Now, only days past his 23rd birthday, he might get a chance to start in his team's tournament opener against the Czech Republic on June 12.
About a year ago, Convey discussed his future with United States coach Bruce Arena during a team charter flight, a talk Arena hoped would spur the ambitious midfielder into becoming a more complete player.
"Bruce likes to take credit for a lot of things. I think we all know that," Convey said Sunday. "I think he knows that I like to prove people wrong, including him. He just challenged me, and it was a good thing."
Long before Freddy Adu, Convey was the youngest player in MLS, only 16 when he signed with D.C. United in 2000.
He was also the youngest player on the U.S. roster for the 1999 FIFA Under-17 World Championship, where he was teammates with Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley and Oguchi Onyewu - all likely starters for the World Cup opener.
THINKING AHEAD: Argentina and the Netherlands are the favorites in Group C, and Serbia-Montenegro is the heir to Yugoslavia's tough, technical approach.
Argentina defender Gabriel Milito thinks Ivory Coast is the team that could cause an upset, however.
The Elephants, who reached the final at this year's African Cup of Nations, are loaded with top players, and the talent is repeatedly being mentioned by Argentine players as they prepare for the group opener against the Ivorians on June 10.
"We know the Ivory Coast has a very good team, important players who play on important teams in Europe," Milito said "We don't think in any way that it's going to be easy. It's going to be as tough as any game in the group."
The team's top player is Chelsea forward Didier Drogba. Two other English Premier League players anchor the defense - Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue, both of Arsenal.
"They were second in their continental championship, and that tells you a lot," Milito said.
TOO COLD: Springtime in Europe is proving to be too cold for some of Angola's players.
"It's supposed to be hot here this time of year," said Luis Delgado, who is with his team in Celle, Germany. "Since we've been here, some days have been warm but most have been cold. Today it's cold and I don't like it."
Temperatures in Germany have been unseasonably cold this year - with snow in some parts of the country. But summer, which will start in about two weeks, can't come quickly enough for Delgado, who plays Petro de Luanda in Angola.
"I'm used to playing in a tropical climate," he said, referring to the southwest African country which is generally hot and humid.
But he said the welcome Angola received from the people of Celle, where the Black Antelopes have been training since its arrival on May 19, had made up for the cold weather.
"We've received a really warm welcome from the people here in Celle," Delgado said. "I didn't expect people to be so friendly."
Angola is one of five African teams at the World Cup and will face former colonial power Portugal, Iran and Mexico in Group D. Togo, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Tunisia are also in Germany for the tournament.
AT HOME AWAY: Portugal appeared to be arriving for a home game when the squad's plane touched down at Munster airport Sunday.
More than 1,000 Portuguese fans jammed into the small airport, waving flags and honking horns as the aircraft landed.
The team bus squeezed slowly through the cheering crowd, which was colored red and green by dozens of Portuguese flags and national team soccer jerseys.
About 100 supporters on motorcycles, many flying flags, and dozens of hooting cars trailed the bus to Portugal's World Cup base at Marienfeld, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) away.
Tens of thousands of Portuguese immigrants work in Germany.
DREAMS COME TRUE: Carlos Salcido was washing cars in the streets of Guadalajara about 10 years ago and, like many young Mexicans, dreamed of playing for Mexico's national soccer team at the World Cup.
The defender is on the verge of making his dream come true in Germany.
"I worked washing cars, in ironworks and stores, but soccer changed my life completely," said Salcido, who is expected to start in Mexico's opening World Cup match against Iran next Sunday. "My immediate goal has been fulfilled: to play for my country at a World Cup."
Mexico will also face Portugal and Iran in Group D and is expected to again advance to the second round. Four years ago, the Mexicans lost to the United States in the round of 16.
About a year ago, Convey discussed his future with United States coach Bruce Arena during a team charter flight, a talk Arena hoped would spur the ambitious midfielder into becoming a more complete player.
"Bruce likes to take credit for a lot of things. I think we all know that," Convey said Sunday. "I think he knows that I like to prove people wrong, including him. He just challenged me, and it was a good thing."
Long before Freddy Adu, Convey was the youngest player in MLS, only 16 when he signed with D.C. United in 2000.
He was also the youngest player on the U.S. roster for the 1999 FIFA Under-17 World Championship, where he was teammates with Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley and Oguchi Onyewu - all likely starters for the World Cup opener.
THINKING AHEAD: Argentina and the Netherlands are the favorites in Group C, and Serbia-Montenegro is the heir to Yugoslavia's tough, technical approach.
Argentina defender Gabriel Milito thinks Ivory Coast is the team that could cause an upset, however.
The Elephants, who reached the final at this year's African Cup of Nations, are loaded with top players, and the talent is repeatedly being mentioned by Argentine players as they prepare for the group opener against the Ivorians on June 10.
"We know the Ivory Coast has a very good team, important players who play on important teams in Europe," Milito said "We don't think in any way that it's going to be easy. It's going to be as tough as any game in the group."
The team's top player is Chelsea forward Didier Drogba. Two other English Premier League players anchor the defense - Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue, both of Arsenal.
"They were second in their continental championship, and that tells you a lot," Milito said.
TOO COLD: Springtime in Europe is proving to be too cold for some of Angola's players.
"It's supposed to be hot here this time of year," said Luis Delgado, who is with his team in Celle, Germany. "Since we've been here, some days have been warm but most have been cold. Today it's cold and I don't like it."
Temperatures in Germany have been unseasonably cold this year - with snow in some parts of the country. But summer, which will start in about two weeks, can't come quickly enough for Delgado, who plays Petro de Luanda in Angola.
"I'm used to playing in a tropical climate," he said, referring to the southwest African country which is generally hot and humid.
But he said the welcome Angola received from the people of Celle, where the Black Antelopes have been training since its arrival on May 19, had made up for the cold weather.
"We've received a really warm welcome from the people here in Celle," Delgado said. "I didn't expect people to be so friendly."
Angola is one of five African teams at the World Cup and will face former colonial power Portugal, Iran and Mexico in Group D. Togo, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Tunisia are also in Germany for the tournament.
AT HOME AWAY: Portugal appeared to be arriving for a home game when the squad's plane touched down at Munster airport Sunday.
More than 1,000 Portuguese fans jammed into the small airport, waving flags and honking horns as the aircraft landed.
The team bus squeezed slowly through the cheering crowd, which was colored red and green by dozens of Portuguese flags and national team soccer jerseys.
About 100 supporters on motorcycles, many flying flags, and dozens of hooting cars trailed the bus to Portugal's World Cup base at Marienfeld, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) away.
Tens of thousands of Portuguese immigrants work in Germany.
DREAMS COME TRUE: Carlos Salcido was washing cars in the streets of Guadalajara about 10 years ago and, like many young Mexicans, dreamed of playing for Mexico's national soccer team at the World Cup.
The defender is on the verge of making his dream come true in Germany.
"I worked washing cars, in ironworks and stores, but soccer changed my life completely," said Salcido, who is expected to start in Mexico's opening World Cup match against Iran next Sunday. "My immediate goal has been fulfilled: to play for my country at a World Cup."
Mexico will also face Portugal and Iran in Group D and is expected to again advance to the second round. Four years ago, the Mexicans lost to the United States in the round of 16.
