Team USA showing in 2010 World cup should be a boon for America's hardest working team

One goal by Landon Donovan against Algeria in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa this past Wednesday has forever changed the fate of soccer in the US. If there was ever a time for the American public to rally around a sport that has been perennially overlooked in this nation, now would be that time. And as America's hardest working team, the Columbus Crew, owners of Major League Soccer's best record, should be one of the biggest beneficiaries of this new spotlight. The Crew often have to take a backseat to the other major sports in this town, namely Ohio State football, and the town's hockey franchise, the Columbus Blue Jackets. But with football more than a couple of months away, and the hockey season over too, all eyes are on the World Cup. However it ends for the US, one thing is for certain, all the buzz surrounding the tournament should lead more people to tune into soccer. And that is where the Crew has a major oppportunity to cash in. Not only are they in first place, but the Columbus Crew also have World Cup talent on their roster in Frankie Hejduk and Guillermos Barros Scholetto. They have history on their side as well, having won their first Major League Soccer Championship in 2008. And the experience of watching a game at Columbus Crew Stadium is something very few fans will forget. It has to be one of the more aesthetically appealing stadiums across the nation, even if it is by no means among the largest. Team USA has already surpassed most experts expectations for where they would finish in the 2010 FIFA World Cup from South Africa. Now all the Crew can do is sit back and hope that in a month the increased world exposure of their sport will also lead to increased local support of their team.