This past Friday, the 2010 World Cup draw took place in South Africa, setting the stage for sports' greatest spectacle. And given the United States' relatively easy draw, they should be a part of the festivities for a while, even if its team is not a top contender to make it to the final.
The U.S. national team looks ready for a run into the single-elimination stages after being drawn into Group C with England, Slovenia and Algeria. The Yanks will open their tournament run against England in Rustenberg.
In the June 12 matchup between the two English-speaking squads, the United States will have to rely on its solid back line to help keep Wayne Rooney and the dangerous English offense at bay. The team will also be counting on star goalkeeper Tim Howard, who plays during the year with Everton in the English Premier League and who must be at the top of his game if the United States is going to make a deep run in the tournament.
Beyond that, the U.S. squad will look for significant production from its offensive stars, Landon Donovan and Jozy Altidore. In midfield, the team will depend on on the creative influence of Fulham's Clint Dempsey to help on attack.
Taking on England, however, will be no easy task. The team is back to its usual formidable self after a massive turnaround under former Real Madrid and Juventus manager Fabio Capello following its inability to qualify for the 2008 European Championships. Capello led a dominating qualifying and has been buoyed by the impressive performance of Manchester United striker Rooney, who led the team with nine goals in qualification.
England also has a powerful midfield with Liverpool superstar Steven Gerrard pressing up from the center of the pitch, joined by Chelsea star Frank Lampard. The defense will be anchored by captain and Chelsea stalwart John Terry, as well as Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand.
The United States will probably have less trouble with its two other opponents: Algeria and Slovenia. Both were shock qualifiers to the tournament; Algeria defeated the two-time reigning African champions Egypt 1-0 in a sudden-death qualification game, while Slovenia staged a massive comeback against a talented Russian side to earn its spot in South Africa.
The Algerians are led by VFL Wolfsburg playmaker Karim Ziani and Glasgow Rangers center half Madjid Bougherra. The Slovenians are perhaps the most unknown team in the group but are an organized side led by a capable manager in Matjaz Kek. The U.S. team will be wary of the threat the Slovenians pose, especially up front with forward Milivoje Novakovic of FC Köln, who has continually ranked in the top 10 in goals in Germany's top flight. Nonetheless, the United States should be able to dispatch Slovenia without too much issue and overall should be satisfied with its draw, as England is the only team that could pose a serious challenge.
Despite its rather easy group, the United States is still not likely to make a serious run for the World Cup Trophy. Perennial favorite Brazil has a better team, but will have a tough test after being placed in the Group G, the "group of death," with powerhouses Portugal and Ivory Coast, as well as minnows North Korea.
Many pundits believe that if there is to be an African team that can contend for the trophy on its home continent, it will be Ivory Coast. Boasting a team stacked with European-based talent like Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure and his brother, defender Kolo Toure of Manchester City, the Ivorians will be looking to challenge Brazil and Portugal in the race for the knockout stages.
Portugal had a poor qualifying campaign, needing a playoff win over Bosnia and Herzegovina to book its ticket to South Africa, while Brazil unsurprisingly qualified at the top of the South American standings. Group D, with Germany, Australia, Serbia and Ghana, also looks to be a highly competitive one.
The Germans, third-place winners from the previous World Cup on its home soil, will field another strong side led by captain and Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack. Chelsea teammate Michael Essien will guide a tough Ghanian side, while Serbia, known for its physical play and stout defense, will be fronted by Manchester United center back Nemanja Vidic. The Australians, boosted by Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, did well in Germany in 2006 and round out another strong group in the tournament.
Reigning world champions Italy look to have an easy route to the knock out stages, while Argentina also looks set for a long run with a relatively easy draw despite struggles in qualifying. Other usual contenders, the Netherlands and the top-ranked team in the world, Spain, will look to easily advance out of the group stages.
With so many teams in the hunt at World Cup, anyone could emerge as the new world champion come July.
