The Most Unlikable Man in US Soccer…but he’s right

I'm No Fan of Landon Donovan

I'll be honest — I’m no fan of Landon Donovan.
In fact, I’d go as far as to say I’m a Donovan hater. Not because of what he did on the pitch — he's had some legendary moments for U.S. Soccer, with that Algeria goal in 2010 sitting firmly at the top. But let’s just say his soccer takes? Not exactly stellar.

That said, his opinion on Christian Pulisic and other top U.S. Men’s National Team stars skipping out on this Gold Cup camp? He’s right. Completely right.

Athletes today are spoiled. We’re far removed from the ‘90s and early 2000s — an era when you could flip on a match and see players caked in mud, drenched in sweat, bleeding for the badge one night and heading off for national team duty the next. That was the norm. That was the expectation.

Growing up, all I ever dreamed about was representing the U.S. or Ukraine. That was the pinnacle — to wear your country’s colors and fight for it on the biggest stage. So maybe I’m a boomer — even though I’m only three years older than Pulisic — but I cannot fathom skipping a national team call-up because of “fatigue.” Especially not before a World Cup you're co-hosting.

So now, begrudgingly, I find myself siding with a man I thought I’d never agree with... Landon freaking Donovan.

“This is what it means to represent your country,” Donovan said. “This is what it means. And if you don't want to take this seriously as a professional soccer player — as someone who gets the opportunity to wear that jersey and take it seriously and responsibly — then don’t come in.

This is what it means. [Ronaldo’s] 40 years old. He’s played a long-ass season. He’s tired. He’s out there grinding. Hurt himself in the process. And I can’t help but think about some of our guys on vacation, not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It’s pissing me off.”

And he’s right.
Okay, I said it.
HE. IS. RIGHT.

You’re “Captain America.”
You’re “The LeBron James of Soccer.”
I don’t care if you didn’t give yourself those titles — they’ve been bestowed upon you. That comes with a responsibility. You either accept the challenge or admit you’re not that guy.

I don’t care if it’s the Gold Cup.
YOU HAVE TO BE THERE.

U.S. Soccer is begging for a new legend — someone the nation can rally behind. I’ve got a Pulisic jersey. I want him to be that guy. He’s got the talent. He can be that guy. But I’m starting to have my doubts. He’s 26 and has had maybe oneborderline-iconic World Cup moment.

Let’s look at Donovan. He was 20 at Korea/Japan 2002 and scored twice — including one against Mexico in the knockout round. He was 24 during the rough 2006 Germany campaign. Then in South Africa 2010, at age 28, he scored in three of the four games we played, including that Algeria moment. He also scored against Italy in a 1–0 win and against Brazil in a 3–2 loss (where we were up 2–0 at halftime) in the 2009 Confederations Cup. Those are moments. That’s legacy. That’s a player writing his name into U.S. soccer history.

So here’s my advice to Christian — even though he’ll probably never read this:

Listen to Donovan. Listen to the old heads.
Stop listening to your friends, your significant others, even your family — if they’ve never worn that U.S. badge, kindly tell them to f*** off.
Listen to the ones who did it before you. The ones who laid the groundwork for this generation.

I’d give my left leg to play at the highest level and wear that crest. You might be tired. You might be carrying some knocks. But you don’t get many chances to represent your country — and even fewer to inspire the next generation.

So ask yourself:
What will your stamp on this country be?