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The image was meant to be jarring.
Landon Donovan, the joint all-time leading scorer for the United States men's national team and a legend who had tormented Mexico with goals in the 2002 World Cup Round of 16, as well as controversy at the youth levels when he was captured answering nature's call on the field of the Estadio Jalisco, was wearing a Mexico shirt.
He was displaying a scarf that said "My other team is Mexico" and telling fans of the U.S. to support El Tri at the 2018 World Cup after the Americans failed to qualify.
It was part of a Wells Fargo ad campaign, but Donovan says it also came from a genuine place after he grew up in California playing soccer with mostly Mexican immigrants and children of immigrants.
More: Landon Donovan reveals his three favorite World Cup memories
"Ninety-six percent of my friends growing up were Mexican," Donovan told USA TODAY Sports this month. "I knew the club team Necaxa before I knew Manchester United. I mean, that's just my reality, and that's why I also do root for Mexico to do well ... except when they're playing us."
Also half-Canadian, Donovan said he's hoping all three of the host nations at the 2026 World Cup enjoy deep runs. Mexico has a special place for Donovan, though, not only as a country he got to know from a young age but also one where he closed out his professional outdoor career, coming out of retirement to suit up for Club León in 2018.
That familiarity will serve Donovan well as the analyst for Mexico's opening match against South Africa on Fox's World Cup coverage in the U.S. on Thursday, June 11.
Still, while he is also now supporting El Tri, there were moments in his career when his pride in the U.S. and competitive fervor were on display. Donovan listed a chance post-match celebration shortly after he scored in a 2-0 win over Mexico in the 2002 World Cup Round of 16 as one of his three favorite World Cup memories.
"As we were pulling out of the stadium, all the cars, all the traffic had gone and we pulled up to a stoplight in our bus. And as fate would have it, right as we stopped, the Mexico team bus pulled up right next to us," Donovan said. "Someone noticed that it was their bus, so we looked over at them and we were celebrating, and jumping, and hitting the windows and the whole bus was shaking and they were absolutely miserable.
"I'll never forget it."
Still, as this World Cup approaches, Donovan may have his scarf ready to support El Tri and Canada, even as he roots for his beloved U.S. to have its deepest-ever run at a World Cup.
Mexico begins its World Cup journey first, playing the June 11 curtain-raiser vs. South Africa. The U.S. and Canada both start play the next day, with Canada hosting Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto and the U.S. hosting Paraguay in Southern California.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Landon Donovan: "I root for Mexico to do well, except when they're playing us"
Continue reading...
Landon Donovan, the joint all-time leading scorer for the United States men's national team and a legend who had tormented Mexico with goals in the 2002 World Cup Round of 16, as well as controversy at the youth levels when he was captured answering nature's call on the field of the Estadio Jalisco, was wearing a Mexico shirt.
He was displaying a scarf that said "My other team is Mexico" and telling fans of the U.S. to support El Tri at the 2018 World Cup after the Americans failed to qualify.
It was part of a Wells Fargo ad campaign, but Donovan says it also came from a genuine place after he grew up in California playing soccer with mostly Mexican immigrants and children of immigrants.
More: Landon Donovan reveals his three favorite World Cup memories
"Ninety-six percent of my friends growing up were Mexican," Donovan told USA TODAY Sports this month. "I knew the club team Necaxa before I knew Manchester United. I mean, that's just my reality, and that's why I also do root for Mexico to do well ... except when they're playing us."
Also half-Canadian, Donovan said he's hoping all three of the host nations at the 2026 World Cup enjoy deep runs. Mexico has a special place for Donovan, though, not only as a country he got to know from a young age but also one where he closed out his professional outdoor career, coming out of retirement to suit up for Club León in 2018.
That familiarity will serve Donovan well as the analyst for Mexico's opening match against South Africa on Fox's World Cup coverage in the U.S. on Thursday, June 11.
Still, while he is also now supporting El Tri, there were moments in his career when his pride in the U.S. and competitive fervor were on display. Donovan listed a chance post-match celebration shortly after he scored in a 2-0 win over Mexico in the 2002 World Cup Round of 16 as one of his three favorite World Cup memories.
"As we were pulling out of the stadium, all the cars, all the traffic had gone and we pulled up to a stoplight in our bus. And as fate would have it, right as we stopped, the Mexico team bus pulled up right next to us," Donovan said. "Someone noticed that it was their bus, so we looked over at them and we were celebrating, and jumping, and hitting the windows and the whole bus was shaking and they were absolutely miserable.
"I'll never forget it."
Still, as this World Cup approaches, Donovan may have his scarf ready to support El Tri and Canada, even as he roots for his beloved U.S. to have its deepest-ever run at a World Cup.
Mexico begins its World Cup journey first, playing the June 11 curtain-raiser vs. South Africa. The U.S. and Canada both start play the next day, with Canada hosting Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto and the U.S. hosting Paraguay in Southern California.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Landon Donovan: "I root for Mexico to do well, except when they're playing us"
Continue reading...
