Landon Donovan on Jimmy Kimmel Live

As the World Cup gets nearer, several non-soccer savvy celebrities will be airing their views on the beautiful game.

Last night (April 18th) it was Jimmy Kimmel’s turn, as Landon Donovan was a guest on the consistently average “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”

Kimmel revealed that he once … wait for it … went to a soccer game. He “thought it would be boring” but it actually turned out to be OK. It was the USA 2-1 Columbia game in the ‘94 World Cup, and Kimmel explained to the audience how Andrés Escobar was murdered after putting the ball past his own keeper. “Should we start shooting our own players for screwing up?” Kimmel asked. God help Frankie Hejduk if we do.

Donovan and Kimmel then combined to highlight exactly why the rest of the world hates America right now. Kimmel asked Donovan about the cultural differences and difficulties he experienced living in Germany. “You have to bag your own groceries!” Landon exclaimed. “Oh my God!” was Kimmel’s response, without a trace of irony (well maybe a little). Donovan also said that the best thing about returning to Germany for the World Cup was that “It’ll be nice to go back and not have to stay there.” Let’s hope that gigantic chip on Donovan’s shoulder doesn’t slow the boy down this summer.

A brief header rally followed, with Kimmel and fellow guest Cheryl Hines getting some free tips on how to head a ball correctly (first thing Donovan had to tell Kimmel about a soccer ball was to stop playing basketball with it). Turns out Kimmel could head a ball, and the two rallied back and forth. Maybe Kimmel could go to Germany as central defensive cover?

UPDATE: I had previously mocked Kimmel for believing own goals were called “auto-goals”. Turns out they are, as the Spanish phrase is “autogol.” So apologies to Jimmy Kimmel, and thanks to spinachdip for pointing that out.