Expert Blogs

It is a good time to be a fan of American international soccer. According to U.S. head coach Bob Bradley, 2009 has been an 'excellent year." With the 2010 FIFA World Cup drawing closer by the day it is difficult to argue with his opinion.

His team qualified for South Africa with a game to spare, shocked Spain en route to a runners-up spot at the Confederations Cup, and even his second string was good enough to reach the Gold Cup final before it all went horribly wrong against Mexico.

No longer a minnow

Team U.S.A. is no longer a World Cup minnow but neither is it a global heavyweight. The Americans have qualified for every edition since 1990 but, with the exception of 2002 when they advanced the quarter-finals, their presence has been fleeting and unimpressive.

Bradley has slowly but surely rebuilt the team he inherited from Bruce Arena four years ago after a miserable campaign in Germany. 2006 U.S. veterans who can expect to be in South Africa are few and far between. The old guard has been pensioned off to be replaced by fresh young talent.

The likes of Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan and Carlos Bocanegra are still going strong while Tim Howard has developed into a top class goalkeeper despite playing second fiddle to Kasey Keller during the last World Cup. This time round the Everton 'keeper will be the undisputed No. 1.

His performances alone kept the U.S. alive at the World Cup dress rehearsal back in June. A glance at the match stats suggests the Americans were battered first by Spain, then by Brazil in the final. Howard's heroics against top notch opposition should be cause for optimism. The fact he was so busy should not.

The very experience of playing and, one could argue, over achieving in South Africa 12 months before the rest of the world gets there should benefit Team U.S.A. Bradley proved he has an organised, committed group of players who managed to reach the final after a dreadful start.

Davies injury a big blow

Unfortunately, at least one of his star performers is unlikely to be ready for the real thing. Striker Charlie Davies is almost certain to miss the World Cup following serious injuries sustained in a car accident while giant central defender Oguchi Onyewu is facing months of rehab from a torn knee tendon.

Jozy Altidore, the Americans' top scorer in 2009 who's beginning to get some regular playing time for Hull City in the English Premier League, has time to hone his skills against first rate defenders over the winter as long he starts scoring for the Tigers. Bradley clearly rates the kid who reminds me of a young Emile Heskey - powerful and willing if not the most elegant striker soccer has ever produced.

Donovan, recently voted Major League Soccer's MVP, has had to endure more than his fair share of criticism but he's a highly effective operator either as goal scorer or creator. He'll never be regarded as a world class striker but his work ethic and positive attitude are an example to all aspiring youngsters.

Bradley's major hurdle appears to be a lack of depth on his roster. Recent defeats to Slovakia and Denmark once again raise doubts over the real quality at his disposal. Both nations are well below the Americans in the current FIFA world rankings and the coach admits "hard work is necessary to continue to be successful."

Success for the Americans surely cannot mean another South African final next summer. It's a totally unrealistic proposition. Progression beyond the round-robin section, on the other hand, is within its grasp and, with a little good fortune, the Americans can match the achievements of 2002.