The U.S. men's soccer team was ready to revel a little against Costa Rica. The team hoped to play with abandon and relief, having already clinched a 2010 World Cup spot -- an amazing sixth consecutive invitation for the country soccer supposedly forgot.

But nothing ever comes easy for this team. The good news of a 3-2 victory in Honduras on Saturday night was followed by the bad news of Charlie Davies' car accident Tuesday in the Washington area. Davies was hospitalized. A 22-year-old female passenger was killed.

U.S. players won't be in the mood to celebrate knowing that their teammate is recovering from surgery and a family is mourning the loss of a loved one.

Davies, an emerging star forward, sustained serious injuries, but this trauma is more than a physical one for him.

FIGHT THROUGH SETBACKS

His teammates must carry on. It's another setback for a team that has fought through many.

At least the pressure is off the U.S. team Wednesday night against Costa Rica at RFK Stadium.

Or is it only beginning to build?

The U.S. team crosses the finish line of the World Cup qualification marathon not with a do-or-die game but with plenty at stake. A victory would guarantee first place in the CONCACAF region group, which boosts legitimacy. There is even talk that the United States, ranked No. 11 in the world, might be considered for one of eight seeds when the World Cup draw is held Dec. 4.

No matter what happens, expectations will continue to grow over the next eight months for the most talented team the United States has fielded in modern times.

The pressure peaks in South Africa in June. Will this World Cup yield another breakthrough, as in 2002, when the United States beat archrival Mexico and advanced to the quarterfinals? Or will the Americans bomb out as they did in 2006, when they managed only four shots on goal in two losses -- to the Czech Republic and Ghana -- and a tie with Italy?

SIGNIFICANT VICTORY

U.S. soccer loyalists know it's a rough road following this team. They couldn't even watch the 3-2 victory over Honduras on their home TVs. They had to search it out on closed circuit in a bar someplace.

Yet, the victory in San Pedro Sula was significant. The United States won on the road in an unforgiving environment against a highly motivated side that was 8-0 in qualifying matches at its noisy stadium.

The United States, a team with a bad habit of giving up early goals and not recovering, again fell behind, but not until the second half. This time, the U.S. team didn't panic, but attacked, scoring three consecutive goals and avoiding a tie when Honduras missed a penalty kick in the 86th minute.

The Yanks played savvy soccer. We didn't see the heavy-footed, cautious game plan, for which coach Bob Bradley has been criticized. In fact, Bradley looked smart in going with Conor Casey instead of Jozy Altidore. Casey scored his first two international goals and showcased the fact that the U.S. team at last has a variety of offensive weapons to accompany the stalwart play of Tim Howard in goal.

Landon Donovan looks more mature than ever. If only he can remain consistent.

Bradley faces question marks on a shaky defense and will experiment with a deep midfield as he prepares for South Africa.

But there is no question the U.S. team has elevated its game and profile. The Confederations Cup performance -- a victory over No. 1 Spain and a first-half lead over Brazil -- brought a major leap in respect.

``We're getting there,'' Donovan said.

Defender Oguchi Onyewu reflects the status of the U.S. team. He signed with AC Milan this summer, becoming the only American in Italy's Serie A. His presence on the roster of one of the world's glam clubs is further proof of U.S. advancement in the world's most popular sport. But Onyewu is struggling to earn minutes with the Rossoneri -- as is Altidore at Hull.

``I went to Italy expecting it to be a difficult process,'' Onyewu said last week while training in Miami. ``My playing time has decreased significantly but I'm sure my time will come.''

Howard, a starter for Everton, has seen the attitude toward American players change during his seven years in Europe as more choose international clubs over the security of starring roles in Major League Soccer.

``More of our players are taking risks, even though making the jump overseas is not easy,'' Howard said. ``Those experiences will help them grow, along with American soccer.''

Last week in Miami, Davies also spoke optimistically about the transformation of the U.S. team. He chose to go to Europe and play for French team Sochaux.

``The mentality among us has changed,'' he said. ``If we're all playing on the same page there's no reason we can't win a World Cup.

``Depends on whether we're going to be the team that beat Spain or blew a lead against Mexico.''

Let's hope Davies can rejoin his teammates and solidify the identity of the U.S. team.

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