Earthquakes forward Landon Donovan has been named to the United States National Team's roster for its first World Cup Qualifying match of 2004 against Grenada on Sunday, June 13 at Columbus Crew Stadium. The game kicks off at 10 a.m. PT (live on ESPN2), and is the first of a two-game aggregate goal World Cup qualifying series that will conclude in St. George's, Grenada on June 20. Fans can also follow the game live on ussoccer.com's MatchTracker. The June 13 game is the first of at least 18 necessary qualifying matches for the 2006 World Cup to be held in Germany.
Donovan has started five of six games for the U.S. this year and most recently played 90 minutes in the United States 4-0 win vs. Honduras on June 2. Donovan last earned U.S. Man of the Match honors on April 28 for his performance in a 1-0 win over Mexico. Donovan continues his busy year with the national team that included competing in CONCACAF Olympic qualifying with the U.S. Under-23 Team and national team training camps in January and February. The Ontario, Calif. native was the leading scorer for the full U.S. National Team in 2003 with seven goals and five assists and was named the U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year and the Honda Player of the Year.
Donovan will be with the Earthquakes for the club's June 5 international exhibition match against the Canadian National Team and former head coach Frank Yallop before joining the U.S. National Team in Columbus on Monday, June 7. Donovan will stay with the team throughout the week and miss the Quakes match against the MetroStars on June 12 and road game against the Chicago Fire on June 19 while on national team duty.
