USA: Landon Donovan

Consider the most notable American players of the past decade and perhaps Alexi Lalas and Cobi Jones come to mind.

Not perhaps great footballers, and their records outside Major League Soccer are testament to that, but what crazy dudes and what radical hairstyles!

The US remain on a learning curve when it comes to the sport they refuse to call football, and have gone past the first round of the World Cup just once in their past three appearances.

In the land so gripped by its insularly-played sports, ‘soccer’ is at risk of a slide in popularity should Bruce Arena’s team not show signs of arresting that form.

Yet as they prepare for a fourth successive appearance on football’s biggest stage, the USA look to have uncovered a genuine star, a real potential world-beater.

San Jose Earthquake’s 20-year-old striker Landon Donovan is the youthful spearhead of Arena’s team.

He goes to the Far East aiming to shoot the Americans into the second round and win himself a second shot at a career in European football.

Donovan was just 18 when he scored on his debut for the senior national team in their 2-0 win over Mexico.

He made his name at Redlands High School, was selected for the All-American team and soon came to the attention of Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen.

But while his time in Germany with Leverkusen’s reserves proved a valuable experience, his desire for first-team football led to player and club agreeing a deal for Donovan to move back to America.

The Germans allowed a loan move which allowed him to bypass the MLS draft system and Donovan seized his chance at San Jose with both hands.

A prolific scorer through each age group for the United States, Donovan’s international bow saw him net once and claim an assist.

He is reckoned to be the best young American to have ever been produced, but that tag has been an inspiration for the California-born youngster.

‘‘I don’t see it as pressure,’’ he said.

‘‘I have fun and enjoy what I do. It’s nice to hear all those things, it’s nice to feel confident.

‘‘Obviously, going to the World Cup, the main goal is to win.’’

Donovan does have tournament experience which belies his age.

He was a major force for the young US side which made the last four at the Under-17 World Cup in New Zealand three years ago.

With the likes of Earnest Stewart and Josh Wolff also in contention to start in attack, Donovan is playing down his chances of making an impact.

But he has yards more pace than that pair and is a weapon with a cutting edge.

‘‘We don’t want to sell ourselves short, but to get through the group stage would be an achievement,’’ he said.

‘‘Whether I play or not is not important; it’ll be a good experience whatever.

‘‘I just want America to be successful.’’