But the 1998 World Champions were stung to the quick in 2002, failing to score a goal or win a game in the preliminary round. To say that their poor showing in Korea has motivated them this time around is an understatement. The players and the nation are salivating at the chance for redemption.
Any team that features Arsenal's Thierry Henry, who many consider one of the top three strikers in the world, has to be in the mix for championship consideration. Add 1998 hero Zinedine Zidane as well as an elegant and perfectly positioned defense and you may have a recipe for Les Bleus to make a legitimate run.
There are few other teams given much of a chance. The Germans and Dutch appear to have fielded inferior teams this time around compared to previous squads. And the Spanish, whose Primera Liga is perennially considered one of the top leagues in Europe never seem to be able to make a run despite excellent talent. Argentina, long a rival to Brazil, are in the so-called "Group of Death" and will be hard-pressed in the preliminary rounds against the Netherlands and Serbia. While most expect the Albiceleste to emerge victorious in Group C, history has shown that a tough prelim schedule is not conducive to success in the later rounds.
And the Americans? I think that the United States is one or two Cups away from making a run for glory. It would be a huge upset if Team USA makes it to the second round, probably needing a result against both the Czechs and Italians in order to advance. That's a lot to ask of this group of talented Americans who, I think, will give the two European soccer powers all they can handle and then some.
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
I remember back in '98 when the U.S. lost to Iran (silence) that their goal for world glory was 2010. I think they sorta were ahead of schedule last time. I hope they escape the first round.
As for the whole thing, I'm actually going with Germany. My dark horse is Trinidad (but not Tobago).
2 - RJ Elliott
My prediction:
The US will probably come in third in their strong group (behind the Czech Republic and Italy), and therefore not advance to the next round.
If they do advance, it will likely be as the second-place finisher in their group, which means they would next face Brazil...and almost certainly lose.
However, if they somehow manage to win their group, then they have a solid chance at making it at least to the Quarter-Finals, if not the Semi-Finals...
3 - RJ Elliott
The US lost to the Czech Republic 3-0...
They now pretty much have to beat both Italy AND Ghana to make it out of their group...
And that's pretty unlikely...
Of course, if they somehow manage to just tie Italy, they will still have a slim chance of advancing, as long as they can beat Ghana...