USA : WORLD CUP HISTORY

For a country that has played in only seven World Cups and waited forty years between appearances, the U.S. has a surprisingly rich history. In the very first tournament in 1930, the Americans, nicknamed the "Shot-putters" by the French because of the size of their players, reached the semifinals before Argentina rolled to a 6-1 victory.

In 1950, the U.S. lost two of its opening-round matches, but pulled off the upset of the ages, a 1-0 stunner over England.

In 1994, the Americans again surprised a superior team, upending Colombia, 2-1. Despite having a man advantage for the second half of its second-round match with Brazil, the U.S. hardly attacked and was eliminated, 1-0. The less said about France '98 the better, as the U.S. finished a dismal last among the thirty-two countries.

The 2002 competition in Korea, however, was another story entirely. The Americans jolted Portugal, 3-2, rolling to a three-goal advantage in the first round, beat up CONCACAF archrival Mexico, 2-0, in the second round, and lost to eventual runner-up Germany, 1-0, in the quarterfinals, knowing that a botched hand-ball call by the referee could have changed the course of the match.