Donovan UNFILTERED on Premier League, USMNT & beef with Dempsey! | CBS Sports Kickin' It | Episode 7
In Episode 7 the USMNT legend Landon Donovan joins his former USMNT teammates to open up about his career in the Premier League and starting in Leverkusen, dealing with depression and whether he really had beef with Clint Dempsey?!
Raw. Authentic. Unfiltered. This is Kickin' It - a new weekly show hosted by Kate Abdo and former United States men's national team players Clint Dempsey, Maurice Edu, and Charlie Davies.
The show will see the quartet engage in original conversations and agenda-setting discussion with each other and a wide variety of guests across the soccer world.
00:00 - Landon Donovan joins Kickin' It
00:52 - Did Donovan HATE Clint Dempsey?
5:13 - Donovan reveals he was not mentally ready for the Premier League
8:35 - Donovan looks back at his exerpience at Leverkusen
11:54 - Did Donovan fulfil his potential?
14:00 - Are American players ‘soft’ if they don’t play in Europe?
20:47 - Will Pulisic surpass the legacy of Donovan and Dempsey?
25:31 - Why was Donovan so guarded with the USMNT players?
31:38 - Donovan reflects on his depression
40:19 - The day Donovan and Dempsey finally connected
46:00 - Sneak peak at next week’s episode!
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I really miss seeing Landon wearing the USMNT & Galaxy crests. Watching him & the rest of the US team play at the 2010 World Cup made me fall in love with the sport ⚽
Same here
Donovan and Dempsey are the two best to ever wear the shirt. Great memories.
Tab Ramos was a fantstic player. Very underrated.
Landon needs to shave his head. Clint needs a stylist, crocs? Really?
Pulisic is carrying the torch Dempsey lifted that Donovan started.
They were. They aren’t anymore. Yeah the records are still there, but the talent in Europe is pretty great now. When healthy (I know big caveat) pulisic is better than both. If he played in mls he’d be crushing
Ramos, Reyna and Howard
I am French, with Papin, Zidane, Henry or Mbappé, I should not care too much about them, but no, nothing to do: Landon and Clint made me LOVE the USMNT. They are two of my favorite football player ever. Landon since 2002 and Clint since 2005, oh what a ride it was. Watching those two players giving their best to be succesful with the National Team of a country which, at this time, did not cared too much about Soccer, that was epic. A bit more gifted than many players maybe, and a big heart, an attitude and lot of courage for sure. That draw against Italy in 2006, that run in Confed Cup 2009, that ectic group phase in 2010 (England, Slovenia and Algeria), and that fantastic performance against Ghana and Portugal in 2014, that was unforgetable. Thank you for the memories.
Amazing
Wow! What a cool story, that someone from another country with solid national team, actually followed usmnt. after embarrassing results in 1998, to see this team almost make semi finals in 2002 was awesome
You're American not French
@@BennyH11 Et pourtant ! Je prend cette remarque pour un compliment alors.
Be quiet 🤫
Our new kids are dope, but I will always miss this era of US Soccer. Landon was my #1 guy, but Clint was a very close 2nd. I hope to meet them someday.
Landon was also my #1. Everything about him made me fall in love with USMNT. Those honestly were the good ol’ days
Same
In tough times it’s guys like these that remind me why I’m proud to be an American. Kate’s the 🐐, as well
Kate's an honorary American 😂
Shut up fam 😂😂 joking All love
Landon needs to shave his head. Clint needs a stylist, crocs? Really?
I have a lot more respect for Donovan now seeing how honest he was here. The 2 best, but I always thought what made Dempsey better was his mentality. He was fearless and had such a belief in himself. I think Donovan had all the talent but never quite believed that he belonged with the best players in the world which is why he stayed in MLS. If Donovan had Dempsey's mental toughness and confidence he would've been unstoppable. Great interview.
He had depression, too, which is probably part of it.
In fairness to Landon, he did want to stay with Everton after his first loan spell with them.
Good player but only managed 2 goals in 30 games in Europe.
he would be head and shoulder the GOAT of US soccer
Landon Donovan has spent so much time helping MLS/FOX/Concacaf/Soccer in general it’s so fun hearing him unfiltered. This is the best interview I’ve seen in a long time
Donovan is refreshingly self-aware and honest. He doesn't try to make himself look good, or attempt to be false humble or whatever. He's just real. Understands where he was weak mentally, admits to being jealous of Clint, and also knows, very clearly, why he took the path he did because it would allow him to be the best player he could be... and it worked b/c he's a legend. I miss Clint's "F-You" grit. We don't have that on the team now and could use that edge. Maybe Gio one day if he grows up. On a side note, Charlie Davies does have a tendency to only ask questions where he is a character in the story. It's funny at first, but actually makes him a pretty shallow interviewer.
