It sounds a little funny to say this weekend is Landon Donovan's coming out party, because we all know him so well and are fully aware of his skills on the pitch. But, the majority of sports fans in the U.S. are unaware of soccer's existence. However, that's about to change.
The next four weeks will include an unprecedented amount of sight and sounds of the LA Galaxy Captain and U.S. National Team forward at the World Cup. Making this weekend, his coming out party.
Or, as we prefer to see it, his homecoming. Because who are we kidding, this is where he belongs. This is the stage and the recognition you should be getting.
So, with that in mind, around these parts, we're calling today unofficial Landon Donovan Day. However, why stop at just one day or week, why not make it Unofficial Landon Donovan Month?
Yesterday, Landon called in to The Dan Patrick Show from South Africa. Then, earlier this morning, Donovan called in to the Ryan Seacrest show. The almost eight-minute long interview touches on "conjugal visits", the pros and cons of sex during the World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo, Saturday's game against England, the atmosphere in South Africa and the premier of tonight's Homecoming with Rick Reilly on ESPN.
Listen to the interview
Speaking of that ESPN show, last week we went Behind the Scenes on This Week Inside the Galaxy for the taping of the
show. Here are two previews that serve as mere appetizers for tonight's main entrée. (ESPN, 6 p.m. PT)
So, to recap... Unofficial Landon Donovan Weekend Schedule is:
Thursday morning - Interview with Ryan Seacrest
Thursday evening - Premier of Homecoming with Rick Relly
Friday all day - Start of World Cup and countdown to USA vs. England
Saturday - USA vs. England
Of course all of this comes on the heels of being featured in Sports Illustrated, ESPN, CBS News, GQ, Vanity Fair and Time magazine to name a few.
If you haven't selected a location yet to watch the U.S.-England game, head on down to the Hermosa Beach Pier. We'll have a 13-foot by 20-foot screen next to the beach on the pier plaza. It's going to be the biggest outdoor viewing party for the game in LA. The event is free, but plan to arrive early as a huge turnout is expected.
If you are coming out, tell your friends to look for you on the Hermosa Beach Pier webcam.
