re: Landon Donovan Final Game Thread: LegenD v. ecuador

Jesus.

Highlights from Landon's pre-match press conference -

-Klinsmann is not there, only Landon and Sunil Gulatti.

-Says that if you had asked him 3-4 months if this day would ever happen, he would have said "No way, you're crazy".

-Gives 100% of the credit for today happening to Sunil Gulatti and thanks him for working hard to make this match happen.

-Says he thinks today is a day he "deserves", thinks it's a day his family deserves.

-Says tonight will be very special and hopes he gets to thank everyone personally.

QUESTIONS

-"What was your initial reluctance to accept Sunil's offer for this match?"
It's not revealing to say this summer was difficult for me, and thought of being in this environment again didn't seem all that appealing. There are difficult moments in life and I've been the beneficiary of mostly great moments in my soccer career, being treated well MOST of my soccer career, being selected when maybe I shouldn't have been, I've had the benefit of the doubt most of my career, this time it went against me and it was difficult for me but at the end of the day, I looked at the big picture and realized what a special day this could be. It's almost like it was meant to be, I believe it's no coincidence that it's 10/10 today. The way it came together was beautiful and I'm glad I get to a part of it and I want to enjoy it."

Full press conference