Donovan: Atmosphere Wasn’t A Factor In Costa Rica Loss

Los Angeles Galaxy star and USMNT stalwart Landon Donavan has proclaimed that the hostile environment in Costa Rica didn’t bother the team.

Jun 5, 2009 3:31:23 PM

More On :  USA
Landon Donovan - Costa Rica-USA (Mexsport)

The atmosphere at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa in San Jose, Costa Rica is always rocking, always loud, and always intimidating.

Not if you’re Landon Donovan, however.

The U.S. International forward stated after the game that the intense atmosphere at the stadium wasn’t to blame for his team’s poor showing...it was team’s sloppy play and nothing else.

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“The environment had nothing to do with us playing a few short goals, getting picked off and then getting scored on,” said Donovan. “That had nothing to do with it. Maybe we thought the game was going to look different and we should have played a bit safer earlier on.”

Down 2-0 in under 20 minutes, the U.S. were up against it from the start. The deficit, according to Donovan became an almost insurmountable one after the second goal went in.

“Anytime you give a team a goal advantage in the first few minutes, it’s going to be tough,” said Donovan of the position the U.S. put themselves in Especially as the visiting team. We made it harder by allowing them to score the second goal, and that dictated the game.”

A much better performance will be needed by Donovan and co. As they get set to take on a very tricky Honduras side on Saturday night in Chicago. The 2008 MLS Golden Boot winner knows what his side need to do to get ready for the clash.

“We to learn from tonight. The most important thing is getting over it as quickly as possible and learning from it. We have three days to physically turn it around against a very good team who have been resting and preparing for us all week.”

Since playing his first match with the U.S. In 2000, Donovan has appeared 109 times for his country, scoring 37 goals.

Shane Evans, Goal.com

For more on the U.S. National Team visit Goal.com's U.S. National Team page.

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