World Cup 2006 Preview – USA

Write-up by David Walker

Outright Odds: one hundred/1Group E Winners: 7/1

The USA have a great deal to live up to following reaching the quarter finals four a long time in the past but getting placed in the “Group of Death” could see their campaign in Germany fall significantly shorter.

As typical, the USA had a relatively simple group, with only Mexico delivering any real levels of competition. This the fifth consecutive finals the US are taking part in, in spite of getting a lot-maligned as a able international football crew.

In sixteen qualifying matches Bruce Arena’s side misplaced just twice, away at each Mexico and Costa Rica and secured their spot in Germany with matches to spare and topped their group ahead of Mexico due to a greater head-to-head record.

The USA may possibly be rated eighth in the world in accordance to the FIFA rankings, but comparable to Mexico, the sheer range of games they play towards sub-normal opposition means they are maybe artificially high. Arena could manage to field a reserve staff for the final two matches and even now win the group. The bookies are beneath no illusions and price them as a hundred/1 (Bet365) outsiders to win the tournament outright, leading 10 in the globe or not.

Like Italy, the USA could also endure from a lack of balance. While Claudio Reyna is the initial-choice captain, no significantly less than 7 players wore the armband for the duration of qualifying.

However, if they can get previous this then Arena can depend on a vastly experienced group to try and negotiate their way into the second round. While 164-cap Cobi Jones has lastly retired, the US have one more centurion in Reyna although Kasey Keller, Brian McBride and Eddie Pope are all veterans of previous Entire world Cup campaigns. Even striker Landon Donovan, at 23-many years-aged, features around 70 caps.

Regardless of struggling to make the grade in Europe, Donovan continues to be the USA’s most powerful risk. Now taking part in as a midfield playmaker and again in his homeland with Los Angeles Galaxy, he racked up 6 goals in qualifying and produced as numerous for other folks.

There might not, nevertheless, be a location for 16-year-aged sensation Freddy Adu. The DC United striker could be representing Ghana in this year’s finals but pledged his worldwide long term to the USA.

Recommended Wager:This is an exceptionally challenging group for the USA to negotiate, particularly given that they do not play best class European opposition extremely frequently. This could well be the type of group in which everyone requires points from all of us else, but Bruce Arena’s side best chance of success comes in their last group game in opposition to Ghana. At odds-against, the USA seem a sound wager but even victory here may possibly not be sufficient to make it to the last 16. USA to beat Ghana @ 6/five

About the Author

David Walker runs a free of charge World Cup bets internet site and published World Cup previews. A totally free 45-page Planet Cup guide is accessible from the internet site and attributes a “no cost Globe Cup football shirt” give.