Oct. 13, 2009

ST. LOUIS - Former Billiken and current U.S. Men's National Team assistant coach Mike Sorber helped the USMNT qualify for the 2010 South Africa FIFA World Cup. Sorber, who is in his second year as an assistant coach under Bob Bradley, was on the sidelines during the Americans' 3-2 triumph in Honduras last Saturday.

"On behalf of Saint Louis University men's soccer, I would like to congratulate the U.S. Soccer Federation for qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa," SLU head coach Dan Donigan said. "Every fan who follows our national team through qualifying knew how much was at stake, and it was awesome to see the effort pay off for the national team. We are fortunate to still have Mike involved in our program as a volunteer assistant coach as all our players benefit from the experience he brings to the program. Although it's an entirely different level comparing World Cup play to intercollegiate soccer, it is still soccer and the concepts are the same. Mike has added a tremendous value to our program over the years, and we are extremely happy for him and U.S. Soccer."

It has been an eventful 2009 for Sorber and the U.S. Men's National Team. In July, Sorber helped guide the U.S. to a stunning upset of world No. 1 Spain in the Confederations Cup in South Africa. Sorber and the U.S. are preparing for Wednesday's qualification match against Costa Rica at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. Depending on the outcome of other qualification matches, the U.S. could finish first in the CONCACAF region qualifying.

Former Billikens have been a part of the last four FIFA World Cups. Sorber played for the U.S. in 1994, starting all four of the Americans' matches on their home soil. Billiken alum Brian McBride represented the U.S. in the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cup.