USA stars 'making waves on the continent'

Wednesday 20th January 2010

The USA's role in football - or soccer - has progressed significantly in recent years, reports FIFA. European football is increasingly seeing USA exports among starting line-ups, with Landon Donovan's appearances for Everton a recent example. His second on-loan stint in Europe has proved more successful than his previous period spent with Bayern Munich, where Donovan was unable to get much action in the first team. "If you go abroad, you need to play," he reportedly said at the FIFA Confederations Cup. "You don't help yourself or the national team by going to Europe and sitting on the bench," he added at the South Africa-hosted tournament. Donovan is a near-cert to return to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup, representing the 1994 hosts in their bid for glory. Anyone who wants to share in their bid might want to consider placing a bet on the USA for World Cup legendary status, with the country at odds of between 50/1 and 80/1 at the UK bookmakers.