Landon Donovan

American soccer star Landon Donovan is so famous in Mexico that he's appearing in a new TV commercial for a product he'd never be promoting in the United States — gambling on a soccer lottery. In the ad, Donovan slithers across the border from the United States into Mexico disguised as a campesino, or peasant. He's wearing a huge sombrero with a brightly colored poncho draped over his shoulders. He adds to his feeble attempt with a bushy, stick-on mustache. A yawning border guard immediately recognizes the gringo sneaking through the tall grass. "I'm a Mexican," Donovan pleads in Spanish. The guard peels off ... Read Full Story

U.S. midfielder Landon Donovan scored his first Premier League goal, giving Everton a 2-0 lead against Sunderland on Wednesday night. Donovan, on a 10-week loan from Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy, scored in the 19th minute at Goodison Park with a left-footed shot off a headed pass from Tim Cahill, who headed in the first goal in the sixth minute. Donovan has signed a new contract with the Galaxy through 2013 and is scheduled to rejoin the team for its March 27 league opener, but a MLS work stoppage could start next week and prompt Donovan to try to extend the loan. Read Full Story

Landon Donovan repeated the words, unable to wipe the smile from his face. "It never ends," he said. The American midfielder and England star David Beckham may be forever linked by their tumultuous time together with the Los Angeles Galaxy. And just when they seemed to have fully embraced the idea of playing for the same team, the World Cup draw on Friday put the United States against England in their opening match in South Africa next June. Indeed, their story never seems to end. "I wish we could have got a shot of his face as that happened," said Donovan, who promised to ... Read Full Story

Landon Donovan was named winner of the US Soccer Federation's male athlete of the year award on Monday after helping spark the Americans into next year's World Cup in South Africa. The 27-year-old playmaker also won the award in 2003 and 2004 and his third honor matches the all-time mark held by goalkeeper Kasey Keller. "It's a great accomplishment and a great award," Donovan said. "I'm very proud of it and knowing that the fans vote on it, your teammates vote on it, and your colleagues vote on it is very special to me." Donovan, named Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Player as well, ... Read Full Story

US forward Landon Donovan has contracted swine flu but is not contagious and he might play for the Los Angeles Galaxy in a Major League Soccer match on Saturday against visiting Seattle. The Galaxy announced Friday that Donovan had tested positive for swine flu and that the midfielder, coming off the Americans' 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat in Mexico, would not practice on Friday but might play on Saturday. "It certainly depends on how Landon feels and what the doctors tell me," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. "He might be an option, depending on how quickly he can turn it around." England midfielder David ... Read Full Story