|
|
Landon Donovan Revels In Culmination Of Qualification Process
Heading into his third World Cup, Landon Donovan reveled in the culmination of an arduous qualification process.
Oct 11, 2009 4:04:49 AM
SAN PEDRO SULA -- Landon Donovan first competed in the World Cup as a precocious 20-year-old in 2002. After helping the United States seal qualification for South Africa 2010, he's headed for his third round at the big show. But the Los Angeles Galaxy attacker isn't jaded.
"It never gets old," Donovan told the American press outside the U.S. locker rooms.
"The thing about qualifying is that it's not just this game, it's the end of a long road. It's a long grind. It's relief, joy, and happiness."
The final game was a nervy, end-to-end affair that was ultimately decided by a skied penalty miss by Donovan's former teammate, Carlos Pavon. But before that the U.S. came back from a goal down to score three unanswered goals.
"This was a culmination of a long learning process and we played a mature, experienced, hard-fought 90 minutes that we haven't done in our other road qualifiers," Donovan said of the scrappy performance. "We're very proud of this."
The 27-year-old will also be proud of his scorching free kick that turned out to be the game winner. Just off to the left of the goal, Donovan smashed a dipping, knuckling free kick that caught Noel Valladares completely off guard to score the Americans' third of the night.
"I took a look at the wall, and I stood behind the ball, so I could tell [Valladares] couldn't see the ball," Donovan explained. "So I just wanted to hit it hard at the back post. He took a step the wrong way and at that point it's too late."
Honduras fought back mightily, but eventually succumbed to failed chances. Now, with one more game left in CONCACAF qualifying, the U.S. can take it easy when it hosts Costa Rica in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.
"You don't want to go into the last game leaving anything to chance," Donovan said. "As we see around the world, in the qualifiers today, anything can happen in one soccer game. We didn't want to leave that opportunity open. It's nice to get it done and over with."
His main memory of the country of Honduras will likely be the win, but Donovan also pointed out how impressed he was with the country's people, currently being torn apart by political turmoil.
"The Honduran people that I've been around in America and my time here, they're very respectful people," Donovan said. "They're very down to earth, very humble. Even after as we were walking off, a few of them were clapping. I was very impressed with the people here."
Noah Davis, Goal.com, with assistance from Zac Lee Rigg in Los Angeles
Visit the U.S. national team page on Goal.com for more
"It never gets old," Donovan told the American press outside the U.S. locker rooms.
"The thing about qualifying is that it's not just this game, it's the end of a long road. It's a long grind. It's relief, joy, and happiness."
The final game was a nervy, end-to-end affair that was ultimately decided by a skied penalty miss by Donovan's former teammate, Carlos Pavon. But before that the U.S. came back from a goal down to score three unanswered goals.
"This was a culmination of a long learning process and we played a mature, experienced, hard-fought 90 minutes that we haven't done in our other road qualifiers," Donovan said of the scrappy performance. "We're very proud of this."
The 27-year-old will also be proud of his scorching free kick that turned out to be the game winner. Just off to the left of the goal, Donovan smashed a dipping, knuckling free kick that caught Noel Valladares completely off guard to score the Americans' third of the night.
"I took a look at the wall, and I stood behind the ball, so I could tell [Valladares] couldn't see the ball," Donovan explained. "So I just wanted to hit it hard at the back post. He took a step the wrong way and at that point it's too late."
Honduras fought back mightily, but eventually succumbed to failed chances. Now, with one more game left in CONCACAF qualifying, the U.S. can take it easy when it hosts Costa Rica in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.
"You don't want to go into the last game leaving anything to chance," Donovan said. "As we see around the world, in the qualifiers today, anything can happen in one soccer game. We didn't want to leave that opportunity open. It's nice to get it done and over with."
His main memory of the country of Honduras will likely be the win, but Donovan also pointed out how impressed he was with the country's people, currently being torn apart by political turmoil.
"The Honduran people that I've been around in America and my time here, they're very respectful people," Donovan said. "They're very down to earth, very humble. Even after as we were walking off, a few of them were clapping. I was very impressed with the people here."
Noah Davis, Goal.com, with assistance from Zac Lee Rigg in Los Angeles
Visit the U.S. national team page on Goal.com for more
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
-
McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.