CLINT DEMPSEY -- The veteran Dempsey is the fulcrum of the team. He links the play in a way Wayne Rooney can only dream of. He is neither supremely skilful nor very fast but he is a hugely sensible player. He got his team off to a fast start in the opening match against Ghana when he scored 29 seconds into the game for the fifth fastest goal in World Cup history. He came back and scored a goal in the 2-2 draw against Portugal. USA have advanced to the knockout stage in two straight World Cups and Dempsey is a massive part of that success as he became the first American to score in three straight World Cup tournaments. (AFP Photo)