CARSON, Calif. – Watching a United States national team game from his couch is an entirely new endeavor for LA Galaxy captain Landon Donovan and one that brings the U.S. International, no shortage of anxiety.
Sidelined with a left hamstring strain that he picked up during the U.S.’ 1-0 victory over the Mexico in August, Donovan has missed the last five games for the Galaxy and was left home during the U.S.’ vital World Cup qualifiers against Jamaica. Although Donovan admitted that the U.S. could have done better, he was pleased with the result.
“It was good that we got the win yesterday,” Donovan told reporters after training on Wednesday. “I think that we probably have to have higher expectations for ourselves. We clearly need to get out of this stage, but it was definitely a building block yesterday. I thought we played a little bit better and a lot of stress was relieved when we won the game and they blew the whistle at the end.”
The U.S. all-time leading goal scorer was particularly pleased with the way that the Americans bounced back from a disappointing 2-1 defeat in Kingston last Friday, setting up what some described as a “must win” match in Columbus on Tuesday.
“I thought that including Stevie (Cherundolo) and Carlos (Bocanegra) was a no brainer and you could see the difference that those two made when they were on the field, not only from their soccer, but their leadership and what they can provide. That was a big boost and they played really well.”
Seemingly fit for Friday’s match against the Colorado Rapids, Donovan will likely be back in action when the U.S. resumes their World Cup qualifying in mid-October. A date that Donovan admits can’t arrive any sooner after more than a few tense moments watching the Jamaica game on his couch.
“To be honest, it gives me a lot of anxiety. I hate watching and sometimes I prefer not to watch because it’s not fun. Yesterday was sweaty palms and just praying for the goal to come. Thankfully the goal came and then when the whistle blew at the end, throughout U.S. Soccer there was a sigh of relief.”
