After being left off the 23-man roster by U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann, ESPN announced on Wednesday that the soccer star will join its team for coverage and analysis of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Donovan will be based out of the ESPN/ABC studios in Los Angeles for all games, including the ones in the United States.
“Adding Landon to our ESPN roster just before the World Cup is a coup because he knows the United States team better than anyone having played such a huge role in its success, especially at this event,” Jed Drake, ESPN senior vice president and executive producer, said in a press release. “Landon is also one of this country’s biggest sports stars and we believe that he will help attract even more fans to our month-long coverage.”
Donovan, a three-time World Cup star and Team USA’s all-time leading goal scorer, will make his first appearance Wednesday at 3 p.m. during ESPN’s two-hour “FIFA World Cup Preview.”
“I am excited to be joining ESPN’s coverage of the 2014 World Cup from Los Angeles, and I look forward to working with the talented ESPN broadcasters to provide unique insights for our amazing US Soccer fans,” Donovan said in the release.
