World Cup Record: Semi-Finals 1930

Manager: Bob Bradley
Key Player: Landon Donovan
Qualified: 1st CONCACAF
Odds: 66/1

This will be the ninth time the United States has reached the World Cup finals, although their best performance remains the third place spot they secured in the first World Cup in Uruguay 1930. A fairly straight-forward qualifying campaign saw the Stars and Stripes finish top of the CONCACAF section ahead of Mexico, Honduras and Costa Rica. A number of the US squad will be familiar to Premier League fans with the likes of Tim Howard, Marcus Hahnemann, Jonathan Spector, Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey all playing in England’s top division. The USA will have good memories of South Africa when they return in 2010, having reached the final of the 2009 Confederations Cup there.They lost the final 3-2 to Brazil but on the way shocked European Champions Spain with a 2-0 win.

Landon Donovan

Age: 28
Position: Centre Forward/ Attacking Midfielder
Club: LA Galaxy (USA – MLS)
Caps: 120 (42 goals)

Hit the headlines in the summer of 2009 after criticising LA Galaxy team-mate, David Beckham for his commitment (or lack of) to the MLS team. However, Donovan’s career deserves more than a mere mention as a sidenote in a Beckham escapade. At 28 he has already notched up 120 caps and more than 40 international goals and his consistency helped Galaxy to the MLS Final in 2009 – although they lost on penalties to Real Salt Lake. Donovan also spent 4 seasons with German Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen from 2001-2005 and a short spell on loan at Bayern Munich in 2009. Playing either as an outright striker or a link between the front men and midfield, Donovan’s drive and leadership will form the backbone of the USA’s World Cup assault.