Landon Donovan made his first appearance for ESPN Wednesday after being left off the 23 man American squad for the 2014 World Cup. With Donovan playing the TV role and focusing on the USMNT, it presents quite the opportunity for the all-time leading goal scorer in American soccer history to analyze the coach who shockingly left him off the team. It was four years ago when Klinsmann was on the ESPN set and had a chance to opine on Donovan’s shortcomings. Now the roles are reversed.
In Donovan’s first segment on ESPN’s World Cup preview show, the anticipation was palpable to see if the player would be critical of his former coach. Donovan answered that question in the affirmative. When answering a question about Klinsmann’s comments that the USA can’t win the 2014 World Cup, Donovan did not hold back:
“Well, this will come as a surprise to nobody, but I don’t agree with Jurgen. As someone who has been in that locker room, and has sat next to the players, and I agree with Alexi, we agree with the American outlaws. We believe that we will win. I think that’s the way Americans think. I think that’s the sentiment.
One point I’d like to make is that if we’re really expecting to go out and beat Portugal and beat Ghana and beat Germany, in my opinion Germany is one of the best teams in the world. If you can beat Germany, why can’t you beat anyone else. It doesn’t mean it’s going to happen, but I believe it and I think all of America believes we can do it.”
Below is the video of the full segment with Donovan and host Mike Tirico, which shows that Donovan may be one of the best and most relevant hires made by a sports network this year. Not just for his headline-worthy analysis of Klinsmann, but for his insights into the US team…
[ESPN]
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