The United States Soccer Team was once the laughing stock of FIFA and soccer fans around the world. The countries of the world used to take pride in defeating it as a form of compensation of not being able to defeat America by military and economic might. The countries that laughed at the United States did not separate sports from politics.
It has a long tradition dating back to the 19th Century even though the team has experienced popularity within the last 20 years. The USA defeated England in the 1950 World Cup
which was held in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The USA has hosted the 1994 World Cup and its team has appeared in every World Cup since 1990. While it has not advanced to the semi finals, it has done an impressive job within the last two decades.
The team itself has given rise to clubs and associations within the USA including the MLS [Major League Soccer]. The year 2009 was the year in which the sleeping giant of the American Continent awoke from its sleep. In the 2009 Confederation Cup, it defeated Spain and Egypt and almost came close to defeating Brazil. While Brazil won the 2009 Confederation Cup, the USA won second place.
The 2009 CONCACAF Classifications was another game in which the USA surprised many people and won first place followed by Honduras and Mexico although not in that order. The Soccer world knows about Landon Donovan, Carlos Bocanegra, and Jozy Altidore since they have played abroad and in the USA.
The only problem that the USA has was its loss in the preliminary games before the 2010 World Cup. It is hoped that they could get their act together to defeat the Czech Republic and Turkey in their home field. The fans of the team are keeping their fingers crossed and praying.
The US Soccer Team is in Group C along with England, Algeria
and Slovenia. The USA can defeat Slovenia and Algeria if it is able to sort out its problems of recovering from its defeats in the preliminary games. The biggest fear is the first game between the USA and England which has been the most publicized since the 1950 World Cup.
Jozy Altidore has stated that he has faith that the USA can defeat England in their opening game. While many are writing off the US Soccer Team, it is hoped that they could win so that the USA can mature into a soccer country with the possibility of hosting the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.
El Noticiero de Alvarez Galloso 