I agree and it quite surprised me. Wouldn’t be against him being a pundit to share his wisdom.
Mckennie?
Dempsey was and is the One, top American in his day in Europe. Proved we can do it, paving the way.
Absolutely, feel like nobody says this enough. Dempsey is easily my favorite USMNT player of all time but respect to Donovan for what he did in the flag colors. Easier case to make to say he’s the greatest USMNT player of all time (strictly international football) but I still believe Dempsey has a case as well. They’re my 1A/1B for USMNT goats but those with real football knowledge know Dempsey was also playing at the highest level in Europe (early 2000s Prem at that) as you stated. And when Donovan retired from the NT Dempsey still continued to carry us🤷🏿♂️
For me and Probably stats show Deuce was front and center for showcasing American Talent to a highly skeptical , and knowledgeable fans and English public and commentators, though some came before and definitely after (now) he was alone in his campaign. I also thought him and Pulisic were the only ones fighting against the team that kept us and those two out of the World Cup. Would have been Pulisic first and Clint's last, I thought altidore and all the others let them down. I also felt Landon for all his talent wasn't aggressive enough or up to the physical challenge of EPL ball. It is great to meet another Fan of Clint's 4 sure!!!@@NaijaTRG
I respect Dempsey for what he did but he didn’t pave the way. Like he says McBride and Bocanegra were already at Fulham when he got there. Not to mention Claudio Reyna, Kasey Keller, Friedel, Howard etc…
You shouldn't compare Goalkeepers with field players for impact I believe. But Dempsey had much bigger impact on EPL fans and public then those you mentioned. If you don't think so , that's your opinion, but I wonder how much you watched or followed EPL during their times there. Dempsey By far biggest impact , I think even stat's wise he lead. @@socalmotorx
@@oldska8terMcBride definitely had a huge impact before Clint. There is a Fulham bar named after him.
This interview is gold! I love the uncensored aspect about it. It’s so refreshing to hear this instead of the cookie cutter interviews of current footballers
I love Clint, I’m a Texan, but I grew up, wanting to be Landon. Pulisic might surpass them one day, but Landon will always be my favorite.
As a player he already has!
Pulisic is better than landon I don't think he's as good as Clint was in his time at Fulham. Pulisic is not very good.
As a Filipino-American who grew up watching both of them, this just feels sooo cathartic. Like deymmm, to see them talk abt all the nuances and just be real with each other was sooo frickin' satisfying 🩵⚽️
These guys provided numerous memorable moments for the USA. Appreciate all the effort and heart you showed. This current generation has the opportunity to take it to the next level and be special. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
It's hard to hear Landon talk with that honesty, but without a doubt Donovan is a national hero!
I loved the conversation. Very grounded and realistic. Good points on old school vs new school. As a fan I can appreciate both. The current gen certainly doesn't have the challenges the old gen had, but they are benefitting from the foundation established by the old gen. I love seeing the growth of a sport I've been following since the 94 WC. I love that we're producing players that can play at the best leagues. I love seeing MLS grow as it has. Landon also said something that hit home about mental health: Just knowing what it is helps a ton. I have PTSD and I kept getting told by people that i have Asperger's. I went to a therapist and they identified what it really was. That helped me tremendously.
Kickin' It is becoming consistently the most fascinating and real platform for the historical fans of the US game. Thank y'all so much for producing this show. Absolutely loved this episode, and it will sound crazy, but it made me want a Jurgen Klinsmann episode. And maybe a Bruce Arena one, too.
Landon was and still today remains the most clutched US American national team player ever. He should've been on the 2014 WC roster
Landon should have been on the starting XI at the 2014 World Cup for USA on every game. Klinsmann favoring Beckerman instead was and is a 100% stupid decision to this day. You can tell there were issues between Klinsmann and Donovan behind close doors.
They needed the leadership on the bench, if nothing else. Though I agree he should have started every match.
Great Nostaliga and a gift to USMNT supporters. We all miss being the underdog at home games, but happy there is more support and more support to come. Go USA!
CBS thank you as a USA fan since 2002 for this. Guys i grew up watching since I was 10 years old sitting down and just bonding like firends is what i love about KICKIN IT.
Landon Donovan the best American player to have worn the red white and blue jersey colors . Thank you ⚽️
I can hear these guys talk for days 🇺🇸
These are great legends that set up the great hierarchy foe today era.
