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USA
Monday June 5, 2006
The Guardian

The world's fifth-best team. Photograph: CJ Gunther/EPA.


The clicheì

A bunch of college boys from a country whose women often put up a better performance than the men.

The reality

With 12 of the squad based in Europe and 11 relatively fresh - it's early in the Major League season - the States are confident of progressing from a tough group. But unless they win it, they would probably come up against Brazil, who knocked them and everyone else out of USA 94. Much depends on Captain America, Claudio Reyna.

Where they're staying

An American hotel, of course: the Park Hyatt, Hamburg. This port city boasts a fine red-light area but, as the hotel combines "old-world charm and maritime tradition with state-of-the-art conveniences", we're sure most of the squad won't venture out.

Grudge match

Mexico is the big one and the US beat them 2-0 in the first knockout round at the last World Cup. Iran would also be a fun tie, one in which public enemy No2 managed to defeat the States at France 98. Don't expect Air Force One to be scrambled for any re-run.

The politics

Bruce Arena said the squad was picked with the size and speed of the group opponents in mind as well as the compatibility of each player with his team-mates, so it's just as well Brad Friedel has retired from internationals as he and Kasey Keller do not get on at all.

Supported by

The US army base in Kaiserslautern and the Nato equivalent at Gelsenkirchen are expected to be overwhelmed by squaddies requesting 24-hour passes, and that should help raise decibel levels.

Slogan on team "United we play, United we win"

If they were shoes . . .

Doc Martens You know the name and the reputation. They may lack a deftness of touch but this powerful ensemble makes a big status statement. And that statement is: do what I say or feel the force.

The coach: Bruce Arena

On his chalkboard

A highly technical coach and at almost eight years the longest serving at the finals, Arena may opt for a cautious 4-5-1 or even a Christmas tree, with Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley the support for Eddie Johnson or Brian McBride.

In his closet

Gave an interview to the New York Times slating the governing body US Soccer and MLSover the Project 2010 initiative, a mission statement for success at the 2010 finals. Was forced to apologise to keep his £600k-a-year job.

The stats

Fifa ranking 5th
Odds to win 80-1
World Cup finals recordP22 W6 D2 L14 F25 A45
World Cup best Semi-finals 1930
Record in qualifying W 12 D 4 L 2

The players

Most likely to move to Bolton

Fulham's Brian McBride knows the area, having played for Preston and Everton, and his ability on the ground as well as in the air would not have gone unnoticed if Allardyce is in the market for a thinking man's Kevin Davies.

Oscar nominee

Landon Donovan twice tried to settle at Bayer Leverkusen but left each time citing homesickness. He now plays for Los Angeles Galaxy, where he is putting the experience gained in the land of Jürgen into practice when it comes to tumbling in the box.

King of the endorsements

Donovan is a bit of a national hero and has a Nike deal (among others). He makes $450k (£240k) a year from them all, about half of his playing wage.

You'll be copying . . .

It's to be hoped nobody attempts to mimic the behaviour of PSV's DaMarcus Beasley, a substitute with a full bladder who relieved himself down the side of his leg by the dugout during the quarter- final defeat against Germany in 2002.

Nation sweating on

Reyna's fitness, or lack of it, as the Manchester City midfielder limped off with a hamstring strain in last month's friendly against Morocco. Everything goes through the US captain, who missed around half of last season for his club.

Rooney to have a grand on

A repeat from DaMarcus Beasley.

The country

On the psychiatrist's couch

Usually I punch first and ask questions later. Actually sometimes I don't bother with the questions bit, particularly where evildoers are concerned. People are suspicious of my strength and it can be a lonely lot, but I have one 'special' friend who always sticks by my side and tells me that I am a good person and gets very upset if I am too friendly with anyone else. I have a playful side but am at my best in games that no one else really understands.

What they eat

Whatever they fancy and plenty of it.

What they watch

Fox's American Idol gets a staggering 28-29m viewers, about a tenth of the population, and occupies top spot. CBS's CSI franchise is basically an up-to-date retread of Quincy.

National anthem in brief

The Star-Spangled Banner The USA recalls an enemy with smelly feet who attempted to set fire to its ornately decorated flag using a variety of incendiary weapons. The fact that they failed is viewed as symbolic.

Well I never

The bald eagle is unique to the continent and was chosen as the USA's emblem because of the bird's longevity and looks.

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Most likely to move to Bolton

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