Bet American in the 2011 Women's World Cup

Are you sensing a theme here?

After Rory McIlroy completely put to bed any thought of an American winning the U.S. Open, we're looking for any sport we can find in which betting on Americans is a fruitful proposition. And thus we turn to the 2011 Women's World Cup.

It's been a long time since Brandi Chastain took her shirt off for the good of her sport, increasing the popularity of girl's soccer tenfold. Since that 1999 win by the United States, the liberty ladies have not hoisted the cup trophy.

We're betting that that changes in 2011.

The complete odds to win the 2011 Women's World Cup, which begins Sunday in Germany, are below:

Germany... 6/5
Brazil... 5/1
USA... 5/1
Sweden... 12/1
England... 14/1
Japan... 14/1
Norway... 16/1
France... 22/1
Canada... 28/1
North Korea... 28/1
Australia... 40/1
Mexico... 66/1
Colombia... 80/1
New Zealand... 100/1
Nigeria... 150/1
Equatorial Guinea... 500/1

Naturally, the host Germans are the favorites to win, but that just serves to give more value to the Americans at 5/1 odds. The 2011 squad is the best that the U.S. has fielded since 1999--and perhaps are even better. Our money is on the good ole US of A.

And if this fails, hopefully once we blow our hands off on the upcoming July 4th holiday, our desire to continue to bet on our home country in obscure sporting events dwindles.

Bet American in the 2011 U.S. Open

No, this is not our version of a patriotic plea to support our home country. It's simply, in our view, the right play at this year's U.S. Open. An American will take this year's U.S. Open, which begins today for all you casual golf fans out here.

Take a look at the odds for some of the top golfers in the the 2011 U.S. Open golf tournament:

Lee Westwood 12/1
Luke Donald 12/1
Phil Mickelson 12/1
Rory McIlroy 16/1
Dustin Johnson 20/1
Steve Stricker 20/1
K.J. Choi 22/1
Matt Kuchar 22/1
Hunter Mahan 25/1
Nick Watney 25/1
Martin Kaymer 28/1
Bubba Watson 33/1
Adam Scott 40/1
Jason Day 40/1
Graeme McDowell 45/1
Brandt Snedeker 50/1
Charl Schwartzel 50/1
David Toms 50/1
Ian Poulter 50/1
Jim Furyk 50/1
Padraig Harrington 50/1
Retief Goosen 50/1
Rickie Fowler 50/1
Robert Karlsson 50/1

As you can see, there are plenty of Americans flying under the radar, including our two favorite picks (both featured in the above video), Bubba Watson (33/1) and Rickie Fowler (50/1), if he can get out of Hollister long enough to compete.

Young golfers like Fowler have been having more and more success on the big stage, and we expect another youngster to take the cake in Tiger Woods' absence in this major. Otherwise, we like the 30-something-year-old Watson, whose long drives make him a match for this freakishly long course. While all eyes are on a different lefty, Watson will emerge this weekend on the first Father's Day since his dad's death.

Either way, we are in for an entertaining weekend of golf action.