Great 2 part interview with Landon! Great to see Clint and Landon get to relive old times with Charlie and Mo! Thanks for doing these CBS. And as always Kate adds so much to the interview! 👏🏼
This was a great conversation/interview. I’d love to see another one with these guys and three current players like Pulisic, McKennie, and Adams. That would be an epic conversation imo.
Also, this LD / USMNT interview is gold. thanks CBS!
Still remember watching Donovan and Beasley at the 1999 Fifa U-17 World Cup...Golden ball winner and Silver ball winner. How good were those guys! Can't wait for part 2 and Beasley showing up on Kickin' It in a future episode.
Just to give more context, that Leverkusen team in the early 2000s were filled with many top players, that's why they got to the UCL final, though losing to Madrid. Names like Ballack, Lucio, Berbatov, even lesser known names but high quality players like Basturk and Neuville. It's difficult to break into the first team, for anyone, especially someone from a different continent with different culture. Without taking anything away from Landon, it was going to be difficult. Respect to Landon always, he was a top player during his era, especially for the US MNT. True legend for the game, and a wonderful character.
Landon was a good played and the media done well to make him great. Dempsey was underated by the media and proved to be a great.
“Some people just built different.” What a way to end the episode. That’s Deuce Dempsey right there in a nutshell. What a legend
No matter the score, if Landon was on the pitch, you ALWAYS HAD HOPE!
Donovan was and is the Golden Boy, and that’s why it was harder for him to transition to europe, whereas Dempsey always saw himself as the underdog, the dark horse, and that drove him to work hard and through those hard situations. neither is better than the other. both loved winning all the same, no more than the other. Donovan loved winning and playing so much that he went to where he could beat do that. Dempsey loved winning and playing so much that he went to where he could win his spot and win tougher wins, even if they came less often. Dempsey liked winning the tougher battles, even at the cost of not winning as much, Donovan liked winning always no matter what. Both wanted to be the best. They just went about that differently. Donovan went about it by playing as much as he could and showing the star he was on the field. Dempsey went about it by earning his spot off the field until he could shine against tough opponents.
It's so fun to see this real talk between the these US Soccer legends.
Great stuff. In my very brief meetings with Deuce he's impressed me with what a down to earth good person he is. Charlie's transparency and vulnerability about his accident and other issues has repeatedly impressed me. It's great to see this side of Landon and get a real feel for who is. His play has always impressed me. Now I am equally impressed with his humanity. Thanks for putting this together.
Landon having the most assist in international football recently is kinda crazy
This was such a good show. We really got to see the walls come down. The authenticity and transparency was palatable. Nice job guys (and girls…).
AGES ago, I remember the days of big soccer and mentioning the guy needed a mentor. Didn't have to be an American either, just a mentor. He was doing something other American players hadn't. So what bugged me a bit was at Leverkusen he wasn't even the ONLY American there (Hejduk). I think his time would have been WAY different if the 17-18 year old Donovan got a: "Hey, eat dinner with us or my family" from a Hejduk or Nowotny, Schneider, etc. But that wasn't the culture and way things were. When Donovan was in Everton, he was older, had Howard BUT Neville really helped him out and took him under his wing. He's the type of guy that just needed that and the disappointment is that maybe he didn't get it when he needed it.
Best sign I ever saw at a Galaxy away match: "Don't cry Landon, it's only an away game." Genius. In all seriousness though. Landon was easily one of the best players I've ever seen play the game. Really wanted his move to Everton to become permanent (I support the club) but couldn't blame LA for not wanting to lose him.
Amazing interview
Such a great video, legends of the game
@CBS I have loved this show more than I thought I would have when I first heard about it. Keep this going and Kate has been doing great as well.
Man what an interview!!! Legit. Great job Golazo.
They would have fared better in today's game with the support and structure for American athletes in Europe, but that's what Trail Blazers have to go through!
This series are soo good. Love to see there prospective. Remind me of the LCS
We love you Landon! You inspired a generation
Humble Brag 😂 I love this show. I love fútbol!!!!
Landon and Clint are US SOCCER legends. And yes, it's called soccer. Thanks for all the memories boys. You helped put us on the map.
Nope its not
@@jcesarr0321 It's called Association Football... of which "soccer" is a shortened term for.
