The United States of America is the one place in the world that everyone knows! Discovered in 1493, the different states were under various foreign rules until they declared independence in 1776. Since then, the country has gone from strength to strength, developing industry and attracting tourism, thus making it one of the wealthiest countries in the world The currency has long been the US Dollar and world industry often tends to fit in with that. The administrative centre is Washington DC, which doubles up as the capital, and the population currently stands at 303 million. The main language is English, although Spanish is also widely spoken and there are various other languages spoken in different areas of the country owing to immigration.

There are three main sports that individuals follow in the USA – American football, basketball and baseball. However, in recent years, soccer has also began to gain popularity, although it is nowhere near the previously mentioned sports in terms of the cult following. Despite that, the national team is actually doing really well and has been since it hit its lowest FIFA ranking in October 1997. The national side is currently at 18th in the world but has been as high as 4th, a dizzy height that it reached in April 2006.

National honours have not come easily to the USA national side. The team has appeared in the World Cup a grand total of eight times, with the first in the inaugural 1930 competition. They reached the semi-finals in that particular year but have never replicated that form in the subsequent 7 appearances that they have made since then. However, they have made 9 appearances in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and had a lot more success. Since their first appearance in 1991, they have won it a grand total of four times (1991, 2002, 2005 and 2007). They have also entered the Confederations Cup three times, coming in third in their first season (1992) and again in 1999.

The domestic league, Major League Soccer, was founded in 1994 but had its first season in 1996. 13 teams play every season and are split into two conferences (East and West). This will increase to 14 teams in 2008 and 15 teams in 2009. The set up is quite complex. Each team has to play thirty games a year – 24 in their home conference and 6 intra-conference games. The season takes place from April to November every year, culminating in he top teams from both conferences playing for the MLS Cup.

The league is finally beginning to attract the top players from around the world, which was highlighted by the signing of David Beckham by LA Galaxy in 2007. However, it is still a long way off the leagues elsewhere in the world. The teams that take part are Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew, dc United, Kansas City Wizards, New England Revolution, Red Bull New York, Toronto FC (All East), CD Chivas, Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Los Angeles Galaxy, Real Salt Lake and San Jose Earthquakes (West). There are to be more teams created in the future so it is looking extremely bright!