This American team, in all fairness, played well above their talent level this World Cup. The 2002 squad that reached the Quarterfinals was a much more well rounded team with several players, including Kasey Keller in goal, at their peak.
This 2010 squad had virtually no back line (save Cherundolo and the injured Onyewu who wasn’t ready to return so was removed) and no front line (the 19-year old Altidore gets credit for trying but doesn’t have the poise yet). Still, they found the fight to top their group and showed amazing resolve.
More important than repeating the ‘02 run to the Quarterfinals, I think the U.S. team did something that will last forever - they cemented the cultural identity of the American squad. This is now and perhaps forevermore the team that never quits. Here’s hoping that Donavan and Dempsey (my favorite player) will still have the fitness to get in another World Cup - it’ll be even better in four years.
