CONTINUALLY DOMINANT at the regional level, the United States are expected to be the team to beat in Group B of the CONCACAF final round.

One of three teams to earn a bye into the final round along with Mexico and Canada, the United States are the only team to qualify for every FIFA Under-16/Under-17 World Cup (1985-2005). A trip to this final would make it a 12th consecutive one and the 'Stars and Stripes', as they are called by their fans, will be anxious to book their spot. The U.S. are also currently defending a 16-game unbeaten streak in CONCACAF U-17 qualification.

The U.S. won the CONCACAF final-round qualifying tourna-ment twice (1983 and 1992) when just one winner was crowned from 1983-1996. Since the event became a final-round qualification con-sisting of two groups in 1999, the U.S. have won their group four times, taking home the Group A title during the past four competitions in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2006.

In preparation for the tourna-ment, the United States took part in the Ballymena International Tournament in Ballymena, Nor-thern Ireland wherethey were knocked out after a 2-1 loss to the home team.

The U.S. are coached by John Hackworth.

The Squad: Josh Lambo, Zac MacMath, Mykell Bates, Tommy Meyer, Howard Turk, Sheanon Williams, Brandon Zimmerman, Alex Dixon, Bryan Dominguez, Greg Garza Jared Jeffrey, Brendan King, Nick Millington , Jesse Paredes, Dane Shea, Daniel Wenzel, Abdusalam Ibrahim, Ellis McLoughlin, Alex Nimo, Billy Schuler.

- K.M.