Ranked 18th in the World FIFA rankings, the USA is off to a blistering 3-0 start in the North American qualifying for the 2002 World Cup to be held in Korea and Japan.

The team has already defeated Costa Rica, Honduras, and perennial World Cup contender Mexico.

The Americans have only allowed one goal, to Honduras, in the three games, while recording impressive shutouts of both the Mexicans and the Costa Ricans.

The team's commitment to defense, led by goaltender Kasey Keller, has stifled the other CONCACAF opponents thus far, and the emergence of two possible "matadors" in Clint Mathis and Josh Wolff shows the Americans are headed in the right direction.

The USA has a five point lead over Costa Rica and Mexico with seven games left to play, but the team only needs to finish in the top three to make the field for the Cup, so only a major collapse would deter a fourth consecutive trip to the biggest dance of them all.

Once there, will the U.S. team be able to run with the South American and European teams?

Will it be able to dethrone France and conquer juggernauts such as Italy, Germany, Argentina, and Brazil? Will old Jules come to the United States for the first time?

Probably not, but at least we still have the MLS.