With all the trophies, all the glory, and all the individual achievements the United States has achieved throughout sporting history, it has never conquered the most important sporting event in the world: The World Cup.

The Jules Rimet Cup, named after the FIFA president who during the years of World War II did everything possible to keep soccer alive, has never been in the hands of an American.

The best showing by a USA team came 71 years ago, in the inaugural World Cup in Uruguay.

The USA was among the final four teams, and in sight of the Cup, but was blown away, 6-1, by international powerhouse Argentina in the semifinals.

The USA's next best effort came in 1994, playing as the Cup hosts. Taking advantage of the automatic bid into the tournament, the USA enjoyed great luck, especially when Columbia's Andres Escobar recorded an own goal that gave the Americans the 2-1 victory over Columbia.

With that goal, the USA advanced to the Round of 16 and gave a tremendous effort against eventual champion Brazil, but fell, 1-0.

In the 1998 World Cup in France, the USA scored only once in three games, losing to Germany, Iran, and Yugoslavia.

Adding to the perpetual futility, the USA failed to qualify for all but one World Cup from 1938 to 1986, swallowed up in the marathon that is the qualifying round.