The US men's national football (soccer) team head coach Bruce Arena defended his team's poor record against European sides since he took over back in 1998, and was backed by Major League Soccer player Landon Donovan.

Just a few days before USA's opening match in Gelsenkirchen on Monday against the Czech Republic, the Team USA coach appeared confident about his team's progress during the training camp.

"We can play with anyone in the world on a given day," Bruce Arena said, pointing to the win against Poland in a March International friendly match in Germany. "I don't think we struggle in Europe."

"We realise we are playing against big names from big clubs but we've learned from the past they are just players, like we are."

"Regardless of the opponents, whether they have a pretty good pedigree with players from teams like AC Milan or whatever, that doesn't concern us at all. I think we'll see some of the big boys will be going home early," he added.

LA Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan was also in the press conference and stood by his manager. "It doesn't really matter to me who we are playing or where," the player said.

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