Landon Donovan is tempering expectations for the U.S. Men’s National Team ahead of the World Cup while still believing the squad has the talent to make a statement on home soil. Speaking to reporters, including The Blast, during a celebrity appearance at Raising Cane’s new Inglewood Flagship Restaurant on June 9, the former U.S. soccer star said Team USA is capable of upsetting any opponent, but noted that sustained success in the knockout rounds is extremely difficult.
Donovan said a realistic goal for the Americans would be winning one or two knockout matches, but he stopped short of predicting a deep Cinderella run. He emphasized that the challenge is not just winning once, but doing it repeatedly against elite international competition. In his view, only a small number of national teams have ever managed to win the tournament, which shows how hard it is to build momentum at that level. Still, he believes the current U.S. side has enough quality to surprise people.
He also addressed the growing conversation around Christian Pulisic and whether the current U.S. captain could eventually be regarded as the greatest American soccer player of all time. Donovan said Pulisic absolutely has that opportunity, especially if he leads the team on a memorable run. He suggested that if the United States reaches the quarterfinals or semifinals and Pulisic scores multiple goals while becoming one of the stars of the tournament, it would surpass what previous generations of American players accomplished.
For Donovan, this World Cup carries added meaning because it is being played in the United States. He reflected on his own experience watching the 1994 World Cup as a young fan, saying it opened his eyes to a much bigger soccer world. He believes millions of children watching this summer could have a similar experience and be inspired to take up the sport. Although he admitted he is nervous, he said his excitement and optimism are stronger.
Now working in broadcasting, Donovan said the tournament feels especially real as kickoff approaches. He will travel to Mexico City to call the opening match, and he noted that the atmosphere in Los Angeles, with World Cup-related activity around Hollywood Park and SoFi Stadium, has made the event feel increasingly immediate. Even though he is no longer playing, Donovan said he remains deeply emotionally invested in Team USA and in the sport’s growth in the country, calling this opportunity bigger than any the program has ever had.
