U.S. soccer has one goal

U.S. soccer has one goal: just win, baby Players haunted by past World Cup failures, hope experience pays off - The United States could extend its stay at the 2010 World Cup on Wednesday by prevailing in a tiebreaker system or — through a last, desperate avenue that hasn't been implemented by FIFA in 20 years — have its name drawn from a bowl one hour after its final first-round match.

But if the Americans want to make it easy on themselves, if they'd like to avoid the dizzying permutations and postgame anxiety, there is a simpler, unequivocal and decisive route to the round of 16: defeat Algeria.

U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra, center, shown with Steve Cherundolo, left, and Landon Donovan, says his team's experience will pay off on Wednesday

"Our objective is very clear: It's win the game and take all the other stuff out of the question," midfielder Landon Donovan said.

A victory by the Americans (0-0-2, two points) at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria would ensure a top-two finish in Group C and a berth in this weekend's second stage. A draw might also do the trick, depending on the outcome of the match between Slovenia (1-0-1, four points) and England (0-0-2, two), who face one another at the same time (10 a.m. Eastern time) in Port Elizabeth.

The United States has the advantage on England because it has scored more goals (3-1), which is the second tiebreaker after goal differential. However, if both teams settle for ties and England pulls even on total goals, FIFA would have to draw lots, a procedure last used in 1990 to settle Ireland and the Netherlands' placement in the second round.

With a loss to Algeria (0-1-1, one point), the Americans are headed home after three matches, just like four years ago in Germany.

"It's important for us because we had that disappointment in '06," captain Carlos Bocanegra said. "It's not really extra motivation, but it's just in the back of our minds. You work so hard and you train for so long for the World Cup, and it can be over so quickly."

Historically, the Americans have not fared well in their first-round finales. In 1994, they advanced to the round of 16 despite a 1-0 loss to Romania. In 2002, while losing to out-of-contention Poland 3-1, they received help in the other group match to move on and eventually reach the quarterfinals — their best performance in the modern era.

In 2006, needing to defeat Ghana to continue, the United States dropped a 2-1 decision.

Overall, in the third game of their World Cup campaigns, the Americans are 0-7-0 and have been outscored 20-6.

The players, though, see a difference in this year's squad, a maturity and perseverance that surfaced during a stirring two-goal comeback in the second half of a 2-2 draw with Slovenia last Friday.

"In the two [previous] World Cups I have been a part of, we haven't strung together three consecutive good results and good performances," Donovan said. "This team has the experience and ability to do that. We are as prepared as we can be for what is ahead."

The players might be prepared, but U.S. supporters, numbering in the thousands in South Africa, aren't sure what to expect. The team conceded early goals in each of the first two matches to continue a troubling trend that began in World Cup qualifying last year.

A goalkeeping blunder by England provided relief in the 1-1 opening draw and the surge against Slovenia, in essence, rescued the Americans' World Cup campaign. If not for a controversial disallowed goal in the late moments of that second match, they would have been sitting in first place.

Algeria remained in contention with a 0-0 tie against England last week but has yet to score a goal in its first World Cup appearance since 1986. The United States has never played the Desert Foxes, who don't possess as many attacking threats as the Americans' first two opponents but will be difficult to break down defensively.

"Algeria is a team that has a way of getting a lot of numbers behind the ball," U.S. Coach Bob Bradley said. "You play against a team that is organized, making the right play to get a goal is not always easy."

The Americans were in a similar situation in South Africa last year, needing a victory over a northern Africa team in their final group match — and help in another game — to advance to the semifinals of the Confederations Cup. They proceeded to thump Egypt, 3-0, while Brazil defeated Italy.

"We've been here before," Bocanegra said. "This time, we just need to win."

The ramifications of the U.S. success or failure Wednesday are sure to be felt back home, where the campaign has attracted sizeable TV audiences and mainstream buzz.

"Soccer in the United States continues to grow," Bradley said. "There have been so many important steps along the way, and we understand that each World Cup takes on extra importance. So we understand the responsibility as a team of representing the United States and representing our sport." ( The Washington Post Company )