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Landon Donovan Keen To Extend Soccer Hype From The World Cup In America
The United States sat up and took notice of the 2010 World Cup, much more so than any other soccer tournament previously. Nearly 25 million watched the final between Spain and Holland, a U.S. record for a soccer game.
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Jul 30, 2010 12:15:00 AM
By Zac Lee Rigg, with reporting by Matt Rybaltowsk
Following the tournament, U.S. star Landon Donovan went on a national TV tour, appearing on Good Morning America, the Late Show With David Letterman, and the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, among other programs.
But it's the reaction he's felt in packed stadiums that has most moved Donovan.
"I think the last year has been a big year for me and certainly after what happened in the World Cup I have seen a different reception in stadiums," the 28-year-old said after 70,000 fans gave him a rousing reception in Houston's Reliant Stadium when he entered the All-Star game. "It was nice tonight to get an ovation and realize that there is a lot of people following us."
The key now for Donovan is to maintain the World Cup buzz for as long as possible in the United States, helping MLS capitalize on the acceleration in popularity for soccer.
"The hope is to have momentum going as long as possible and with all these games that have been going on, the All-Star Game, you can tell there is excitement," Donovan said. "We went to D.C. last week with LA, you could tell there was excitement in the stadium just to have some of the World Cup players in the stadium. We want that to go as far as possible."
As MLS commissioner Don Garber pointed out, the All-Star attendance (the fourth highest All-Star attendance in America for any sport) benefited from riding the World Cup wake. Throngs poured forward to watch Mexican World Cup star Javier Hernandez make his debut for Manchester United, as well as U.S. stars Donovan and Edson Buddle.
Though the All-Star game appearance was Donovan's second in 24 hours and the MLS side lost 5-2 to Manchester United, the LA Galaxy captain enjoyed his night, mostly because of the fan support.
"For us, it's fun as players," Donovan said. "I was impressed with not only the number of people (in the stadium) but their knowledge tonight. It was a good spectacle to watch."
An even better spectacle was the World Cup. Though it was his third World Cup, Donovan is savoring the memories from South Africa, having lived the dream of every kid who kicks a soccer ball against a wall.
"Playing in the World Cup was a dream. From the time I was five years old I dreamed of playing in the World Cup, so it's hard to top that. The experience we had, the momentum that we have carried back from the World Cup is priceless. We've waited a long time for moments like this and now we have it."
But it's the reaction he's felt in packed stadiums that has most moved Donovan.
"I think the last year has been a big year for me and certainly after what happened in the World Cup I have seen a different reception in stadiums," the 28-year-old said after 70,000 fans gave him a rousing reception in Houston's Reliant Stadium when he entered the All-Star game. "It was nice tonight to get an ovation and realize that there is a lot of people following us."
The key now for Donovan is to maintain the World Cup buzz for as long as possible in the United States, helping MLS capitalize on the acceleration in popularity for soccer.
"The hope is to have momentum going as long as possible and with all these games that have been going on, the All-Star Game, you can tell there is excitement," Donovan said. "We went to D.C. last week with LA, you could tell there was excitement in the stadium just to have some of the World Cup players in the stadium. We want that to go as far as possible."
As MLS commissioner Don Garber pointed out, the All-Star attendance (the fourth highest All-Star attendance in America for any sport) benefited from riding the World Cup wake. Throngs poured forward to watch Mexican World Cup star Javier Hernandez make his debut for Manchester United, as well as U.S. stars Donovan and Edson Buddle.
Though the All-Star game appearance was Donovan's second in 24 hours and the MLS side lost 5-2 to Manchester United, the LA Galaxy captain enjoyed his night, mostly because of the fan support.
"For us, it's fun as players," Donovan said. "I was impressed with not only the number of people (in the stadium) but their knowledge tonight. It was a good spectacle to watch."
An even better spectacle was the World Cup. Though it was his third World Cup, Donovan is savoring the memories from South Africa, having lived the dream of every kid who kicks a soccer ball against a wall.
"Playing in the World Cup was a dream. From the time I was five years old I dreamed of playing in the World Cup, so it's hard to top that. The experience we had, the momentum that we have carried back from the World Cup is priceless. We've waited a long time for moments like this and now we have it."
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