For the first time since he ruptured a patellar tendon in his knee last October [2009], Oguchi Onyewu returned to practicing with the US Soccer team in preparations for the 2010 World Cup.

The event took place at the Home Depot Center at Carson, California and lasted 30 minutes. The training consisted of a warm up, a posession game, and a 5 versus 2 game followed by individual rehabilitation. He is also continuing his training with his other team AC Milan.

During the month of February and March 2010, the US Soccer Team will be playing against El Salvador and the Netherlands. The final game will be against the Czech Republic and Turkey. It must be remembered that these teams are strong with the Netherlands being a participant in the 2010 World Cup.

The Netherlands is currently in third place in the FIFA Coca Cola World Ranking February 2010 with 1288 points behind Spain and Brazil. Turkey is currently in 42nd place with 728 points even though it was in third place in the 2002 World Cup and the 2003 FIFA Confederation Cup.

The Czech Republic is in 25th place with 828 points and 9 World Cup Appearances. The Czech Republic have won the UEFA Euro Tournament as well as the Olympics in the past. El Salvador is in 71st Place with 463 points

The USA is currently in 14th place with 963 points. While people underestimate the friendlies, it is important for the US Soccer Team to win the majority of them.

The US Soccer Team has been written off in the past but have proved their critics wrong. The example was the USA defeating Egypt and Spain in the 2009 Confederation Cup. The numbers of a ranking mean nothing when a team has the will to play and win.

It is hoped that the US Soccer team can do that.