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World Cup - United States

The US continues to improve but they have a tough draw. Someone is going to have to play out of their mind for them to get through. Kasey Keller just might be the man to do that and steer them through with his gloves, but he'll need to play like he did against Brazil a few years back. But really, the US is a good team and they can play with most anyone. Hopefully a star will emerge, maybe Clint Dempsey. It will be interesting to see who Bruce Arena selects...he has some tough choices.

Consistent play, comprehensive preparations and a slew of talented players – many of whom helped see them through to the quarter-finals at Korea/Japan 2002 – ensured the United States can look forward to a fifth consecutive appearance on the world's biggest stage at Germany 2006.

Gone are the days when the North American nation was derided as a second-tier footballing side, and coach Bruce Arena has his team believing that their capricious mix of young talents such as DaMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan and wily old campaigners like Brian McBride and Claudio Reyna could be enough to see off the world's best.

Arena's Americans reached the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ with three matches still to play in the final round of North, Central American and Caribbean qualifying. And even with a loss late in the campaign to fellow qualifiers Costa Rica, the USA still finished top of the regional pack for the first time in their history.

With only one loss in their opening six final round matches, the US needed a win at home against arch-rivals Mexico on 3 September 2005 to book their place and a capacity crowd in Columbus, Ohio roared on the Stars and Stripes in one of the most colourful atmospheres ever seen at a football game in the United States.

Goals from Steve Ralston and Beasley saw the Americans defeat their neighbours to the south and kick off wild celebrations in and around Crew Stadium in the heart of the Midwest. "You'll look at it and say it's real easy and it's a breeze. But it's not a breeze. It's very difficult," Arena said of their qualifying campaign.

"I remember back to our first game in this round away in Trinidad and every game has been difficult, but I think our experiences over the last four years have positioned us to be successful, and our guys know how to win in big games."

Read more at: FIFA World Cup - Yahoo!