Landon Donovan on the Dan Lebatard radio show exhibits a fantastic sense of humor

I love to listen to podcast soccer shows from around the world daily and weekly.Some of my fav are World Soccer daily,the UK times online podcast and the Guardian's podcast.But living in America i also listen to 4 sport radio.Football,baseball,basketball and sometimes Hockey, Nascar radio. I am a big fan of Dan Lebatard the Miami Herald writer and sports radio host on AM 790 out Miami.Dan can also be seen on ESPN offering insights and opinion on Pardon the Interruption and Around the horn.Two popular TV shows on ESPN.

Dan is very unconventional for modern Sports broadcasters.He doesn't hate soccer.And though he wont spend hours or even a few segments talking about the beautiful game, he will often defend the game to in his words"His myopic and willfully ignorant audience" Dan will go to bat for soccer and understands the force Soccer is around the globe.

So yesterday without real cause or nothing to promote on the part of his guest Dan Lebotard had Landon Donovan on his drive time show last Friday evening July 31st.What i learned is that i like Landon Donovan.No more Landy Cakes references or smirks when i see the guy who chose the MLS over getting better in Europe.Landon was forthright and self effacing and by the end of the interview i was struck by how wrong i was about him as a person.

Things admitted to Dan Lebatard by Donovan in the interview

He has cried during America idol...

He has peed on a football pitch in Guadalajara Mexico when the US team was locked out of the bathrooms during a World Cup qualifying match.

He is married to an actress who is beautiful.

He admitted he handled the Beckham fiasco all wrong.

He can laugh at himself.

Took his wife to the ESPY's on their first date.But only because he knew he would win an award.Smooth.

His play in Confederations cup play proved me wrong that he is a great player and belongs on a European side.And he is a stand up guy.Despite peeing on a football pitch. I am a Landon Donovan fan.

You can hear the interview by clicking the link.The interview happens around the 1 hour and five minute mark.

http://www.790theticket.com/_SHARED/Podcasts/public/RSS.aspx?PID=1206
Dan_LeBatard_Show_7-31-09_Part_1.mp3