Soccer star Donovan proud of US World Cup performance

Landon Donovan said he’s keen to get back to work with the Los Angeles Galaxy, and was proud of the US team’s World Cup performance despite their round of 16 exit.

“I think we felt that the Ghana game was a game we should have won,” Donovan admitted after his first practice with the Galaxy since returning from South Africa.

Ghana ousted the United States with a 2-1 victory in extra time last Saturday.

Donovan scored three goals in the World Cup and said he believes the Americans have progressed during the last several tournaments.

“People assume that there’s linear progression from World Cup to World Cup,” Donovan said. “It couldn’t be further from the truth. France and Italy were in the final four years ago and neither of them got out of their group.

“The fact that we’ve now qualified for six in a row, and that we’ve gotten out of our group two out of the last three, I think is a fantastic achievement for our country.”

Donovan credited coach Bob Bradley for boosting that progress.

“I think Bob has done a fantastic job,” Donovan said. “The most telling thing about Bob’s tenure, and all the players talked about this, is that there was no game we went into that we were in awe of or feared our opponent.

“I remember when I first came into the national team, we played against a lot of teams where you could see in guys’ eyes that they were scared. That’s never happened with Bob as the coach.”

Donovan said he was looking forward to his Major League Soccer return, and expects to stay in the US league for the time being.

English Premiership clubs Manchester City and Everton have been reported to be interested in Donovan, who played for Everton on loan earlier this year.

“Right now, I want to be in America,” Donovan said. “If there is something serious to look at, then I will. I never say never to anything. But for now, I’m very excited to be home.”