Major League Soccer, launched in 1996, has 12 teams, with more planned. ABC
and ESPN bought U.S. English-language television rights for the 2010 and 2014
World Cups for $100 million, and Univision purchased U.S. Spanish-language
rights for the next two tournaments for $325 million.
Corporate sponsors have amped up their support, with Nike erecting giant
billboards in New York and San Francisco featuring Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Eddie
Johnson and DaMarcus Beasley and the warning "BEWARE."
It's far different than 1990, when the Americans returned to the World Cup
for the first time since 1950 -- and were manhandled 5-1 by Czechoslovakia in
their opener.
Current coach Bruce Arena sat in the stands at Stadio Comunale in Florence,
Italy, that day to root on players he coached at the University of Virginia.
"In a sense it was embarrassing how far behind we were," he said. "We didn't
belong on the field."
As host of the 1994 World Cup, the United States made it to the second round
before losing to eventual champion Brazil. At the 1998 tournament in France, the
Americans finished last, leading to Arena's hiring.
He is now the longest-tenured of the 32 World Cup coaches.
Arena has plenty of lineup options, but won't divulge them. His defense
appeared set, with Keller in goal, Lewis at left back, 6-foot-4 Oguchi Onyewu
and Eddie Pope in the center, and Steve Cherundolo on the right. Reyna anchors
the midfield, where Beasley could flank him on either side, with Bobby Convey
and Dempsey possible starters.
Donovan and Brian McBride, who each scored two goals in 2002, are starters
barring unforeseen injuries, and forward Josh Wolff or defensive midfielder
Pablo Mastroeni could get selected.
Four years ago, the United States upset highly favored Portugal 3-2 in the
opener, so the Czechs say they expect the Americans to play them tough.
"They play fast soccer," midfielder Tomas Rosicky said. "We've seen what
they're capable of."
