Grahame Jones’ LA Times piece this morning on US Soccer’s big win and qualification for the 2010 World Cup contains this interesting nugget…

Story via LA Times Image via Footyfootball

“Much will depend on the Dec. 4 draw, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa. The U.S., which could be among the eight second-seeded teams, will learn then which three teams it will play in the first round of the World Cup.

“Certain draws are better than others,” U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard told the Associated Press, but the Americans can still expect a tough challenge.

The difference between 2006 and 2010 is that the team has grown in confidence and self-belief. Each unexpected victory against technically more skilled and experienced teams, each win in a hostile environment, has helped in that regard.

The players that Bradley takes to South Africa next year will have “been there, done that,” and that alone should make the Americans an opponent to take seriously.

Of course, much depends on the type of games and caliber of teams that U.S. Soccer can line up for Bradley ahead of the World Cup. The Netherlands already is penciled in as one possible opponent in March. There is talk of a game against England.

Playing against teams that it is not expected to defeat will be crucial in further developing and strengthening the U.S. squad ahead of its June departure for South Africa.

Bradley’s predecessor, Bruce Arena, who coached the U.S. for eight years, cited weak warm-up opponents as one reason for the Americans’ failure at the Germany ’06 World Cup.”