For this U.S. soccer fan, the draw for the group stage put the Americans in prime position to advance to the knockout stages. While Algeria and Slovenia are no cake walks by any means, the U.S. should have a clear advantage over either side with their World Cup experience and deeper talent pool.
You read that correctly: the U.S. is the second deepest squad in their group. When was the last time you heard those words?
With the first game against an in form England squad that is overflowing with world class talent, the U.S. will face it's toughest test from the get-go. The question that all American soccer fans are asking is: who is going to step up big for our nation?
This American squad has a solid foundation of players who are capable of taking them to the quarterfinals or better. Here is an idea of which players could step big when late June comes around:
Landon Donovan- He is the face of American soccer, and he'll have the weight of his team and country to carry on his 5'7" frame throughout the entire tournament. After a poor showing in Germany 2006, he will be looking to show all his doubters that he is a world class talent.
With a late collapse against Brazil in last year's Confederations Cup Final and his bizarre missed penalty in last month's MLS Cup, Donovan will be hungrier than any other player on the squad. Expect him to have a hand in almost every American goal with his creative dribbling, timely passing, and deft strikes.
Clint Dempsey- The Texan has been on a tear for Fulham in the English Premiere League as of late, and expect that form to carry over to next summer.
Dempsey has been criticized for looking lost during long stretches of games for the U.S., but he always seems to find a way to score in the big moments. His goal against Egypt last summer is a prime example.
The U.S. squad has been very successful when he and Donovan are on the flanks, counter attacking opposing defenses. Don't expect this tactic to change. Dempsey is by far the most stylish player on this squad, with his flashy dribbling and knack for finishing crosses.
Don't be surprised if he's putting away late game winners next June and July.
Tim Howard- Following the tradition of world class American goalkeepers, Howard shows more passion on the field that few can match.
He is one of the top keepers in the world, and has a knack for making incredible saves in close games. It is hard to find a time when he has allowed a goal that was squarely his fault.
U.S. fans should feel safe with Howard in goal, and his knack for saving penalty kicks will be huge in a tournament where the majority of goals come from the spot.
Jozy Altidore- He will probably be one of the youngest starters for any team in the tournament, but you wouldn't know it by looking at him. The kid is huge, and although he has yet to score a Premiere League goal for Hull City, he has been showing fine form as of late.
He showed everyone last summer that he is going to be a force in coming years, with his goal against top ranked Spain showcasing the strength and skill that is rarely seen in an American player.
He is one of those players who seems to improve with every passing day, and he'll want to show the world how good he can be next summer when he goes up against a world class English defense led by one of the all-time great defenders, John Terry.
Expect him to have his way against lesser defenses in Slovenia and Algeria.
Other players to keep an eye on are Jonathan Spector at outside back, Benny Feilhaber at center midfield, and Stuart Holden as a substitute.
Spector has been logging good minutes over in Europe, and should have the right back position locked up.
Feilhaber has started to show the promise he displayed a few a years ago. His deft passing is needed whenever the U.S. takes a lead and more possession is needed.
Expect to see Holden come on when the U.S. needs scoring. The U.S. is a squad that has shown much success finishing crosses, and Holden's ability to put dangerous balls into the box from the outside flank will serve the squad well if they find themselves tied or a goal down.
This is a dangerous U.S. team that has earned the respect of the world's elite squads. With the amount of scouting that manager Bob Bradley puts into his game plans and tactics, the squad will be prepared and ready to put on a show that will be watched by the most American viewers in World Cup history.
U.S.A., all the way? Probably not, but can we entertain the thought?
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