game since Oct. 14 -- when he ruptured a tendon in his left knee -- and Jay DeMerit is still struggling with an abdominal strain.
Still, they're going to have a lot of work on their hands if the U.S. takes the counterattacking approach they tend to use against the better sides. As for teams such as Algeria that seem weaker on paper it will be interesting to see if the U.S. is organized enough to jump on top early and keep possession for long stretches, something it has not always been capable of in recent World Cup campaigns. Whatever the case may be, expect Donovan and Dempsey to be in charge of directing traffic.
Key match in group stage:
It would be easy to pick out England as the United States' key match, if only because it is the biggest test. Except that game probably won't make or break the Americans' chances of surviving Group C. Since its last game is against Algeria, the group's weakest team, the U.S. hopes will hang on the game against Slovenia, a side that could deliver a surprise. And the reward for finishing second in the group? A possible second-round tie with Germany.
Sports Illustrated
Is this the tournament where Landon Donovan finally comes of age? After an MVP-caliber season in MLS and a sharp, gritty loan spell with Everton, his form seems to be peaking just in time. But Donovan, trying to banish the ghosts of a disappointing 2006 World Cup, will carry more responsibility than ever before. Coach Bob Bradley will be counting on the 28-year-old midfielder to provide much of the leadership on the field for what could be the United States' youngest World Cup squad since 1994.
The team will also be relying heavily on the creative verve of Clint Dempsey to get service to Jozy Altidore, and even toss in a couple goals of his own. The past year has seen the Fulham man come into his own as a creative midfielder, steeled by his time in the Premier League. Since starring at the Confederations Cup last summer, he scored nine times for Fulham and was a vital contributor on the Cottagers' way to the Europa League final.
As the world saw in the Confederations Cup, an in-form Tim Howard between the posts can make all the difference. A world-class shot-stopper with real presence in the penalty area, Howard at his best can soak up a lot of pressure - just ask Spain, who experienced it firshand last summer in South Africa.
Landon Donovan is in the form of his life and determined to redeem himself after a poor performance in the 2006 World Cup.
What to watch for
When the United States toppled England in the 1950 World Cup, it went down as one of the greatest upsets of all time. If it can repeat the feat on June 12 in Rustenburg, it won't be quite so earth-shattering. Expectations have grown for this American squad, thanks in no small part to last summer's Confederations Cup run, and so has the pressure on coach Bradley to deliver more of the same.
But he is faced with uncertainty all over the lineup. There is still no clear candidate to partner Altidore up front and injuries have left the team rusty at the back. Carlos Bocanegra underwent hernia surgery in early May, Oguchi Onyewu has not played a meaningful game since Oct. 14 -- when he ruptured a tendon in his left knee -- and Jay DeMerit is still struggling with an abdominal strain.
Still, they're going to have a lot of work on their hands if the U.S. takes the counterattacking approach they tend to use against the better sides. As for teams such as Algeria that seem weaker on paper it will be interesting to see if the U.S. is organized enough to jump on top early and keep possession for long stretches, something it has not always been capable of in recent World Cup campaigns. Whatever the case may be, expect Donovan and Dempsey to be in charge of directing traffic.
Key match in group stage:
It would be easy to pick out England as the United States' key match, if only because it is the biggest test. Except that game probably won't make or break the Americans' chances of surviving Group C. Since its last game is against Algeria, the group's weakest team, the U.S. hopes will hang on the game against Slovenia, a side that could deliver a surprise. And the reward for finishing second in the group? A possible second-round tie with Germany.
Sports Illustrated
