~ Arena cautioned against unrealistic expectations.

NEW YORK -- Having taken the United States to the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals, Bruce Arena dismisses talk that the next step is for the Americans to advance to the semifinals at next year's tournament in Germany.

"Let's face it, this is a difficult challenge for Brazil, the favorite, as it is for anybody," Arena said. "For everyone in our country to really think that the next logical step is the semifinals really doesn't understand what this challenge is all about."

After missing soccer's top event from 1950 to 1986, the Americans will be going to the World Cup for the fifth straight time. They are eighth in the FIFA rankings heading into Friday's World Cup draw, although they didn't get at top seed and are an 80-1 long shot to win the title for the first time, according to British bookmaker William Hill.

After finishing last among the 32 nations at the 1998 tournament in France, the United States was losing to Poland in its final first-round game of 2002 and 20 minutes away from elimination before South Korea scored against Portugal. The Americans then beat Mexico 2-0 in the second round and outplayed Germany for much of the quarterfinal, losing 1-0.

"We're in a country that likes winners," Arena said during a telephone interview this week. "We like to label ourselves world champions in everything we do. ... But the reality of things in international sport is this is the most difficult team championship to win, the most difficult world championship to accomplish.

"To qualify is a great accomplishment for the U.S. at this time in our development. To get out of group play is fantastic and to do anything further is absolutely superb. That's the message that people need to understand."

His core group from 2002 remains, with Brian McBride and Landon Donovan up front, Claudio Reyna and DaMarcus Beasley in midfield. Kasey Keller took over in goal from Brad Friedel, who retired from the national team, and wound up as the team's player of the year.

Oguchi Onyewu, a 6-foot-4 defender, has emerged on the back line, where Gregg Berhalter, Frankie Hejduk and Steve Cherundolo also are key components. Eddie Lewis has been moved from midfield to left back, and youngsters such as Bobby Convey, Chris Albright and Clint Dempsey got in qualifiers.

Eddie Johnson, who is just 21, scored eight goals in his first eight international appearances before hurting a toe, an injury that kept him out for most of this year.

Under Arena, who replaced Steve Sampson after the 1998 debacle, the U.S. team has become more of a professional organization, adding coaches and staff.

"I truly believe that the professionalism off the field allowed the players to focus on the field and not be distracted by little things," U.S. Soccer Federation president Bob Contiguglia said.

The Americans are 1-7-2 under Arena in Europe. Then again, the record includes losses to Brazil, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, all world powers.

"We made a big jump in 2002. The question is can we do it again?" Arena said. "And as I say that, remember the teams that didn't get out of group play last time, such as the defending champion, France, one of the tournament favorites, Argentina, etc. So to be able to get out of group play in two consecutive World Cups would be a great accomplishment for U.S. soccer."