Landon Donovan on Jimmy Kimmel Live

April 19th, 2006 | by: Daryl |

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.

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http://spinachdip.blogspot.com spinachdip

They do call it “autogol”, don’t they?
daryl

Oh, it’s a Spanish translation? If so, my apologies to Mr. Jimmy Kimmel.
kapcro

Let’s see one of the world’s greatest sporting events at hand and the topic spirals to “bagging your own groceries in Germany” Tsk, Tsk, Tsk…. Its possible that the politically correct term might be self-inflicted scoring. Check with FIFA. Kimmel isn’t up for any announcing jobs is he?
http://www.worldcupblog.org/the-blog-goes-on/the-blog-goes-on-0420.html The Blog Goes On 04.20 – FIFA World Cup 2006 – World Cup 2006 Blog

[...] Bag your own groceries in Germany. Oh the horror! (USA Blog) [...]
http://www.bensefels.de Bense

I’ve spoken to a lot of Americans about Donovan. Most of them think that Landon is a spoiled brat that didn’t have the guts here, even though given a chance.

Whatever, he should have stopped complaining and act it out like a man, the likes of Cherundolo, Berhalter, Connor Casey, Hejduk and Sanneh made it.

And shit, he was the first who complained that the fact him being an American kept the coaches from playing him. He is/was a huge talent, but tough sh**, that were many players.
http://spinachdip.blogspot.com spinachdip

I don’t know, I can see how Landon can come off like a brat, but I think he’s good as the face of the sport because of his brashness.

He might be un-PC but one thing he isn’t is boring and I appreciate that he’s willing to be the bad boy.