The Official Site of Landon Donovan

Mon, Jun 29th 2009, 10:14

US Falls to Brazil, takes 2nd in Confederations Cup

Landon on the Dan Patrick Show following the final

Despite coming up just short of taking Team USA all the way in the FIFA Confederations Cup after a 3-2 loss against Brazil in Sunday’s final, Landon Donovan reaffirmed his status as one of soccer’s dominant players throughout the tournament.

Landon notched two goals and two assists in the tournament, including a goal on Sunday in the first half against Brazil. His other score came on a penalty kick against Italy in the team’s opening round loss. The goal would prove to be crucial, as the U.S. slipped into the semifinal match against Spain courtesy of a tiebreaker of more goals scored than Italy.

Even when he wasn’t able to put the ball in the net, Landon’s play helped energize a U.S. team that had been lacking offensive chemistry in the first two games. His electric play helped spark the U.S. offense to seven goals over the course of the last three games.

“This is becoming the player I want to become,” Landon said after the final. “And I’m proud of where I’m at right now. I’ve done a lot of internal work, and a lot of physical work, I’ve just really focused and spent a lot of time on it and it’s good to see it pay.”

His effort and production were appreciated by his teammates and coaches more than anyone.

“Landon’s been excellent,” U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. “His commitment to every game, his motivation, his pure competitiveness are things that all came shining through. He realizes that he still has a lot of great things ahead. And for our national team to see him in that kind of form, that kind of mentality, sets a good standard for everybody else.”

Despite finishing second in the tournament, Landon said he did not find any moral victories in finishing second and desperately wanted to win Sunday’s final.

“Respect doesn’t mean anything,” Landon said. “If we lose our next two qualifiers, nobody cares about respect. We need to get to the point where we’re winning in these kind of tournaments.”

Landon’s goal against Brazil: