The Players Speak
A few of 'em, anyway. Before we get to the comments, the only injury we know of is midfielder Brad Davis, who tweaked his groin muscle yesterday and tested it today. Our guess is that he will be among the four scratches, which will not be made public until tomorrow.
Oguchi Onyewu
On the intensity of the Mexico match: "I don't think the rivalry has died down any. Once we step on the pitch, the emotions are going to flow and the feelings are going to get hurt, one way or another."
On his introduction to the rivalry, against Borgetti at Azteca in 2005: "I remember it was hot, I remember I couldn't breathe. It was nice to get revenge in that second game" in Columbus.
Carlos Bocanegra
"Obviously, they are our biggest rival and it's an important game but we're not looking too much into the whole series thing. They have a young team and we have a new team, as well."
"We're definitely confident. We're not going to overlook them and we're not going to think, just because we've done well in the series of late, it's going to transfer into an automatic victory."
Life at Fulham with the other Americans: "There has been a lot of change lately. It's nice Eddie [Johnson] has gotten an opportunity to come over and play. We have our little American group. We've got American Airlines as our sponsor. But there are a lot of Americans in Europe now so there isn't that much focus on it" in London.
On young players facing Mexico: "It's an eye opener. I knew it was a big game from watching the World Cup game in 2002, but until you are there in a packed stadium, you don't understand it."
Landon Donovan
On young players being prepared to face Mexico: "If they haven't picked it up by now, they are in for a rude awakening tomorrow. I will try to stress that tonight to some guys who have not been a part of it. Not only is it this game, but it's what qualifying is like and so this is a good test run. ... They are here because they are good players, but everyone needs to know this is not your average game. It's not your average friendly and it's something you've got to be ready for."
On the short preparation time, which replicates the build-up to qualifiers: "This is 100 percent what we want to be ready for. While the game against Sweden [last month] was great, it's different. You are not going to have two and half weeks to prepare for a team. It doesn't happen [in qualifying]. This is, how well do you get here physically? How well do you get here mentally? How well do you jell with the team in a real way, that means you will step on the field and be ready? And how well do you play after a couple days of camp? It's been great so far, but ultimately we're judged on tomorrow."
Less tension and animosity between the teams than in the past? "We know what it is about, they know what it is about. There has been plenty of talking in the past, but I don't see any point to it."
Responding to an alleged quote from Bautista that Donovan hates Mexicans: "That's not true. I've got a lot of Mexican friends."
By Steve Goff |
February 5, 2008; 8:00 PM ET
U.S. men's national team
Previous: DCU Update |
Next: Before the USA-Mexico Match.....
Posted by: Curious | February 5, 2008 8:54 PM
Yes, nice work indeed. Thanks for bringing all the latest news. We will keep reading. Enjoy the game tomorrow.
Posted by: td | February 5, 2008 9:14 PM
"Racist? I'm not racist. I watch Oprah every day."
Posted by: AlecW81 | February 5, 2008 9:19 PM
The quote from Donovan is the one that stood out for me. In the past, he has seemed a little reluctant to be the role model, the Captain. But, I really saw an acceptance and a relishing of the role in his quote. I know that some people love to hate him for his not testing himself in Europe, but the kid is only 25 and almost 100 caps. He is one of the alltime best players ever in the US.
Ok, rant over...Viva USA.
Posted by: EssEff | February 5, 2008 10:48 PM
The American players at Fulham have, IMO, a big responsibility to perform at a high level. As the team adds more and more yanks, people begin to pay attention and judge US soccer by Fulham's performance. Go Fulham!
Posted by: David | February 5, 2008 10:49 PM
Thanks for the update. Digging the pressure build up. How many US fans in Buckingham?(It ain't Ballston yo,...
GO USA!
Posted by: dadryan | February 5, 2008 11:17 PM
Someone should give Landon Donovan his own advice before every match. "Now Landon, you're here because you're a good player, but..."
Posted by: Jamie Z. | February 5, 2008 11:34 PM
Some of my best friends are Black. I've even been told I'm Black.
Posted by: sitruc | February 5, 2008 11:39 PM
There needs to be a picture like this, except with Landon's Mexican Friend. Work away, Photoshopers!
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/9846/stevenandalangc3.jpg
Posted by: Greifie | February 6, 2008 12:12 AM
I don't see Mexican.
Posted by: sitruc | February 6, 2008 2:00 AM
Landon would never have bothered to learn Spanish if he hated Mexicans. I'm guessing he loves the Mexican people but strongly dislikes the national team or at least many of their players(who doesn't like andres G)
Posted by: Matt Y | February 6, 2008 2:38 AM
Maybe Bautista was miss quoted... he meant to say, "Mexicans (fans at any rate) hate Donovan." (Cause he's got their number) They just mixed it up in the press! ;-)
Posted by: big dog | February 6, 2008 6:11 AM
Donovan is always motivated for the Mexicans . . it's the Czechs, Italians, Ghanians, Argentines, Bundesliga, etc we're worried about.
