Team profile: USA
The USA’s progression can be seen by the fact that in previous tournaments they were seen to make up the numbers, while now progression to the knock out stages is expected. A far from generous draw makes that goal a tricky one, but after they stunned the world in 2002 nothing can be dismissed.
FIFA Ranking: 5
Coach: Bruce Arena
Key players: Brian McBride, Claudio Reyna, DaMarcus Beasley
World Cup record: Eighth appearance
Best finish: Semifinals 1930
Last appearance: Quarterfinals 2002
Qualifying route: Won CONCACAF’s final group
Key question: Can the Americans silence their critics and win in Europe?
Squad:
| Goalkeepers | # |
| Tim Howard | 1 |
| Kasey Keller | 18 |
| Marcus Hahnemann | 19 |
| Defenders | |
| Chris Albright | 2 |
| Carlos Bocanegra | 3 |
| Pablo Mastroeni | 4 |
| Steve Cherundolo | 6 |
| Eddie Lewis | 7 |
| Gregg Berhalter | 12 |
| Jimmy Conrad | 13 |
| Oguchi Onyewu | 22 |
| Eddie Pope | 23 |
| Midfielders | |
| John O’Brien | 5 |
| Clint Dempsey | 6 |
| Claudio Reyna | 10 |
| Ben Olsen | 14 |
| Bobby Convey | 15 |
| DaMarcus Beasley | 17 |
| Landon Donovan | 21 |
| Forwards | |
| Eddie Johnson | 9 |
| Brian Ching | 11 |
| Josh Wolff | 16 |
| Brian McBride | 20 |
Group matches:
v Czech Republic, 16:00 GMT, Monday 12th June – Gelsenkirchen
v Italy, 19:00 GMT, Saturday 17th June – Kaiserslautern
v Ghana, 14:00 GMT, Thursday 22nd June – Nuremburg