The Eagles travel to New Zealand for their sixth Rugby World Cup out of seven in total, but will be disappointed that their Pool C rivals don't include Japan. Both of the USA's wins at World Cups - in 1987 and 2003 - came against the Japanese.
Realistically, the team's sole chance of recording a victory in 2011 will come against Russia, who they beat 32-25 in the Churchill Cup earlier this year.
Despite their poor win/loss record at World Cups, the USA have rarely been embarrassed on the big stage. In 1991 they only recorded single-figure scores in each of their three pool matches, and in 1999 they shipped 135 points in total. But in 2003 the USA thrashed Japan and came within a whisker of beating Fiji, eventually going down 19-18 in Brisbane.
Last time out they gave England some headaches in a plucky 28-10 defeat, and only narrowly lost to the heavy hitters of both Samoa and Tonga. And with experienced forward Mike MacDonald, exciting winger Takudzwa Ngwenya and captain Todd Clever, they have the nous to cause a few headaches for the tournament's bigger sides.
World Cup squad:
Forwards: Inaki Basauri, Chris Biller, Todd Clever (captain), Pat Danahy, Eric Fry, JJ Gagiano, Nic Johnson, Scott LaValla, Mike MacDonald, Brian McClenahan, Mate Moeakiola, Shawn Pittman, Hayden Smith, Louis Stanfill, Phil Thiel, John van der Giessen.
Backs: Paul Emerick, Tai Enosa, Colin Hawley, Nese Malifa, Taku Ngwenya, James Paterson, Mike Petri, Blaine Scully, Junior Sifa, Andrew Suniula, Roland Suniula, Kevin Swiryn, Tim Usasz, Chris Wyles.
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