GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!!!!

Many of you know I am a HUGE soccer fan... many of you just found that out...

TODAY is a BIG game for the U.S.! I have been watching the games, and in the back of my head thinking that there was NO way the U.S. had any chance of winning this year. They came into the FIFA Cup with tough match ups, and against all odds here they are in the semifinals....

Leading into the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, the U.S. Men’s National Team knew it had a tough road ahead, slated to open against the reigning World Cup champions before matches against the always powerful Brazil and two-time defending Africa Cup of Nations champions Egypt. Before the tournament, no one gave the U.S. a chance, and those who did mostly changed their minds after the team got off to a rocky start. None of that matters now as the U.S. gets set to take on No. 1-ranked Spain in the tournament semifinals while several quality teams have departed, an opportunity that fans across the globe never thought the Americans would have. (copied from the Official Site of U.S. Soccer Team) Let me introduce you to LANDON DONOVAN.... he is (and has been) my favorite soccer player for some time now. We named our little boy after him, and hope he will follow in the footsteps of this great leader. Landon began playing for the U.S. national program and made his international debut with the Under 17 (U-17) team. Later, Landon became the youngest player ever to be called up to the U-23 team. Landon leads the USA’s all time goals and assists lists. He is also the youngest player in U.S. history to reach 50 caps (international appearances) and will be the youngest player to reach 100 when he gets his next international cap.
In 2007, Landon had another great season leading the Galaxy with 8 goals and a new career high 13 assists. Landon was involved in over half the team’s goals and was named to the MLS All-Star Team for the seventh straight year. That year Landon joined an elite list comprised of only eight players in MLS history to have both 60 goals and 60 assists. Even more impressive is the fact that he accomplished this at only 25. Landon is also 10th in MLS regular season goal scoring history with 72 goals and 2nd in playoff history with 14.
The start of the 2008 season was Landon’s best yet with 9 goals in the first 9 games of the season. He and newly acquired David Beckham formed a dynamic offensive connection, and Landon tallied 20 goals and nine assists. His season earned him the Budweiser Golden Boot award as well as his eighth appearance on an MLS All-Star Team. He was also named the Galaxy’s MVP and Humanitarian of the year. Despite his landmark season, the Galaxy struggled to a second-to-last place finish in the western conference.
His start to the 2009 season has proved just as promising as the previous season, as he has notched 6 goals and 3 assists in 10 games. His hot streak has the Galaxy thinking about a possible return to the playoffs. I think so!!

Here is DAVID Beckham and LANDON Donovan.... is it coincidence that my baby's name is LANDON DAVID BIRD.... haha! ( David is actually Matt's middle name, but I love the irony) GO U.S.!!!