FIFA President Sepp Blatter, right, and South African president Jacob Zuma they take the stage of the 2010 soccer World Cup draw in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, Dec. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)
The United States has been drawn into Group C for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, along with England, Slovenia and Algeria.
The dramatic draw played out before over a billion viewers on television sets around the globe. English press are calling it an 'easy draw' for their home side. USA have never faced Slovenia or Algeria before, and commentators on ESPN 2 seem to agree that the Yanks avoided a "Group of Death" and have a good chance to advance.
USA group schedule
June 12 v. England
June 18 v. Slovenia
June 23 v. Algeria
Prost Amerika: The big news is that the USA have got their wish and drawn England in a group that contains one of the weaker African sides, Algeria and the smallest nation who have qualified Slovenia. Although Slovenia may not be as weak as some think, as they only conceded four goals in their ten qualifying games, the draw could not have been much better for Sam’s Army.
US Soccer: Complete group play schedule
USA Today: South Africa faces Mexico in opener
| Group A | Group B |
| South Africa | Argentina |
| Mexico | Nigeria |
| Uruguay | South Korea |
| France | Greece |
| Group C | Group D |
| England | Germany |
| United States | Australia |
| Algeria | Serbia |
| Slovenia | Ghana |
| Group E | Group F |
| Netherlands | Italy |
| Denmark | Paraguay |
| Japan | New Zealand |
| Cameroon | Slovakia |
| Group G | Group H |
| Brazil | Spain |
| North Korea | Switzerland |
| Ivory Coast | Honduras |
| Portugal | Chile |
Comments
Whew! A chance for the US of A!
England Schmengland.
Donovan attack Beckham? Again? LOL!
USA - pretty darn good; getting S Africa is the only way this could have better
Mexico - how do you way "lucky bastards" in Spanish?
Italy- how do you way "lucky bastards" in Italian?
N Korea - welcome back to the World Cup
Italy- "bâtards chanceux" is "lucky bastards" in French; how does it feel to have the world hoping you fail, mes amis?
do you SAY x2
It is favorable for the US, not accessible. Many US fans are completely underestimating what a team like Slovenia can do. They beat Slovakia twice, wiped the floor with a disappointing Poland side, and as we know eliminated Russia. They have some very technical players as they still have the old Yugoslavian style of play.
Algeria are tough as well. They play a typical Northern African style with lots of touch and keeping the ball on the ground. Highly technical players, but the US could matchup well in tactical discipline and athleticism. Algeria knocked out Senegal in the second round of qualifying and beat Egypt (twice) in extremely nationalistic pressure cookers.
US can come out of this group, they just can't come in with that "Who's Ghaner? Who's Czech Republic?" mentality. If they take these teams as seriously as they do England, they will be in good shape.
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