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USA, seeded 4th, are clubbed together with Germany, Portugal and Ghana in group G of the FIFA World Cup 2014 to be held in Brazil commencingon the June 12, 2014. Termed as the group of death, USA have a really tough task of getting past the group stage as they are up against teams who have been performing consistently better in the recent FIFA World Cups.USA have a well balanced team, with an average age of 26, a right mix of experience and youth. However, the backbone of the team are the players who have been performing consistently well for their country in recent years.Lets take a look at the 5 key players for the teamwho can make a difference in the upcoming FIFA World Cup.You can see the Top 5 players for other teams here:FIFA World Cup top 5 Players for each country
#5 DaMarcus Beasley
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The vastly experienced 32-year-old DaMarcus Beasley is set to get into the record books as the only American to play in four FIFA World Cups. He is not only the most experienced player in the side, but also one with a great exposure having played in Netherlands, England, Germany, Scotland and Mexico. Beasley plays as a left back and a winger who will be looking to go up-field and play crosses into the box when given the oppotunity.
Beasley captained the team in 2013 which won the CONCACAF Gold Cup; he was also part of the team when they won it in 2002, 2005 and 2007; he also won the Golden Boot in the 2005 edition. Beasley made just one substitute appearance in the 2010 World Cup and just when things seemed bleak, he was called in for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers by Jurgen Klinsmann and after putting on a good show in the qualifiers, he was part of the team going to Brazil.
He seems to have settled down well and enjoying his new position as a left-back winger. Throughout his career he has been known for his lightning pace and defensive instincts. However, he is no longer the young upstart he was years ago, and will be looking to play a key role in decision making and execution joining hands with Klinsmann and the other experienced players like Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard.
#4 Jozy Altidore
Jozy Altidore has established himself as the premier striker in the US team, having scored 21 international goals in 67 appearences. His best year was 2013, when he scored 8 goals in 14 appearences helping USA qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals. He is one of those players in the team who has played in different countries like Spain, Netherlands and England.
Some of his career highlights include scoring a hat-trick against Trinidad and Tobago in 2009, making him the youngest American to score a hat-trick in an international game. His most famous goal came against Spain in the semi-final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup which helped USA win 2-0. He also holds the national record for scoring in 5 consecutive games which he accomplished in 2013.
His performance for Sunderland may have been subdued, but what’s important is his form when playing for the USA has been good overall. The major worry for the US team at the moment is Altidore’s consistency as he has struggled to find the back of the net this year having scored a solitary goal.
Klinsmann has bet on Jozy Altidore to lead the strike force in the FIFA World Cup overlooking USA’s all time top goal scorer Landon Donovan.
#3 Michael Bradley
The 26-year-old midfielder is one of the key members in the team having played league Football in Italy, England and Germany. He has had great exposure playing against different styles. He is the son of ex-coach of the national team, Robert Bradley, and started playing football at a very young age. He has also captained the national team in the absence of Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard.
As a defensive midfielder he doesn’t score often, however Bradley’s most important goal came when he scored against Slovenia to help USA draw the game 2-2 in the group stage of the 2010 World Cup. Bradley will be pivotal in the midfield for the USA as his strengths include passing and through balls. He is the main free-kick taker and will be involved in set piece strategy.
Bradley played an active role in the team which finished runners-up in the FIFA Confederation cup in 2009 and CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2011. He was also part of the AS Roma team that finished runners-up in the Coppa Italia in 2012-13. Michael Bradley will be hoping for something similar in the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil. Only time will tell us, if he can fulfill his potential as a young, dynamic and creative midfielder during the World Cup.
#2 Clint Dempsey
The captain of the team, Clint Dempsey has come a long way since making his debut for the national team at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championships. Dempsey will be appearing in his third World Cup, the 2006 World Cup being his first. He scored against England in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a goal which humiliated the England team. This was the start of a dream run for USA who eventually bowed out in the round of 16 losing to Ghana.
Dempsey is one of the most experienced players in the side, and will be looking to lead the team from the front as he is the second best all time goal scorer for the USA with 36 goals behind Landon Donovan. Although he plays as a midfielder he is known for his goal scoring ability, especially his trade mark diving headers which is one of his best aerial skills.
Dempsey will be the backbone of USA’s attack, and will act like an on field mentor for the likes of Jozy Altidore, Chris Wondolowski and Aron Jóhannsson.
#1 Tim Howard
The 35-year-old Everton goal keeper has been in tremendous form after winning the CONCACAF Goal Keeper of the year in 2013 having helped USA qualify for their seventh consecutive World Cup finals. He has won other prestigious awards like the Golden Glove award in the 2009 FIFA Confedaration Cup and the ‘Best Save’ in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup 2011.
Appearing in his third FIFA World Cup, he is the veteran in the team and his experience in the tournament will be crucial for the team. He started as the main goal keeper in the previous edition of the FIFA World Cup and was instrumental in helping his team reach the round of 16, winning the man of the match award against England and aiding the winning goal against Algeria.
Tim Howard will have to be in great form for the US team to progress far in the competition, considering they will be up against some of the best attacking sides in the group stage. He will be looking to make amends for their defeat against Ghana in the previous edition of the FIFA World Cup. He will be sharing defensive tips with his team-mates, countering set pieces, setting player positions, and will be working closely with skipper Clint Dempsey and coach Jurgen Klinsmann in deciding team tactics and strategy.
