Despite competing in a World Cup before the reputed inventors of the game, England, the USA would be classified as a relatively newcomer to the sport.
Football has never really caught on in the United States but certainly in the past decade or so, people are sitting up and starting to take notice.
Major League Soccer is beginning to attract quality players still in their prime and the local players are reaping the benefits as the national team has improved in leaps and bounds, especially in the past five years.
America is arguably a world leader (depending on who you ask) in many areas but the football pitch is not yet one of them, however, after a solid Confederations Cup performance last year and with the brilliant club form of players like Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard then 2010 could be a real coming of age for Team USA.
USA
Playing schedule: England (Rustenburg) June 12; Slovenia (Johannesburg) June 18; Algeria (Tshwane/Pretoria) June 23
Also known as: Team USA Manager: Bob Bradley (USA) Captain:Carlos BocanegraKey players:Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Tim HowardWildcards: Herculez Gomez, Edson Buddle Player to watch:Stuart HoldenMost caps: Cobi Jones (164). Of this squad:Landon Donovan (122) Top goalscorer:Landon Donovan (42) FIFA ranking: 14 Qualifying: Top of CONCACAF group stage. Appearance: 9th Best result: Third - 1930
USA squad
Goalkeepers
Brad Guzan (Aston Villa) Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers) Tim Howard (Everton)
Defenders
Carlos Bocanegra (Stade Rennais) Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA) Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96) Jay Demerit (Watford) Clarence Goodson (IK Start) Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan) Jonathan Spector (West Ham) DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers)
Midfielders
Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach) Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt) Clint Dempsey (Fulham) Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy) Maurice Edu (Rangers) Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus) Stuart Holden (Bolton) Jose Torres (Pachuca)
Forwards
Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy) Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake) Herculez Gomez (Pachuca) Jozy Altidore (Villarreal)
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