For years, not everything has gone as planned at the U.S. finals. In Las Vegas at the WCG USA 2006 we witnessed the heavily favored Sean "DAy[9]" Plott overwhelmed against Geunhwa "lastgosu" Ralph - a result that left people wondering how a former cheater could take down such a legend in the states. Since then, the country has been the product of some very unexpected results.

The following year was no different except the field was even stronger in Orlando. The two favorites, Greg "IdrA" Fields and Tyler "NonY" Wasieleski did not even pass the group stage. The Seattle native Geoff "iNcontroL" Robinson seemed almost destined to win seeing how the grand finals were set to be held in his hometown. Still to this day that win was considered a fluke.

The professional takes a lesson from the amateurs...

Coming into Los Angeles, Fields and Wasieleski remained the heavy favorites. Fields was playing for CJ Entus in South Korea, so it seemed obvious that he would be well-prepared to receive that ticket to Germany. However, that would not be the case.

On Day 1 of competition Fields was eliminated. He dropped a total of four games to Wasieleski and Eric "G5" Rothmuller - both protoss users. After knowing that he had been eliminated, Fields remained motionless with eyes glaring directly at the screen hoping that he was stuck in a bad dream. Rothmuller stood up from his chair slowly, without even a hint of a smile. He did not want to win this way. He then walked over to his friend and whispered some words of encouragement into his ear before walking away.

Luck had fallen on the side of Wasieleski, the other favorite. He ended his reign on Day 1 without dropping a single game. He could not be stopped and the rest of the players knew it.

"NonY is just so good right now," said Dan "Artosis" Stemkoski. When asked who he thought was the best non-Korean player, he stated: "I am thinking it might be NonY."

The new American hope...

Wasieleski came to win, there is no doubting that. Having come from a strong athletic background, he was taught that preparation and confidence produce winners, and win he has done.

"Americans can easily look toward professional athletes in sports," Wasieleski states. "You can try to think about what it's like to play a pickup soccer game and then what it's like for a professional soccer player to play soccer...you have to shift your mindset."

Part of his success stems from his practice routine. He not only incorporates mass gaming into his regiment, he also spends a lot of time working out builds in the single player campaign and watching videos of the professionals. This type of intense training is relatively uncommon outside of the professional's practice area.

"When your really trying to go pro it is about getting a professional mindset," said Wasieleski. "Your not playing the game necessarily to have fun...you're training."

His dominance at the U.S. finals and win at the Spirit Tournament has lofted him to the highest echelon of non-Korean talent, a place where the likes of Christoph "Mondragon" Semke and Krzysztof "Draco" Nalepka have dominated for years.

With a victory at the Spirit Tournament and WCG USA, there is not much more standing in his way other than Germany in November and hopefully South Korea later in the year.

Where does the American StarCraft scene go from here...

This belief that Americans actually do care about StarCraft has been solidified. They are not only passionate about the game, they possess one of the strongest pools of talent in the world.

As been the norm for years, some will turn their focus toward other interests while others will continue to train to perhaps make their case at next years event.

With a Wasieleski victory, the Americans, for the most part finally have a competitor that they're proud to have represent their country.