If I told you 10 years ago the United States have the potential of making it out of a World Cup group consisting of Italy, the Czech Republic and Ghana, you most likely would have laughed at me -- and rightfully so.

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This was a team that couldn’t even pick up a single point in the group stage in the 1998 World Cup in France. But in the 2002 World Cup, the United States opened the eyes of many by advancing all the way to the quarterfinals, where they were narrowly knocked out by eventual runner-ups Germany 1-0.

Since then, the Americans have not slowed down one bit. Led by young talented stars like DaMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan and veterans such as Brian McBride and Claudio Reyna, the United States rapidly moved up to fourth on the FIFA World Rankings, while along the way, winning the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying group for the first time in their history.

But coming into this year’s World Cup, there’s good news and there’s bad news for the United States. The good, just making it into the second round will be a huge achievement and should prove to the world they should be taken seriously. The bad news: the teams they will have to play in the opening-round.

The Americans have been placed in one of the tournament’s tougher groups with powerhouse Italy, the Czech Republic -- who are ranked second in the world -- and newcomers Ghana. They will face an arduous task of making it to the second round.

The United States sit at 8/5 odds to advance to the second round, while the Italians are favored at 1/5 odds to move on and the Czech Republic has been pegged at 1/2 odds to advance. Ghana is the least likely to make it out of the group at 3/1 odds. (Canbet.com)

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Despite being in such a tough group and having the odds against them, the Americans should not be counted out. Any slip by the Italians or the Czechs could open the door for the U.S.

The Azzurri, who are known for their slow starts, open the tournament against Ghana, a team many have predicted to be this year’s Senegal. A Ghana victory or draw would be huge for the Americans. That would then make the USA’s second match on June 17th against Italy a very significant one which could decide their fate in the group standings and their mark on the world radar.