Although by far not the most popular sport in the U.S. the national interest in soccer has rocketed since the 1994 World Cup was held on home soil and the introduction of a professional league in 1996/97 further increased the sport's popularity. As such the United States National Soccer Team enjoys substantial support going into the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

35 teams were lined up from February 2008 to reach one of the three direct qualification stages made available by FIFA...