They started scattering Sunday to the United States and Europe, never to come together as a group again.

The pattern is hard to miss: The United States falls behind by a goal or two, then tries to scramble back.

If the United States beats England at the World Cup on Saturday, England will be a big reason.

If the United States beats England at the World Cup on Saturday, England will be a big reason.

Four years after being sent off as England bowed out of the World Cup, Wayne Rooney and his notoriously short temper are again attracting the attention of referees.

Instead of worrying where the goals are going to come from, this U.S. soccer team's biggest concern is keeping the ball out of its own net.

The phones started ringing at 2 a.m., and players were told to come down to the third floor for a meeting. As Herculez Gomez pressed the elevator button on 17, his mind raced. Were his dreams about to be fulfilled - or crushed?

The phones started ringing at 2 a.m., and players were told to come down to the third floor for a meeting. As Herculez Gomez pressed the elevator button on 17, his mind raced. Were his dreams about to be fulfilled - or crushed?

Charlie Davies, the forward who was convinced he could recover from a shattering car crash in time for the World Cup, fell short of making the 30-man preliminary U.S. roster for the tournament.

Now that Charlie Davies won't be playing for the U.S. soccer team in South Africa, coach Bob Bradley must figure out his starting forwards.

U.S. coach Bob Bradley is uncertain whether Charlie Davis will recover enough from severe injuries sustained in a car crash last fall to earn an invitation for the Americans' pre-World Cup training camp next month.

Despite the steady improvement of the United States in recent decades and Mexico's strong traditions, little is expected at the World Cup from the three qualifiers from the CONCACAF region.