Rapid fire with Landon Donovan: Top opponent, goal, advice and more

Landon Donovan, the all-time leader in goals and assists for the U.S. national team, will play his final game in a U.S. jersey on Friday night in a friendly

Grant Wahl | Oct 8, 2014

Rapid fire with Landon Donovan: Top opponent, goal, advice and more /

Landon Donovan, the all-time leader in goals and assists for the U.S. national team, will play his final game in a U.S. jersey on Friday night in a friendly against Ecuador in East Hartford, Connecticut (7 p.m. ET, ESPN, Unimas). It will be a moment for U.S. fans to say thanks to Donovan, who is retiring from soccer at the end of this MLS season, and so it seemed like a good occasion to sit down with Donovan and give him the rapid-fire quiz on some of the superlatives from his long career.

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SI: What are your most memorable goals for club and country?

DONOVAN: For club, one is the goal in the 2001 [MLS Cup] final against the Galaxy with San Jose. Two is the goal in the 2011 final against Houston to win it. With the national team I have two: My first goal [ever] at the L.A. Coliseum against Mexico [in 2000] and the Algeria goal [to save the U.S. from elimination at World Cup 2010].

SI: What is the highest-quality goal you’ve ever scored?

LD: The one in the ’01 final was pretty difficult to pull off. I scored a goal in the Under-17 World Cup [in 1999] in the semifinals against Australia that was one of the better goals I’ve ever scored. And if you can pull that video you’ve got talent!

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Challenge accepted!)

SI: Who’s the best player you’ve ever played against?

LD: [Lionel] Messi. You play against most players, Cristiano Ronaldo included, and they’re really good, but you still feel like you’re on the same field with them. They’re good, but it’s O.K. With Messi, you felt like you’re on the field and the guy is so much better than everyone else that if he wants to turn it on you have no chance. There’s moments when Cristiano is like that too, but Messi, when we played against them, I just got that feeling. Like, there was one play when he dribbled through the middle and guys were trying to smash him, just kicking at him, and the guy just bounced off and bounced off, kept the ball on his feet and kept going. At that point there’s nothing you can do. You’re trying your hardest, and there’s nothing you can do.

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SI: Who’s the best player you played against in MLS?

LD: I think the best player I’ve played against, although I didn’t play much directly against him, was probably Jaime Moreno. I think he was a really underrated player in our league, the way he moved and just his balance and things like that. He was probably the best I ever played against in this league.

SI: Who’s the player you’ve most admired?

LD: This is going to sound weird, but probably Frank Lampard. And I say that because I like the way he went about his life. You never heard stories about him, he was never in the tabloids, his effort was always good, he was a winner. He did things right. He cared about the club he was at. I think he just did things the right way, and I always admired that.

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SI: Who’s the toughest defender you’ve ever faced?

LD: Lúcio, for Brazil. He just physically was so imposing, so even if you had the ball and went near him, he was just so powerful and strong that if he wanted it he’d get it. And conversely, when he had the ball you had to do so much work to defend, it was impossible to get the ball.

SI: Who’s the toughest goalkeeper you’ve ever tried to score on?

LD: Oliver Kahn in [World Cup] 2002. I had my chance. That’s the best save I’ve ever had against me.

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SI: Who’s the best teammate you’ve ever had?

LD: Three come to mind. Frankie Hejduk, just because he was so selfless. Kyle Beckerman, similar, just a great guy, a guy you wanted on your team. And Brian Ching. We just got along well. We understand the game the same way. I really enjoyed playing with him.

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SI: What’s the best advice you ever got?

LD: That’s an easy one. My mom always said to make sure you’re having fun playing, and you’re not having fun then don’t play. Simple as that.

GALLERY: Classic Donovan photos

Landon Donovan Classic Photos

Landon Donovan

A former dare-to-dream-big kid who matured into the most decorated male player to ever don the United States uniform, Landon Donovan will retire at the end of the 2014 MLS season. On the heels of that news, here are some classic photos of Landon Donovan.

Landon Donovan

Donovan and Julio Bracamontes of Mexico battle during the quarterfinals of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand. The U.S. defeated Mexico 3-2.

