World Cup 2006 Preview - USA
Author: David WalkerOutright Odds: 100/1 Group E Winners: 7/1
The USA have a lot to live up to after reaching the quarter
finals four years ago but being placed in the "Group of Death"
could see their campaign in Germany fall much shorter.
As usual, the USA had a relatively easy group, with only Mexico
providing any real competition. This the fifth consecutive
finals the US are participating in, despite being much-maligned
as a capable international football team.
In 16 qualifying matches Bruce Arena's side lost just twice,
away at both Mexico and Costa Rica and secured their place in
Germany with matches to spare and topped their group ahead of
Mexico due to a better head-to-head record.
The USA may be rated eighth in the world according to the FIFA
rankings, but similar to Mexico, the sheer number of games they
play against sub-standard opposition means they are perhaps
artificially high. Arena could afford to field a reserve team
for the final two matches and still win the group. The bookies
are under no illusions and rate them as 100/1 (Bet365) outsiders
to win the tournament outright, top 10 in the world or not.
Like Italy, the USA may also suffer from a lack of stability.
While Claudio Reyna is the first-choice captain, no less than
seven players wore the armband during qualifying.
However, if they can get past this then Arena can rely on a
vastly experienced team to try and negotiate their way into the
second round. While 164-cap Cobi Jones has finally retired, the
US have another centurion in Reyna while Kasey Keller, Brian
McBride and Eddie Pope are all veterans of previous World Cup
campaigns. Even striker Landon Donovan, at 23-years-old, boasts
over 70 caps.
Despite struggling to make the grade in Europe, Donovan remains
the USA's most potent threat. Now playing as a midfield
playmaker and back in his homeland with Los Angeles Galaxy, he
racked up six goals in qualifying and created as many for others.
There may not, however, be a place for 16-year-old sensation
Freddy Adu. The DC United striker could be representing Ghana in
this year's finals but pledged his international future to the
USA.
Recommended Bet: This is an exceptionally tough group for the
USA to negotiate, especially since they do not play top class
European opposition very often. This could well be the type of
group where everyone takes points from everyone else, but Bruce
Arena's side best chance of success comes in their final group
game against Ghana. At odds-against, the USA look a sound bet
but even victory here may not be enough to make it to the last
16. USA to beat Ghana @ 6/5
About the author:
David Walker runs a free
World Cup bets website and written
Cup previews. A free 45-page World Cup guide is available
from the website and features a "free World Cup football shirt"
offer.
posted by Keketius @ 2:32 AM
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