Europeans should prove a tough challenge for U.S

HARTFORD, Connecticut, May 25: The United States have never fared especially well against European competition, so there is reason for anxiety as the World Cup looms.

Fourteen European nations are in the finals and the US are drawn in Group E with the Czech Republic, Italy and Ghana.

''I learned from the 2002 World Cup that you can't worry about the draw,'' US coach Bruce Arena told Reuters. ''You have to worry about getting your team ready to play. They're all good teams in our group.'' The Americans, who had an impressive 2002 finals where they fell to eventual runners-up Germany in the quarter-finals, open against the Czechs, ranked number two in the world, on June 12 in Gelsenkirchen.

Now at an all-time best of fourth in FIFA's rankings, the US meet three-times champion Italy in Kaiserslautern on June 17 and first-timers Ghana on June 22 in Nuremburg.

In 13 World Cup matches against Europeans, the Americans have won three, drawn one and lost nine. Playing in Europe, the US have lost all seven fixtures against Europeans by a stunning 20-4 goal aggregate.

The US have also lost three of five games to Italy, including a 7-1 rout at the 1934 finals.

They also lost to the former Czechoslovakia 5-1 in the 1990 finals in Italy and have never played Ghana before.

The fitness of captain Claudio Reyna and John O'Brien have been the main concerns in midfield.

Reyna, entering his fourth finals, is coming off ankle and shoulder injuries at Manchester City but was relieved that a scan on a suspected injured hamstring showed no serious damage after he limped off in a 1-0 defeat against Morocco on Tuesday.

Ankle, back, calf and groin ailments have limited O'Brien to 10 games for club and country since 2002.

World Cup experience is abundant in midfield with Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley on the flanks and Pablo Mastroeni in a holding role.

Donovan can also play in central midfield but is more likely to partner Fulham's Brian McBride in his third finals.

Beside McBride and Donovan, the US are short on experienced forwards. Eddie Johnson and Josh Wolff are back-ups but Wolff is not in the same form as he was in 2002.

Goalkeeper Kasey Keller continues to play superbly, but the defence face sterner tests than sub-par foes usually present.

The aging Eddie Pope could be a liability at central defence but newcomer Oguchi Onyewu of Standard Liege adds a physical presence.

Steve Cherundolo of Hanover 96 and Leeds United's Eddie Lewis are likely starters on the flanks.

REUTERS