Tom Dooley is aiming to be in a position to hold up his head after he has led the United States into their opening World Cup assignment against Germany in the Parc des Princes this evening.

Dooley, a naturalised American who was born in Germany, gives no hint of surrender on the eve of his side's most important game since elimination by Brazil in the second phase of the 1994 championship.

"It's going to be a lot closer than many people expect and if we get lucky, particularly early on, there is no reason why we can't win it," he said. "Playing against Germany, will be no big problem for me. My loyalty is to the American team. Nobody will be trying harder to ensure that they don't have the type of start they probably take for granted."

After many false dawns, there is evidence that the Americans are adjusting to the demands of international football. And in Steve Sampson, their coach, they appear to have found the ideal man to build on the achievements of his predecessor, Bora Milutinovic.

In contrast to some of the great German teams of the past, this one is short of obvious match-winners. Jurgen Klinsmann, so often inspirational in the past, is now distinctly fallible.

And even in defence, where proficiency has been a byword for German teams at times of World Cup competition, there has been cause for concern in recent games.

"We're still working on that side of our game but I think we've now nearly got it right," said coach Berti Vogts. "This time, there is not the pressure of other finals, when everybody expected us to reach the semi-finals. And that will work in our favour."

For all the uncertainty, it is difficult to see players such as Jurgen Kohler and Olaf Thon affording the Americans much space up front. And in attack, the skills of Oliver Bierhoff and, possibly, Klinsmann should see off the Americans.