Landon Donovan

Donovan standing in front of the Bayer pharmaceutical plant in Cologne, Germany. He had a brief stint with German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.

Landon Donovan

Donovan, right, runs through an agility drill at a practice session in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen.

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Donovan during a quiet moment with Bayer Leverkusen.

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Donovan hits out of a bunker while playing a round of golf in Adelaide, Australia, on an off-day before playing Japan in one of the quarterfinal matches of the Olympics.

Landon Donovan

To honor U.S. Women's National Team member Brandi Chastain -- who famously took off her shirt after winning the 1999 World Cup on a penalty kick -- Donovan pulled off his jersey to reveal a sports bra after he scored during the MLS All-Star Game in San Jose.

Landon Donovan

Donovan gets off a shot as James Lawrence arrives too late to stop it during a 2002 World Cup qualifier against Jamaica.

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Donovan, then with the San Jose Earthquakes, hoists the MLS Cup trophy after defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Donovan scored the Earthquakes' first goal in the 43rd minute.

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Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley pass the ball in a stretching drill at the Misari Football Center in Seoul, Korea.

Landon Donovan

Donovan autographs a USA team jersey for U.S. Army SPC 4 Jesus Medina of Houston during the team's visit to the demilitarized zone in Panmunjom, South Korea. The U.S. soccer squad faced Portugal, South Korea and Poland in the first round of the 2002 FIFA Korea-Japan World Cup.

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Donovan records teammate DaMarcus Beasley during the national team's visit to the demilitarized zone.

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Petit of Portugal holds back Donovan during the second half of the their Group D match played in South Korea. The U.S. won 3-2.

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Donovan celebrates following his 65th-minute goal during second-round playoff action against Mexico in the 2002 World Cup. The U.S. won 2-0.

Landon Donovan

A disgusted Donovan reacts after barely missing out on a goal against Germany in a quarterfinal of the 2002 World Cup. The Germans defeated the U.S. 1-0.

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Donovan on the cover of Sports Illustrated as the national team began play in the 2002 World Cup.

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Donovan during the 2002 ESPY Awards with Bianca Kajlich at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. The two were married from 2006-2010.

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Turkish defender Fatih Sonkaya and Donovan vie for the ball during their Confederations Cup match in Saint-Etienne, France.

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Donovan played his fourth and last season with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2004. He made 87 appearances for them and scored 32 goals.

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Donovan poses in Manhattan Beach, Calif., during a photo shoot with SI.

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Donovan in action vs. Mexico during a 2006 World Cup qualifier.

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Donovan runs off the field holding an American flag after the U.S. defeated Mexico to advance to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

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Donovan with teammates Oguchi Onyewu (top, left), Bobby Convey (top, right), and DaMarcus Beasley.

Landon Donovan

Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Oguchi Onyewu and Bobby Convey on the cover of Sports Illustrated prior to the 2006 World Cup.

Landon Donovan

Ghana's Liliasu Shilla battles with Donovan during a Group E game. The U.S. lost 2-1 to Ghana, lost 3-0 to the Czech Republic and finished in a 1-1 draw with eventual champion Italy.

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A disappointed Donovan after the U.S. was eliminated from the 2006 World Cup after its third game.

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Frankie Hejduk and Donovan parade around the field with the Gold Cup after the U.S. defeated Mexico in the final of the 2007 CONCACAF at sold out Soldier Field in Chicago.

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Donovan receives a kiss from his mother, Donna Kenney-Cash, after winning the Honda Player of the Year Award.

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Donovan clashes with the goalkeeper during a U.S. match with Cuba.

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Donovan heads the ball against Mexico during a 2010 World Cup qualifying match at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The U.S. won, 2-0.

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A Donovan assist on a goal by teammate Jozy Altidore led to this reaction during a 2010 World Cup qualifying match against Trinidad and Tobago at LP Field in Nashville.

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David Beckham and Donovan celebrate the latter's goal against the Houston Dynamo during the 2009 MLS Western Conference Championship game at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The Galaxy won 2-0.

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English Premier League side Everton acquired Donovan on a two-and-a-half-month loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2010.

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Donovan made an appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Show, where the host had fun with a magazine spread in which Donovan was wearing patriotic underwear.

