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Landon Donovan is the reason why so many people in America are soccer fans.
At the 2010 World Cup, Donovan scored a last-minute goal against Algeria, giving the Stars and Stripes a victory in their group and uniting a country.
“That kind of moment changed my life forever,” Donovan told Pak Gazette Digital in a recent interview. “I mean, there’s not a day that I’m making an appearance or doing something that someone doesn’t come up and say something about it. And honestly, the thing that happens to me the most is, ‘That day I became a football fan watching that game,’ which gives me chills because that’s what we’re trying to do.
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Landon Donovan of the United States celebrates after scoring the winning goal against Algeria during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Group C match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa on June 23, 2010. (Jeff Mitchell/FIFA via Getty Images)
“Since I was 16 as a young professional, we weren’t just players in this country, we had to be ambassadors because no one was paying attention at that time. So we were trying to grow the sport all the time. When a literal moment in the 122nd minute where I kick a ball into the net exponentially accelerates that process, it’s incredible because you’ve been working so hard. I did 10 years of appearances and media, I played and all that stuff for a 122nd minute. moment to do more than everything that.”
Now, Donovan is one of the faces of FanDuel soccer betting during this World Cup, where he offers promotions like Super Sub, where if a player you bet on to score is substituted, your bet is automatically transferred to that player’s replacement and remains alive for the rest of the game.
“It tips the odds a little more in your favor and keeps you involved. Usually when a player gets subbed, we all get upset,” Donovan said with a laugh. “So it’s going to be a really fun summer and there’s going to be a couple of ways that fans can tip the odds a little bit in their favor.”
Landon Donovan celebrates victory at the final whistle during the 2010 World Cup match between the United States and Algeria at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in South Africa. (EMPICS Sport – PA Images via Getty Images)
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“I’m at a point in my life where I want to be around good people and do fun things. FanDuel has been great to me, they treat me well, they do things the right way, they take their message of responsible gaming seriously. They mean it and that matters to me as someone who has young children who I’m sure will get into this at some point.”
With the 2026 World Cup just days away from being held in the United States, Donovan said this year’s USMNT may have an even bigger “responsibility” than he had to take advantage of a sport that is dying to grow here.
Of course, for players, there are much more important things to worry about, but Donovan said it was always in the back of his mind.
“I know what a great World Cup could do because I had it in 2002, and I know what a bad World Cup can do because I had a bad World Cup in 2006. And so in 2010, I was aware of all that. I knew the possibilities and the opportunity we had,” Donovan said.
Landon Donovan of the United States celebrates after scoring the winning goal against Algeria during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Group C match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane, South Africa on June 23, 2010. (Jeff Mitchell/FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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“As you grow, you have a responsibility to do your job and help grow the sport. And that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun or enjoyable or anything like that. It’s just a responsibility. That’s what these players have on their shoulders, and they know it.”
The USMNT begins its quest for its first title on Friday in Los Angeles against Paraguay.
