LOS ANGELES - United States coach Peter Thorburn regretted not having a stronger build-up of warm-up matches for the World Cup when he announced his 30-man squad.
The US Eagles face a daunting task in France next month when they take on champions England and former winners
South Africa in the group phase.
"The programme we have been allowed to put together by USA Rugby has been as good a preparation as any non-professional team at the World Cup will have," Thorburn said in a statement.
"Perhaps, in hindsight, one or two more games together against stiff opposition would have sharpened up our team to a level we have to attain very promptly in France but, if we show the expected improvements, and we shall, then our performances will be our judgment."
The U.S., who produced their best World Cup campaign at the last edition in Australia in 2003, face England in their Pool A opener in Lens on September 8.
They take on Tonga in Montpellier four days later, play Western Samoa in St-Etienne on September 26 and end the group phase against the Springboks in Montpellier on September 30.
At the 2003 World Cup, the Eagles broke a 16-year victory drought with a 39-26 group win over Japan. They also came within a whisker of upsetting Fiji, losing by a point when their impressive first five-eighths Mike Hercus narrowly missed a sideline conversion.
The only other success achieved by the US in the sport's showpiece tournament came against the Japanese in 1987.
The US play their final warm-up game against Irish province Munster in Chicago on August 26.
Squad:
Forwards - Mike MacDonald, Matekitonga Moeakiola, Chris Osentowski, John Vitale, Blake Burdette, Owen Lentz, Luke Gross, Mike Mangan, Hayden Mexted, Alec Parker, Inaki Basauri, Mark Aylor, Tasi Mounga, Todd Clever, Dan Payne, Louis Stanfill, Henry Bloomfield
Backs - Chad Erskine, Mike Petri, Mike Hercus, Valenese Malifa, Phillip Eloff, Vaha Esikia, Thretton Palamo, Albert Tuipulotu, Paul Emerick, Takudzwa Ngwenya, Salesi Sika, Chris Wyles, Francois Viljoen.
- REUTERS
