The USA have booked their place in the World Cup in South Africa next year after an impressive 3-2 victory over Honduras in San Pedro Sula on Saturday. In doing so, the team have qualified for the finals for a sixth successive time - a feat achieved by only five other teams including heavyweights Brazil and Italy.
Conor Casey scored twice against Honduras, with skipper Landon Donovan adding a third to wrap up a pulsating encounter with their tricky opponents. Victory was marked by a sense of relief as well as delight, since this match was by no means easy. USA are now hoping to erase the disappointment of the 2006 finals by taking South Africa by storm.
With Success in the Gold Cup, an excellent run in the Confederations Cup and now qualification in top spot, fans of the US are starting to believe that their team can challenge for the latter stages of the World Cup. Whilst this is definitely possible it is by no means certain, as Bob BradleyÂ's squad is young and fairly inexperienced, this was highlighted by the teamÂ's poor disciplinary record at the Confederations Cup in the summer.
Elsewhere, the World Cup finals is beginning to take shape as a number of teams booked their places over the weekend - notably Ivory Coast, Mexico, Serbia, Denmark, Germany and Italy. France, Republic of Ireland, Bosnia, Russia and in all probability Ukraine will be forced to contend a play-off contest to decide their fates.
Some of the worldÂ's best teams are in severe danger of missing out on the finals all together. Argentina have eased their problems with a last minute victory over Peru, yet qualification is still in doubt as they must beat Uruguay in the final game to be sure a place in South Africa.
It is now certain that one of the worldÂ's top players will be watching the finals at home. It is impossible for both Cristiano RonaldoÂ's Portugal and Zlatan IbrahimovicÂ's Sweden both to progress after Denmark topped Group One. Portugal have the slight edge being one point ahead and spot will clinch a play-off spot if they beat Hungary on Wednesday.
With many of the leading countries now pencilled in for the finals it could be a great time to start thinking about betting for the summer jamboree in South Africa. Odds of 125/1(Coral) are found on the USA to win it. It seems almost unthinkable that they actually will, but most in Europe underestimate the Americans and 125/1 is generous for a team will be expected to qualify from the group stages.
Brazil (5/1) Spain (5/1) and England (6/1) are the favourites for the competition with SkyBet, but it may be wiser to look to one of the outsiders for better value. Germany are 10/1 and will probably be a feature of the latter stages, Holland and reigning champions Italy also have the ability to go all the way and could be a great tip, both at 12/1 with Bet365.
