The United States is becoming a threat in the World Cup finals after trumping the recently defeated Mexico and the Italian World Cup winners, a fact that should serve as a warning to Algeria, Slovenia, and England. Bob Bradley’s team are hopeful of progressing beyond the first phase of the competition for the first time since 2002 and to do so, they are going to have to rely on the performances of some key players.
Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy) 123 caps 42 goals
Donovan is America’s superstar. The United State’s rough winger is known for not holding back and for picking fights with David Beckham while the two played for the LA galaxy. However, despite that, Donovan is the best player in 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
Oneyewu was devastatingly injured in his first Serie A season, dashing the hope of the fans that had followed his successful seven season career in Belgian football. Oneyewu, the bigwig defender of the US national team, signed for Milan’s team in July of last year after working with Standard to win the Belgian league title twice. Although Onyewu’s injuries allowed him to play in only one game for Milan in Serie A, the United States has hopes that he will become an invaluable asset in the defensive line at the World Cup finals.
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. Athough Howard initially failed to make a strong impression at Manchester United, he soon achieved success in his loaned stint as Everton in May 2006, so much so that Everton signed him on permanently 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
Dempsey and Fulham enjoyed a memorable 2009-2010 season, the highlight being Dempsey’s incredible chipped winner that took Fulham into the Europa League semi final ahead 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.