@@jcesarr0321 Okay, fine. Quick history lesson. Originally it was just called football. An English sport that got spread around the world. When it got to America well as we do we rebelled a bit and started bending the rules. We decided to use our hands a bit. That's how rugby started. Eventually that got taken to a whole new level of stricture. That's where what we call football started. So at one point in time, we had all three: Association Football, Rugby Football, and Gridiron Football. Within a short time, all those got shortened so they were easier to say. Association Football became assoc football became soccer football became soccer. It was actually goofy brit kids who came up with the name, but obviously it didn't stick over there. The other two are more obvious. Rugby football became just rugby and Gridiron Football became just football. Phew. Now with that out of the way, yes, Landon and Clint will always be legends for fans of US soccer. The most iconic moments of US world cup games (at least that I can think of) featured these two giants. We need more like them.
Americans bastardized it, as usual
Also Tim Howard, Kasey Keller, Brian McBride and Claudio Reyna. All played in England are were big successes.
Kate is so charming 😊 what a great interview.
Dude walked his own path; I still rock my Donovan jersey for matches......
I love this episode
love this. the usa legends man
Donovan will always be Captain America I love his trolling of the Mexican national team.
Landon grew up in Los Angeles agglomeration area and then he was signed by Bayer Leverkusen, a good club based in a small town. Meanwhile, Clint grew up in a small town, and then he was signed by a club based in a metropolitan globalized city. Of course, Clint adapted socio-culturally easier than Landon did.
Donovan played for Bayern Munich on loan in the winter 2008/09 following a request from then manager Klinsmann. A truly memorable quote is from Uli Hoeness quoting legendary Bayern coach Hermann Gerland: I wouldn’t start Donovan in our reserve team, he’s not good enough.
What a team USA it was with them. Absolute respect.
The two USMNT GOATs. Great video!
This is a Good series
Donovan made me to fall in love with how he play especially here in the 2010 WC held here in South Africa
Landon and Dempsey definitely the best but don't forget about my boy McBride!
I remember there was a special signing by Galaxy players at the Home Depot in Inglewood; there was 4 players there signing jerseys, posters, etc. Dunivant, Lewis, Buddle, and Donovan. I had my 2010 USMNT World Cup jersey (blue) they all signed gracefully. When I got to Donovan and handed him my jersey I said to him “I should’ve brought my Everton jersey instead” he replied “that would’ve been awesome!” He definitely enjoyed his time there.
The Evertonians wanted Landon to stay.
I love how talented our current group is but I really do feel that they don’t have the same heart and “dawg” in them that the old groups had.
damn kate is a great interviewer, asks direct questions to avoid the bs
I love Clint but Landon was a marvel to watch
where was this filmed? loving the studio vibe.
Donovan, Dempsey, McBride . Miss those days
Pulisic is doing great for us 🖤❤️ Forza Milan
JR Smith never played for the Bulls, unless of course they mean Zhejiang Golden Bulls
Landon, Clint and Brian McBride, those three were great to watch in the Prem
As a Mexican fan.. I use to hate Landon, i use to call him the Ice cream man(The Horror Movie) coz of his balding hair 😂. Not gonna lie he scored some nice goals against Mexico and is probably the best soccer player the US ever had.
This is a great series. Kate is the best in the biz btw.
In all fairness to Landon, he had quite an effective loan spell in Everton in 2010 and Landon wanted to stay and Everton wanted to make it permanent and they were willing to make a deal. MLS said no.
Charlie's side glances to Mo Edu are quality. Mo Edu scoring in1 the final minute against Celtic quality
Clint is the man
Me encanto este episodio. Next one with other US starts of the past?
Peace bro
35:10 This is why I always loved Deuce.
To me Landon Donovan is my favorite player
First time I hear Edu speak in depth, good dude.
I love these type of interviews and the fact that Kate is able to draw out more insights from these guys. My criticism of these players perspective on their gen vs current gen is 1. Lack of acknowledgment about how much more talent/better some of these players are than them (like Landon and Clint ain’t sniffing the 11 for Dortmund, Chelsea, or Milan) and 2. They seem to dismiss “challenges,” this gen has to face. The reality is their gen was battling lack of respect and interest. And credit it to them for establishing the foundation and platform the current gen can operate from. But the current gen has to battle the weight of expectations and that is an equally tough fight. I don’t think the previous gen had the same expectations placed on them so they could always operate as underdogs. The current gen is expected to win and perform consistently at their club level and on the national team. It’s no longer good enough to make the World Cup, you must make the last 16. It’s no longer good enough to play in Europe you have to make an impact. That’s a whole different level of pressure/challenge these guys don’t seem to acknowledge here. Maybe because they never experienced it
This USMNT era is the one I wanted to see win. Same with mex
Weston Mckennie and Weah are doing good at Juventus to
doing well.
