2010 World Cup: Donovan Believes US Team Can Mix It With The Best
The 2010 World Cup starts in Johannesburg on June 11 and the build up is starting to gather pace. LA Galaxy’s Landon Donovan recently completed a 10 week loan spell with English Premier League side Everton. As a result of his excellent form during this loan period, Donovan now firmly believes that he and his national team mates have what it takes to compete at the highest level.
He told Reuters “Now I know I can play well against anybody,” the Los Angeles Galaxy forward said. “That’s a big boost. It was an incredible experience. It helps my confidence, absolutely.”
Although he played a different role at Everton his ability to slot the ball home was evident for all to see. He said to EA Sports “I was relied on to give the team energy, to work hard, defend well and be tactically smart,” said the 28-year-old after scoring two goals in 13 games for the English Premier League club to ignite an upturn in their fortunes. I think I did all those things,”
Upon arrival at Everton were struggling to find the form that saw them finish high in the table the previous season however Donovan fitted neatly into the side and helped them defeat the Champions Manchester United and Chelsea before departing with them standing at ninth in the table.
With the USA taking on England on June 12 in Group C, Donovan cannot wait to pit his skills against the English in Rustenburg, South Africa. Of the match he said “In the history of US soccer it (a shock US World Cup win over England) happened once back in 1950, there’s not many who can say they have played against England in a World Cup. I want to be one of the ones that say we beat them.”
With 120 cap under his belt Donovan firmly believes that with the USA team having good knowledge of the English players and indeed the English game the time is right to take on the might of the English saying, “there are quite a few of our guys who have played or are playing in the Premier League right now so we have a pretty good gauge of what their players are like and what their styles are, that’s a big thing in a World Cup, how teams’ styles are and how you adapt tactically. I think we have a little bit of an advantage that way. We know the game is going to be ultra competitive. Both teams play very fast, there’s not a lot of standing around on the ball “.
Tags: 2010 World Cup, donovan, landon donovan, the football world cup
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