""The quote from Donovan is the one that stood out for me. In the past, he has seemed a little reluctant to be the role model, the Captain. But, I really saw an acceptance and a relishing of the role in his quote.""
Posted by: delantero | February 6, 2008 7:24 AM
My guess is that Donovan goes over to Spain after this MLS season...I think he understands that if he wants to keep playing for the national team he needs to be over there. There's too many good young players coming up that could displace him if he doesnt keep developing.
Posted by: strago | February 6, 2008 8:31 AM
Strago,
Unless CBS starts filming in Spain - he'll be hanging out with Value Destructor, Alexi Lalas.
Posted by: UVA-United | February 6, 2008 8:45 AM
I'm not that much of a Donovan fan, but he certainly gets up for the US/MEX matches. I just wish he felt and performed the same way whenever we play other teams.
Posted by: TCompton | February 6, 2008 9:01 AM
any words from cry-baby HUGO?
Posted by: dc fan | February 6, 2008 9:09 AM
and who is bautista last i heard he played for a team called chiapas in timbuktu
Posted by: dc fans | February 6, 2008 9:11 AM
For me, it depends which kit Donovan is wearing. Like in Europe -- I doubt Chelsea fans sing Rooney's praises when Man U and Chelsea meet. But I doubt they're too mad at him when he scores for England.
Posted by: Joe Doc | February 6, 2008 9:20 AM
Goff,
Can you explain Eddie Lewis's status? Reports on some sites say that he's been injured but the US soccer site shows him running with the team.
Posted by: delantero | February 6, 2008 9:26 AM
Strago,
Who are these up-and-comers who're about to dislodge LD from his position with the USMNT? All time leading US scorer at 26 (in a month) and you're about to relegate him to the dustbin of history. Riiiiight. Landon Donovan isn't perfect, but he is our best player. It's high time we all accepted that obvious fact.
Posted by: Doug | February 6, 2008 9:39 AM
Anything that somebody with the nickname "Bofo" says should not be taken too seriously. Donovan hates Mexicans as much as Robert DeNiro hates black women. :)
Donovan: Get your ass to Spain or France and develop a little more for 2010.
Bobby B.: No more Eddie Lewis or Taylor Twellman, to name a few. Forget about their "experience." Get some (more) young guys in that will be ready for the Olympics, Confederations Cup, and WC 2010.
Good luck tonight!
Posted by: Uncle Jason | February 6, 2008 9:46 AM
First let me clarify a few things.
I don't think Donovan is immediately in danger of losing his place. I think the danger will become more apparent the closer to
WC2010 that we come. I also don't want to discount anything he has done, because he's done an incredible amount of things
in such a small time. It's as simple as he has peaked in MLS. How is he going to get any better in MLS? What does playing
San Jose net him?
Assuming the likes of Bradley, Adu, Dempsey, Beasely, Feilhaber (past 6 months discounted), and Edu keep developing, where does
that leave Donovan? These players are already competing with Donovan now. They all are playing oversea's or have stated they
will be overseas. Are you going to put Donovan at forward? He's going to compete with Altidore? EJ? Ching?
Remember, this is a good thing that competition is brewing. Players are going to be forced to develop or lose out. It's as
simple as that.
Posted by: strago | February 6, 2008 10:10 AM
Ture - point taken on how you think that people are catching up to him. But Donovan has no taste for being abroad. He's going to be here and going to be grandfathered by MLS to keep him here and with Captain England.
Posted by: UVA-United | February 6, 2008 10:26 AM
Who are these up-and-comers who're about to dislodge LD from his position with the USMNT?
====================
Clint Dempsey.
Posted by: WNT fan | February 6, 2008 10:27 AM
Goff:
What's the latest ticket sales count for tonight's game?
Posted by: Juan-John | February 6, 2008 10:28 AM
UVA,
True, that's been his stance in the past. I think he'll get a nice wakeup call when one of the aforementioned players starts over Donovan. What he chooses to do with that wakeup call is his business. It's coming though.
Posted by: strago | February 6, 2008 10:30 AM
Eddie Lewis says that he is not injured and did not have surgery.
From the USMNT Blog:
MNT Blogger: Eddie, can you describe how you injured the cartilage in your knee?
Eddie Lewis: "I didn't. You're the 100th person who asked that question."
Posted by: jgildea | February 6, 2008 10:38 AM
If Guzan plays, will it help him with his work permit in England? Or do you need a certain number of caps to get a permit?
Posted by: Joe Doc | February 6, 2008 12:26 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Nice reporting! Do you ever sleep?