@@golden.lights.twinkle2329 too
I was just thinking during the legit fifa windows in the upcoming 2 yrs would it be smart for usmnt to travel and play the first team players with a few reserve players to replace players that are playing for their countries during the qualifying window, to play like man city,Barcelona,Real Madrid,chelsea,Newcastle , top teams in brazil, Argentina,England ,Spain during those windows to play actual good competition rather than playing lower level countries that can’t help the progess of our team.Tbis can also test our tactics and how we can adjust aganist these teams that play similar to the national teams of their respective countries ?
😂😂😂😂" And I celebrated with chu on that !! 😂
i love Dempsey man thats my guy!
Deuce is a character 😂
Landon needs to address his pk routine ..
I think it was the fans who were split on Dempsey and Donovan, but I never saw any animosity between Landon and Clint when they were playing.
Man these guys made me missed the 09’ Confederation Cup. The campaign was wildly unpredictable ! Group Stage-- 0-3 against Brazil 😩 1-3 against Italy 😑 3-0 against Egypt 🤩 Semi Final --- 2-0 against Spain 🤯🤯 Final ---- 2-0 against Brazil HT 😱🤩🥳 2-3 against Brazil FT 😭😭😭🥲
Those other teams were treating the games as friendlies
@@kb5509 that’s your perspective. Big deal for majority
Gio and Puli have better skills and technique than Landon and Clint... And have a way better team around them. But Landon and Clint would find ways to score against Brazil and Spain. And Clint just has that dawg in him that the other 3 don't.
So true. Although relatively poor players given the current crop of tacticians on the USMNT, I think guys like Hoppe and Yedlin bring a mentality that’s missing at the moment. Gio has got some dog in him and Adams is a tough defender, but sometimes having an Acosta on the field to run psy-ops on the opponent is super valuable. I’m afraid we just won’t develop that toughness with GGG at the helm. We don’t have that Kobe Bryant/Clint Dempsey type guy who naturally channels his grit from within.
Perhaps, but what is often forgotten is the mental skills. Landon easily had world class vision/soccer iq. He was fast, and if he was a better dribbler he might have even been world class himself, but his long passing, his soccer iq and vision easily arguably among the best in the world. There is a reason he still has the most International Assists, by a LONG SHOT compared with anyone else, since they started tracking that stat. Landon is literally in a league of his own in International Assists. Seriously look up the Landon Assists video. There is one he makes early against China (I think) that is otherworldly. One Touch, outside of the boot, no-look pass to an onrunning McBride for a goal.
Probably the one who has vision similarly is Gio. Christian has the soccer IQ, his knowledge of dangerous runs is also top notch, bit he doesn't have the vision as much as Landon does, much better dribbler though and his pace is arguably on par with Landons
Charlie Davies sounds like Charlie Murphy about to tell a Chappelle show story
Am i the only one who noticed kate's accent slightly changed to an american accent???😂😂😂
My boys, LD and Duece
Remember when Donovan slagged off Becks for going to Milan to keep up fitness for a World Cup? How he's changed his tune!
I know Europe football will alwats be top notch but man U.S SOCCER is here to stay!!!!!!
It's crazy how Donovan didn't have to play in Europe to be the Usmnt's best player he would go from Juking Jimmy conrad in MLS to cooking Rafa Marquez in the National team
He's our best national player but he's not our best player Tim Howard and Clint has that crown
The national team still hasn’t produced a player thats surpassed either Dempsey or Donovan. Or a gk on Howard’s level
That's the fault of your strange, money first grassroots system. Nobody else does that
How could Landon Donovan feel good saying “I don’t have a relationship like that with Christian”? That’s so strange that one for he greats doesn’t want to lend a hand or build the comfort/confidence with our, arguably, #1 player.
Vamos
US players should NEVER be punished for playing in one of the big leagues in Europe. If you don't bring in a kid who is in the Leverkusen team and instead bring in someone like Chris Wondolowski I want you fired on the spot.
That part at 42:00 was a lie when Donovan scored against Algeria they hugged 😂
he's talking about an earlier gold cup. Even in 2009 when Landon scored against Brazil in Confed. Cup Final, Clint wrapped his arms around LD as they shouted to the crowd. But I know what he means, prior to that Gold Cup game they didn't really celebrate together, after that they started to.
@@hengineeryeah the gold cup game they are referring to is 2011.
Davies.... Did JR Smith play for the Bulls at all? Not the Chicago Bulls