Four of the remaining six divisions were able to send countries but the number of teams had "strings attached". North America was guaranteed to send three teams and South America four. The #4 NA team (Costa Rica) and #5 SA team (Uruguay) faced-off for a final position in Cup action. Uruguay prevailed and became the #5 team to advance from SA. The top four teams from SA are: Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Argentina. By Costa Rica's loss, NA sends only three teams: the United States, Mexico, and Honduras.

Asia was assured of sending four teams to Cup action. Asia was divided into two groups of five teams. The #1 and 2 seeds both advanced to the Cup. Both #3 seeds faced-off for a future match against the Oceania champion New Zealand for the final Cup spot. The two #3 seeds from each Asian group were Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Bahrain advanced but was defeated by New Zealand. Therefore all six divisions were able to send a representative.

During Cup action, each nation will rival the three other teams in their group. Points are awarded in two ways, three points for a win and one point for a draw. A loss receives, nor deducts points. In the United States' 2002 Cup display, they compiled a round one record of 1-1-1. They received four points by one draw and one win. Three win equate to nine points. Three draws…3 points. Three defeats…0 points. Two wins and one draw would earn seven points.

The schedule for the United States team in the first round will be:
6-12: vs. England @ Rustenburg 20:30 (8:30 P.M.)
6-18: vs. Slovenia @ Johannesburg 16:00 (4:00 P.M.)
6-23: vs. Algeria @ Tshwane/Pretoria 16:00 (4:00 P.M.).

Nothing is set in stone after the first round. 16 teams will advance, 16 teams will go home. After the first round, the eight group winners will be pitted against the eight runners-up. From the final 16 on, it is a "one game and advance or go home" scenario, something very similar to NCAA's March Madness

tournament. In 2002, the United States reached the "Elite 8". After a team survives the first round, four wins equals a Cup championship.

Ready for the catch? The game times will be played with a seven-hour differential. For example, if a game is scheduled at 4:00 P.M. in Johannesburg, it would be aired live in Chattanooga at 9:00 A.M., Nashville at 8:00 A.M., Denver at 7:00 A.M., and Seattle at 6:00 A.M. It could be worse, the Sweet 16 match-up for the United States in '02 was aired at 2:00 A.M.

For further information, go to www.fifa.com Check back later this spring for further activities with FIFA and the 2010 World Cup team.
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