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The Late Show with David Letterman
06-24-02

Letterman: Now look at this, right here. This is Sports Illustrated. This is our next guest right here. Take a look. That’s pretty good. How ‘bout that? Landon Donovan.

(Audience claps)

Letterman: He scored two goals to help lead his team to the 2002 World Cup quarterfinal round for the first time in 70 years. From your United States Men’s World Cup soccer team, here’s Landon Donovan everybody.

(Audience claps)

Letterman: Well, what do you think? It’s been crazy for you, hasn’t it?

Landon: Yeah, it’s been quite a ride.

Letterman: When did you guys get back to the United States?

Landon: I got back Saturday.

Letterman: It must of been just nuts for you. Everybody all over you and excitement everywhere you go?

Landon: I don’t know about all over me. No it’s been exciting. It’s been fun.

Letterman: And then now what will happen? You’ll continue go on play soccer, you play up in your neck of the woods in northern California.

Landon: San Jose, yeah. We got the rest of the season. We’re the defending champs and we’re trying to win it again so we’ve got some work to do.

Letterman: Good for you and the feeling there when you play that first game at home it’s gonna be lovely. Isn’t it?

Landon: Well, actually I was there Saturday.

Letterman: And everything was great?

Landon: Everything was great. The crowd loved it and it’s good to be back.

Letterman: You’re originally from California.

Landon: Southern California.

Letterman: You played soccer in Germany when you were a kid?

Landon: When I was 17, I went over.

Letterman: Now how does that happen?

Landon Um, a lot of negotiating with the parents.

Letterman: Really?

Landon: Mom wasn’t too happy about it, but that’s ok.

Letterman: And how long did you play in Germany?

Landon: I was there almost 2 years.

Letterman: And why don’t you have a German accent?

(Audience laughs)

Letterman: Friedel has a British accent.

Landon: Yeah, you like that?

Letterman: Yeah it’s exciting.

Landon: Yeah we give him stick for it.

Letterman: Now tell me about the game against Germany because to me I don’t see much soccer but it looked like you guys were really taking it to them in the first part of the first half.

Landon: Yeah, it was unfortunate. We got out early and we were all over them and I thought we played probably our best game. We ended up losing so… it’s alright though.

Letterman: Is there any controversy about that or did you feel like that’s the way it goes?

Landon: Well, we obviously saw that there was a handball that wasn’t called, but that’s the way the game goes.

Letterman: What does that mean they didn’t call a handball? What is that?

Landon: It means we lost.

(Audience laughs)

Letterman: Did somebody touch the ball with his hands? Normally what would happen if it had been called?

Landon: It would have been a penalty kick which more often than not results in a goal and who knows what would of happened after that.

Letterman: And how were you selected to be on the World Cup team?

Landon: Um, you just get seen by Bruce Arena who’s our coach. You get seen by him throughout the year with your club team and he makes a selection. So you gotta do a lot of butt kissing sometimes.

(Audience laughs)

Letterman: Oh really? Well there’s some soccer insight.

(Audience claps)

Letterman: Now is it likely that you’ll be part of the next World Cup team?

Landon: I hope so. We’ll see. I hope so. We’re uh…

Letterman: You’re 20 years old now so you haven’t really reached your prime in the world of soccer. Have you?

Landon: I hope not. You know hopefully… Germany in 2006 will be awesome. Hopefully we can continue to make progress.

Letterman: Now who do you think will win the World Cup?

Landon: Well I’m hoping either Germany or Korea because Germany beat us and Korea tied us so that way there’s a little validation, you know?

Letterman: Yeah, and who else is left?

Landon: Brazil and Turkey.

Letterman: Brazil and Turkey play. That’ll be a good game because people think that Turkey is underrated but full of great talent right?

Landon: Definitely. They’re a good team. They could upset them.

Letterman: And so you resume your regular schedule of play now and your life kinda goes back to normal?

Landon: Well this isn’t exactly normal for me.

(Audience laughs)

Letterman: I hoped you enjoyed it. It was a big thrill and of course you were aware that it was something people were staying up for all night to watch and the thousands of people that were going to stadiums. All of that was apparent to you guys wasn’t it?

Landon: We got a little bit of feedback. We know a lot of people jumped on and we hope they stay on, but there was people from the beginning. The US Soccer people, the Nike people, all our friends and family. They were constantly helping us out.

Letterman: And when you were a kid why was soccer your game of preference?

Landon: I have no idea. My mom put me out there when I was 5 and said go run around and waste some energy.

(Audience laughs)

Letterman: The proverbial soccer mom.

Landon: Thanks to mom.

Letterman: That’s great. I’m sorry you didn’t a chance to kick 1 off the roof. Did you?

Landon: I know. I wanted to.

Letterman: It looked like great fun didn’t it?

Landon: Yeah, I dunno. Tough act to follow what Clint did. That was amazing.

Letterman: Well, it was certainly a thrill for us and it was a thrill knowing you guys were representing the United States in this great global arena. It was fascinating and fun and exciting. Who knows what will happen in the next 4 years.

Landon: Wish us luck.

Letterman: Yeah, good to see you. Congratulations.

(Shakes hands)

Letterman: Landon Donovan, everybody. We’ll be right back with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble.

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