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (far left), New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and Donovan helped launch a new razor with a ceremonial first shave in New York.

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Donovan during an SI For Kids photo shoot.

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Donovan poses during an SI photo shoot.

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Donovan poses with Clint Dempsey (left) and Tim Howard on the cover of Sports Illustrated prior to the start of the 2010 World Cup.

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Donovan shoots and scores past Slovenia's goalkeeper Samir Handanovic and defender Marko Suler during their Group C first-round match at the 2010 World Cup.

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Donovan celebrates with U.S. midfielder Clint Dempsey after scoring during their 2010 FIFA World Cup group stage match vs. Slovenia at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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Donovan jumps over the goalkeeper in the U.S. final group stage game against Algeria at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Landon Donovan

Donovan scores the winning goal in the 91st minute as the U.S. defeats Algeria, 1-0. Needing a win to advance, the goal secured the U.S. as winners of Group C and advanced it to the Round of 16.

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Donovan dives toward the corner flag, where teammates Stuart Holden (left) and Clarence Goodson celebrate after Donovan's stoppage-time goal propelled the United States to the knockout stage of the 2010 World Cup.

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Donovan arrives for the Round of 16 World Cup match against Ghana at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa. The U.S. would go on to lose 2-1 in overtime.

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Donovan and David Letterman take turns trying to kick a ball into the open window of a taxi outside the Ed Sullivan Theater for "The Late Show With David Letterman".

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Donovan throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles.

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Actor Mark Wahlberg shakes hands with Donovan at the 2010 ESPY Awards.

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Danica Patrick and Donovan at the 2010 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles.

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Donovan and Serena Williams attend a Super Bowl Weekend kickoff party in Dallas.

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Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant (far left), Donovan, actor David Henrie, and former NBA player Chris Webber attend the Cartoon Network Hall of Game Awards held at The Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, Calif.

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Lionel Messi of Argentina dribbles between Donovan and Michael Bradley during the first half of a friendly at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

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Donovan greets a line of kids as he leads the L.A. Galaxy onto the field for ceremonies before their game with Chivas USA.

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Donovan jumps into the arms of a teammate after scoring against Mexico in the first half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final in Pasadena, Calif.

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Donovan loosens up during a training session ahead of the MLS Cup.

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Indonesian students listen to Donovan during a soccer clinic in Jakarta. The L.A. Galaxy visited Indonesia as part of their Asia tour.

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Everton Manager David Moyes gives instructions to Donovan during a FA Cup fourth-round match between Everton and Fulham at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England.

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Donovan watches the Los Angeles Kings and the St. Louis Blues in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals during the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

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Donovan and James Riley of Chivas USA vie for the ball in the Chivas 18-yard box during an MLS match won by Chivas, 1-0.

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Scottish midfielder Scott Brown steals the ball away from Donovan during the U.S.' 5-1 victory over Scotland in a friendly at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.

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Referee Silvia Reyes gets between Donovan and Toronto FC's Darren O'Dea after O'Dea tripped Donovan during an MLS match. The LA Galaxy defeated Toronto 4-2.

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Donovan reacts after scoring on a penalty kick in the second half against the Houston Dynamo in the 2012 MLS Cup. The Los Angeles Galaxy won 3-1.

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Donovan kisses the MLS Cup after winning the 2012 title against the Houston Dynamo at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

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Donovan poses for a photo during "Soccer Night In Newtown" at the Newtown Youth Academy Sports & Fitness Center in Connecticut.

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President Barack Obama holds a soccer ball as he poses with Donovan during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House. The ceremony was held to honor Los Angeles' 2012 MLS Cup victory.

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Donovan attempts a back-heeled shot against Woodrow West of Belize during the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup in Portland, Ore. Donovan finished with a goal and two assists -- becoming the first U.S. player to record both 50 goals and 50 assists for his career -- as the U.S. won easily, 6-1.

Landon Donovan

Donovan celebrates after scoring a goal against El Salvador during 5-1 victory over El Salvador in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal in Baltimore.

Published Oct 8, 2014

GRANT WAHL

A leading soccer journalist and best-selling author, Grant Wahl has been with SI since 1996 and has penned more than three dozen cover stories.