When the United States takes the field on Wednesday, Landon Donovan could become the youngest US player to reach 100 National Team appearances. He talks to Andrea Canales about his expectations for Wembley.
By Andrea Canales
CARSON, CA (May 27, 2008) USSoccerPlayers -- 100 is a nice round number. What makes Landon Donovan's upcoming achievement stand out even more, however, is the young age at which he will hit that mark. Donovan is only 26, but barring injury, is likely the first name US coach Bob Bradley will pencil in on the roster scheduled to play versus England at the famed Wembley Stadium on Wednesday (3pm ET - ESPN Classic).
"I'm excited - knock on wood that I play and that everything goes well with the flight and everything, that I get in feeling ok," said Donovan. "It'll be awesome. But I'm not there to collect my 100th cap and watch England play. I'm there to win the game."
There is a slight chance that Donovan may not be at top fitness - Los Angeles Galaxy coach ruud Gullit admitted that a slight hamstring strain was the cause for Donovan being taken out of the club's recent game versus the Kansas City Wizards.
"His hamstring was a little bit tight," Gullit explained. He added, however, that the move was precautionary.
After all, Donovan has been looking forward to this particular stretch of national games, where the US will confront England, Spain and Argentina. It's a Murderers Row of opponents, but Donovan didn't seem intimidated.
"There's no better time for us to play these games," said Donovan. "We've done well, especially, on the road lately. I think we have a confidence - not a cockiness, but a confidence - that we can do well when we play on the road. That being said, if we don't play the same way, like we did in Poland, like we did in Switzerland, like we did in South Africa, England's a team that can beat [us] easily. So we've got to be good, but I think for all of us, it's a good opportunity."
If his hamstring isn't an issue, Donovan could showcase the talent that is currently leading Major League Soccer in goals this season. He has nine goals in nine games.
Though he wouldn't predict a score line, Donovan wasn't looking for a mere moral victory of playing well versus England.
"I'm pretty confident in how we're playing now and I think we're excited about this challenge," Donovan said. "Obviously, you play the game to win. You don't go there to lose. We're hoping to win the game."
Of course, the absence of Donovan and Beckham robs the Galaxy of what is the top tandem in MLS this season.
"You can't replace a Landon Donovan or a David Beckham," defender Chris Klein pointed out.
Still, the honor of international competition is such that it supersedes club responsibilities for most players.
"It's hard to think of the Galaxy when you're with your National Team," Carlos Ruiz stated.
Yet Donovan couldn't help but look at that side of the situation, especially given that the Galaxy fell short of the playoffs for two years in a row by lacking only one win more.
"In an ideal world, we could play both the MLS games and the National Team games, but that's the way it is," Donovan shrugged.
One thing the Galaxy does present to Donovan is first-hand experience with players who have reached the level he is on the cusp of joining. Both Cobi Jones, his former teammate and now Galaxy assistant coach and superstar David Beckham have over 100 caps for their respective countries, the US and England.
"Cobi hasn't given me advice, but just the way he's carried himself, I've learned a lot from him," Donovan acknowledged. "The guy who is 36 can in theory do whatever he wants, but he was always here early, getting treatment and getting work done, always professional on the field. When you see that, then you want to do that and you realize why he got where he is and it makes you want to do the same thing. David's been the same way. David, when he shows up, he shows up to play. Guys that make it to that number, there's a reason why."
Donovan's own status made him a role model in that vein as well, because he has not been idle in the many caps he has earned. He owns the US record for goals scored, as well as the ones for assists.
"It's an important record, for an international player to reach 100 caps and be the top goal scorer for one's country," said Ruiz. "I see it from that viewpoint, because I'm near 100 caps and the top scorer for my country. It's not every player that can accomplish those things, so to reach that level is an important achievement."
In general, Donovan was trying to keep his landmark record in perspective.
"Like the scoring record, what it means is that people wanted [me] to be a part of the team for a long time," Donovan said. "In America, there's a lot of people who reach that point, but if you look around the world, there's not a lot of people that do, and just over a long time, [I was] consistent enough to be there, so that means a lot."
Beyond just proving to the world what he can individually do, Donovan, along with the other US players based in MLS, has a chance to represent the league.
"I hope that the US has a good result against England and Spain, because that will be good for the league," said Ruiz. "I don't think it really reflects on CONCACAF, because in the region there's Mexico and the US and then the rest of the teams are a step down. But the US league has a chance to prove itself, and also I have a lot of friends on the US team, so I hope they do well."
Though a good result would come at his own expense, Beckham also wished his club teammate well.
"It's great for any player to make their 100th cap," Beckham said. "Obviously, to make it at Wembley, it's going to be a great occasion for him. I'm sure he'll enjoy it."
That's exactly what Donovan planned to do.
"I couldn't have picked much better timing. To play in the new Wembley will be sweet and to play England there will be an added bonus," Donovan said. "England is where many people believe soccer started, so to get your 100th cap there is pretty cool. I'm proud of it."
Because of his versatility, Donovan has performed for the National Team as both a forward and a midfielder. Bradley has often placed him on the wing, so Donovan could take advantage of the extra space. Yet England presents a new challenge, one that will test the United States and ensure that Donovan is going to have to work hard to be satisfied. After all, Beckham's historic 100th was marred by the loss to France in that game.
"The whole environment, the atmosphere, stage, the setting, it's got the chance to be a great night," Donovan said. "I want to take advantage of it. I don't want to lose my 100th game. I want it to be a special night."
Andrea Canales is a regular contributor USSoccerPlayers as well as Soccernet, Soccer 365, and Sideline Views. You can reach her at: soccercanales@yahoo.com
