U.S. World Cup History

The 2010 World Cup is the 19th World Cup.

Of the previous 18, the United States did not qualify for 10. (Of the 8 they did qualify for, one was as a host.)

Of the 8 World Cups the U.S. has played in, 5 times they failed to get past the group stage (2006, 1998, 1990, 1934, and even in 1950, despite the famous upset over England).

That means that only 3 previous times have the U.S. reached the Knockout Round.

1930

The 1930 Cup was the first one. It was, naturally, hosted in Uruguay. Only 13 countries showed up. Mostly from the Americas. Teams were taking boats to get there. I mean, does this really count as a World Cup? In the final, they couldn't agree on which ball to use, this one or this one.

The U.S. did beat Belgium and Paraguay, the two teams in their group. They advanced to a 4-team knockout round where they lost to Argentina 6-1. They are credited as the 3rd place team based on record, since there was not a 3rd place game.

I mean, it says "U.S. third place" but they beat Belgium and Paraguay and then got blown out in their first game in the knockout round. Whopee.

1994

Today there are 32 teams, and 16 advance to the knockout round. In 1994, there were 24 teams, and still 16 advanced. Again, advancing here is not what it is today. Particularly because the U.S. finished 3rd in their group of 4 teams, and got help from a Columbian own goal that resulted in a fatality.

But hey, this was the first time they had advanced since 1930. Once again, the U.S. was eliminated in their first knockout round game by a South American powerhouse, a 1-0 loss to Brazil.

2002

So if you're keeping score at home, prior to 2002, the U.S. was 0-2 in the Knockout Round.

The U.S. was put in a group with Portugal, Poland and host Korea. And they lost to Poland. But they drew with Korea, and together with a shocking upset of Portgual (amazing video includes a Donovan 8-years younger) the U.S. advanced to play Mexico.

I was into the World Cup in 1998, but found it hard to follow in 2002. Because the games were played at 2 and 4:30 AM! That's what you get for hosting it in Asia. Especially before the Internet.

So the U.S. faced Mexico in the knockout round. And like that the U.S. won their first game past the group stage.

And then they lost 1-0 to Germany, who would go on to lose in the Finals.

So there you have it. U.S. is 1-3 in the Knockout Round. Even though technically 1930 says third place, I consider the 2002 the best result since they actually won a knockout game.

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I think the 2010 group performance is the best group performance for the Americans ever. Only their second time they've won a group, and I think it's against better competition than the 1930 affair.

The question is can the U.S. better their 2002 performance of winning one knockout game?

U.S. Knockout Record vs Continent
South America 0-2
Europe 0-1
North America 1-0
Africa ?