An opening-match showdown with England looms large for the United States in the World Cup, but goals for the Americans involve going much deeper in the global football tournament.

Expectations are high for a US squad that reached the Confederations Cup final last year in South Africa by ending top-ranked Spain's 37-match unbeaten streak and then taking a 2-0 lead on mighty Brazil before falling in the final.

"We have the kind of players that can be dangerous against very good teams," US coach Bob Bradley said. "We believe in playing our game, playing our tempo."

A 2002 run to the final eight, the best US World Cup result since taking third in the 1930 inaugural, boosted US hopes for 2006 but the Americans left Germany winless after the first round and determined to improve for 2010.

"Those of us who were there in 2006, we've been waiting for this opportunity," US midfielder Landon Donovan said.

"This is everything to me."

The Americans were drawn into Group C with an opening-match showdown against England on June 12 at Rustenburg followed by matches against Slovenia on June 18 at Johannesburg and June 23 against Algeria at Pretoria.

England figure to be a favorite with an all-time 7-2 record against the US squad, but the Americans can look back at winning a 1-0 stunner over England at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil and take inspiration.

"Are we as talented as England? Probably not," Donovan said. "But we feel that on a given day we have a chance to beat them."

"Playing England is exciting. There are a lot of Brits and English people in America. You didn't grow up playing without being influenced at some point by someone British. England has to be our focus right now."

Eight US players are in the English league while David Beckham has played a stint with the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, so the rivals are well aware of each other.

"Technically, yeah, maybe we're not as great as England. But technique is not a thing that wins games," Bocanegra said. "We're familiar with their players already. Hopefully we get started off on the right foot."

Hull forward Jozy Altidore will be a threat in the front with Fulham's Clint Dempsey likely to push the US attack as well and playmaker Donovan, who spent three months this year on loan to Everton, a guiding force at midfield.

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard figures to start with veteran Carlos Bocanegra of Rennes and Oguchi Onyewu of AC Milan anchoring the defensive line, Onyewu after battling back from a left knee injury.

The Americans lost a key forward when Charlie Davies was involved in a car crash just before the team's final World Cup qualifying match. His seven-month comeback bid from massive injuries fell short.

The US team has developed key leaders in the qualifying fight for a trip to South Africa, experienced voices able to unify the squad.

"We've put a very good group together," Bradley said. "Our leadership is key. From the beginning, we've talked to certain players that the need was there to take more responsibility to step up.

"We've seen along the way Timmy Howard, Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Steve Cherundolo, Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey have responded well. The group has shown there are many guys capable of providing leadership at the right times. That's very important."

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