June 14 2014

Gregg Berhalter and Tony Popovic

Mile Jedinak became the latest Crystal Palace player to feature in a World Cup. But who are the others?

Gregg Berhalter (2002, South Korea and Japan)

Gregg Berhalter made history by becoming the first Crystal Palace star to play at a World Cup finals.

In 2002, the US made it to the knockout stages of the competition after a shock 3-2 win over Portugal then a 1-1 draw against South Korea - even though they lost their final group match 2-1 to Poland.

Berhalter came in to replace the injured Jeff Agoos for the 2-0 second round win over Mexico as the States reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 1930.

But their World Cup dream was over after opponents Germany claimed a narrow 1-0 victory. Berhalter had a "goal" cleared off the line by a defender's hand which denied the US a deserved equaliser.

"It was clearly a hand ball, but it's up to the referee to see it and give a penalty," said Berhalter. "I'm really disappointed because it would have been a huge goal for the whole team, but he didn't see it and that's football.

"I missed the group games which was disappointing, but I played the two most important games, and we played a really good tournament, so I am really pleased. Hopefully we will have inspired the younger generation to start playing soccer."

Clinton Morrison travelled with the Ireland squad to the Japan and Korea finals. But the striker didn't play and the Irish were dramatically knocked at the first knockout stage on penalties to Spain.

Tony Popovic (2006, Germany)

Australia's Tony Popovic made his World Cup debut against Brazil at the Germany finals in 2006.

The defender was on the bench for his nation's 3-1 group victory over Japan. Boss Guus Hiddink then rested the four Aussies booked from that game for their next fixture against Brazil which handed Popovic his chance.

At the time, Popovic was thrilled to play against the Samba Stars.

"When you watch Brazil on TV against Croatia it's in some ways hard to imagine that we'll be actually walking out against them," he said.

"Normally at this time of the year you're on holidays with your family and watching it on TV. Sometimes you have to pinch yourself, but it will soon be a reality."

However, he hobbled off with a calf injury five minutes before half-time and his World Cup was over. Popovic had been plagued with calf and back problems which forced him to miss much of Palace's 2005/06 season.

The Aussies lost 2-0 to Brazil and drew 2-2 against Croatia in their next match to make it to the second stage. But the Socceroos were knocked out by eventual winners Italy.

Popovic was released by Palace a month later after manager Peter Taylor decided he wasn't in his plans and he signed for Al Arabi, in Qatar.