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Landon Donovan is the reason why so many people in the United States are football fans.
At the 2010 World Cup, Donovan scored a last-minute goal against Algeria, giving the Stars and Stripes a group win and bringing a country together.
“That kind of moment changed my life forever,” Donovan told PK Press Club Digital in a recent interview. “I mean, there’s not a day that I’m at an appearance or doing something that someone doesn’t come up and say something about it. And honestly, what I get more than anything is, ‘I became a football fan that day 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 the Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, 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. 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 speeds up that process, it’s amazing because you’ve worked so hard. I’ve had 10 years of appearances, media and playing and all these things for a Moment in the 122nd minute to do more than all that.”
Now, Donovan is one of the faces of FanDuel’s soccer betting this World Cup, where he’s running promotions like Super Sub, where if a player you’re betting on to score is substituted, your bet automatically transfers to that player’s replacement and stays alive until the end of the game.
“It tips the scales a little more in your favor and it keeps you engaged. Usually when a player is replaced, we’re all screwed,” Donovan said with a laugh. “So it’s going to be a really fun summer and the fans will be able to tip the scales 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 the 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 and who I’m sure will get into this at some point.”
Now that the 2026 World Cup is days away from taking place in the United States, Donovan said this year’s USMNT may have even more “responsibility” than him to take advantage of a sport that’s dying to grow here.
Of course, for the players, there are much more important things to worry about – but Donovan said that was always on 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 that 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 the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane, South Africa, June 23, 2010. (Jeff Mitchell/FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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“As you get older, you have a responsibility to do your job and contribute to the development of the sport. And that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun or enjoyable or anything. 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 Friday in Los Angeles against Paraguay.
