Coach: Bruce Arena

Star Players: Brian McBride, Landon Donavan, DaMarcus Beasley

Tournament Best: Semi-Final 1930

Last Time: Lost to Germany in Quarter-Finals

Qualifying: 2nd in CONCACAF Group

Top Scorer In Qualifying: Landon Donavan, Ed Johnson 7

This will be the U.S.A's fifth straight World Cup finals appearance, due partly to the teams they face in qualifying.

In group E in Germany they will face Italy and the Czech Republic. A huge step up from Panama and Dominica.

Their lack of experience against quality opposition could hinder their chances of making the knockout stages this summer, especially as only a few of their players get it at club level.

Fulham striker Brian McBride will give anyone who is marking him a tough battle and could be a threat from set pieces.

Landon Donavan is the playmaker and is one of MLS' top players. He will hope to fair better in Germany than he did whilst playing for Bayer Leverkusen, where he did not impress.

In Kasey Keller and Tim Howard the U.S. have two good keepers, but whoever is picked is likely to be kept busy.