soccer looks troubled heading to '10 World Cup

No nation has benefited more from World Cup expansion than the United States, since it's basically impossible not to qualify now that 32 teams are invited. But after another head-scratcher of a Soccer game Saturday, there's more reason than ever to think the regression from the 2002 quarterfinal run will continue.

The U.S. lost 3-1 in Costa Rica on Wednesday night. More problematic was falling behind to Honduras in Chicago on Saturday before eking out a 2-1 victory. After the match, U.S. Coach Bob Bradley discussed one big problem: the fact that the players he needs the most can't get off the bench with their European clubs and therefore aren't properly conditioned or sharp enough for the national team.

Midfielder DaMarcus Beasley, who should be in the prime of his career at age 27, barely played and didn't score all season for Scotland's Glasgow Rangers. Jozy Altidore, the 19-year-old who was purchased from Major League Soccer by Spanish team Villareal, was lent to a second-division team but still can't get any playing time. And Freddy Adu, who was supposed to revolutionize the game here when he joined MLS at age 14, is a non-factor six years later in Portugal.