MLSsoccer.com caught up with some of the players who are expected to represent the US national team at the World Cup in Brazil next summer.
Here's their reaction to drawing Germany, Portugal and Ghana in a very tough Group G after Friday's World Cup Draw:
CLINT DEMPSEY (Seattle Sounders)
On landing in Group G with Germany, Ghana and Portugal: "It’s a difficult group but we’re excited about playing the best teams. That’s what the World Cup is about.
On facing Germany: "Germany is going to be difficult. They’re one of the top two teams in the world. You have to try to study tape and make sure we prepare the best we can and try to get results from every game."
On his fitness level: "I’m feeling good. Been working in the gym and making sure that next year is going to be a great 2014. That’s what the goal is."
BRAD EVANS (Seattle Sounders)
On landing in Group G: "It’s a tough group … It’s a World Cup and every group is going to be tough. At the end of the day our goal is to beat the best to be the best."
On beating Germany 4-3 in a friendly back in May: "I think definitely for us I don’t think they expected us to come out the way we did and especially to score four goals. We had a good game plan. We’ll watch the game film and … It’s a new group of guys and a hungry group. So I think it’s going to be exciting.
On the prospect of facing Cristiano Ronaldo at right back: "Obviously you watch him every single weekend and you have in your mind tendencies. But you can’t bank on anything. It’s stand-up play and watching games when he hasn’t been so successful and try to mirror what that defender has done in that game."
