Ahead of the World Cup kicking off on June 11, we've asked Landon Donovan of the U.S. Soccer team to offer his perspective on the tournament and the role that staying connected to fans through Facebook plays in preparing him and the team for the world's biggest football event.
The fact that the World Cup is less than a month away is finally setting in. I had been focused on helping the Los Angeles Galaxy get off to a good start, which I'm proud to say we have, but now that I've joined the rest of the guys on the U.S. Soccer team at training camp in Princeton, my entire mindset has shifted towards getting myself, and my teammates, ready for South Africa.
It's been fun to see and reconnect with all of my teammates that play for club teams around the world, but it's also been just as enjoyable to hear from our fans. With the rise of social media and greater accessibility of the internet, this year's World Cup will have an unprecedented level of fan involvement and participation. I've definitely noticed the excitement from fans in the U.S. over the last couple of months, but even fans from England, Slovenia, Algeria and a number of other countries are posting on the Wall of my Facebook Page. I expect fan interest and participation in this year's World Cup to reach a new high, and it's cool that all the fans out there can have their voice heard.
After settling in with the team, it's been all business. This great group of guys is focused on one common goal, and we're working hard to get everyone on the same page so we are ready for England on June 12 for our opening match. As we head into the tournament we will be training daily, and we have preparation matches against the Czech Republic on May 25, Turkey on May 29 and Australia on June 5. The group we have here is as talented as I've ever been with, and if we can get everyone healthy, the U.S. team will be tough to beat.
Both on Facebook and in person, I've been asked often about how far the U.S. team can go in the World Cup. In all honesty, I believe we can beat any team in the world, on any given day, if we play our best. Our expectations in South Africa are simple: advance out of the group stage and then from there, anything can happen, as it truly is win or go home.
There's been a lot written about our first game against England, and that should be a fun one. I think we match up well with them in terms of our physicality and athleticism, and it should be a fast-paced and intense game. If we can keep a few of their key guys at bay, I think we have a good shot to win.
After England we face Slovenia, and while many people may not know much about them, the fact that they made it through World Cup qualifying in Europe says a lot about them as a team. We won't be underestimating them. The same goes for Algeria who had to get past Egypt, the African champions, to qualify, so we'll have our hands full with them as well. We're less familiar with the players and style of Slovenia and Algeria, but we have a great coaching staff and scouting team, so they'll have us ready. If we're able to advance through the group stage, really anything can happen.
For me personally, I'm just as excited to be participating in my third World Cup as I was the first time I experienced it in the 2002 tournament in Japan and Korea; however this time around, I am definitely more prepared both mentally and physically.
Along the way, I'll be doing my best to keep everyone updated on my time in camp and in South Africa through my Facebook Page. So stay tuned. And to all fans of the U.S. team from around the world, keep cheering "Go USA" and sharing your words of support. They keep all of us motivated and excited.
Landon is preparing for the United States' opening match against England on June 12.
The fact that the World Cup is less than a month away is finally setting in. I had been focused on helping the Los Angeles Galaxy get off to a good start, which I'm proud to say we have, but now that I've joined the rest of the guys on the U.S. Soccer team at training camp in Princeton, my entire mindset has shifted towards getting myself, and my teammates, ready for South Africa.
It's been fun to see and reconnect with all of my teammates that play for club teams around the world, but it's also been just as enjoyable to hear from our fans. With the rise of social media and greater accessibility of the internet, this year's World Cup will have an unprecedented level of fan involvement and participation. I've definitely noticed the excitement from fans in the U.S. over the last couple of months, but even fans from England, Slovenia, Algeria and a number of other countries are posting on the Wall of my Facebook Page. I expect fan interest and participation in this year's World Cup to reach a new high, and it's cool that all the fans out there can have their voice heard.
After settling in with the team, it's been all business. This great group of guys is focused on one common goal, and we're working hard to get everyone on the same page so we are ready for England on June 12 for our opening match. As we head into the tournament we will be training daily, and we have preparation matches against the Czech Republic on May 25, Turkey on May 29 and Australia on June 5. The group we have here is as talented as I've ever been with, and if we can get everyone healthy, the U.S. team will be tough to beat.
Both on Facebook and in person, I've been asked often about how far the U.S. team can go in the World Cup. In all honesty, I believe we can beat any team in the world, on any given day, if we play our best. Our expectations in South Africa are simple: advance out of the group stage and then from there, anything can happen, as it truly is win or go home.
There's been a lot written about our first game against England, and that should be a fun one. I think we match up well with them in terms of our physicality and athleticism, and it should be a fast-paced and intense game. If we can keep a few of their key guys at bay, I think we have a good shot to win.
After England we face Slovenia, and while many people may not know much about them, the fact that they made it through World Cup qualifying in Europe says a lot about them as a team. We won't be underestimating them. The same goes for Algeria who had to get past Egypt, the African champions, to qualify, so we'll have our hands full with them as well. We're less familiar with the players and style of Slovenia and Algeria, but we have a great coaching staff and scouting team, so they'll have us ready. If we're able to advance through the group stage, really anything can happen.
For me personally, I'm just as excited to be participating in my third World Cup as I was the first time I experienced it in the 2002 tournament in Japan and Korea; however this time around, I am definitely more prepared both mentally and physically.
Along the way, I'll be doing my best to keep everyone updated on my time in camp and in South Africa through my Facebook Page. So stay tuned. And to all fans of the U.S. team from around the world, keep cheering "Go USA" and sharing your words of support. They keep all of us motivated and excited.
Landon is preparing for the United States' opening match against England on June 12.
