England, Slovenia, and Algeria should be sitting up a little straighter today because the United States has now qualified for the World Cup finals, beating out the recently defeated Mexico and World Cup victors Italy. 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 is America’s superstar. The often outspoken winger is an abrasive character and has already had run ins with David Beckham during the latter’s time at LA Galaxy. Despite Donovan’s ill behavior, his talent is undeniable, and he is the best player wearing the USA home jersey. Intelligent in his use of the ball, surprisingly quick, excellent technique and an ability to score goals and create chances against the best defences, if the American team is to progress far into the tournament then Donovan is sure to be at the hub of their best play.
Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan) 54 caps 5 goals
Injury put a premature end to Onyewu’s first season in Serie A with Milan after seven successful seasons in Belgian football with Metz, La Louviere and most notably of all, Standard Liege. 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
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has not only become the best American goalkeeper that manager Bob Bradley can call upon, but he has also emerged over the past three years as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. After an uninspiring spell with Manchester United, Howard moved to Everton, initially on loan, in May 2006 and such was his impact that Everton made the signing permanent in 2007. 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
Fulham loves Dempsey for his performance in the 2009-2010 season, a season which included Dempsey’s amazing chipped winner that took the team into a promising run at the Europa League semi-finals. A clever striker or winger, Dempsey has the happy knack of being able to score crucial goals at crucial times, both for his club and his country. 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