Donovan is making his third appearance in Azteca, more than any other player on the U.S. squad.
We asked him several questions about the difficulties of playing Mexico in Mexico, where the U.S. national team has never won in 23 tries, and at Azteca, where the Yankees are 0-18-1.
Here are my questions and his answers:
Question: Everyone is better at home. Why is Mexico massively better at home?
Answer: Mexico uses all the outside influences to their advantage and let's not forget that they are a top team in the world.
Q: What aspect of the Azteca experience is most difficult for you?
A: The altitude is the hardest part to deal with. Usually with altitude, you get past it after 15-20 minutes, but I was never able to catch my breath last time we played here.
Q: Did Mexico gain confidence from the 5-0 victory over the U.S.'s second XI in the Gold Cup final?
A: Mexico certainly gained confidence from the GC Final, no question.
A: Mexico certainly gained confidence from the GC Final, no question.
Q: What's up with the 3 p.m. (Mexico time) kickoff on a weekday? Is that some sort of gamesmanship?
A: They want it to be as hot as possible when the game starts and I'm positive they made it at 3:00 PM on purpose.
A: They want it to be as hot as possible when the game starts and I'm positive they made it at 3:00 PM on purpose.
Q: You once told me that Mexico is one of your two favorite sides to beat, along with Germany. What are your feelings about El Tri now?
A: Mexico are a very good team that find themselves in a difficult position right now in qualifying. I still believe they will qualify but it'll be very difficult if we beat them tomorrow.
A: Mexico are a very good team that find themselves in a difficult position right now in qualifying. I still believe they will qualify but it'll be very difficult if we beat them tomorrow.
Q: A victory would put the U.S. very close to qualifying. But would finally winning at Azteca and/or messing with Mexico's World Cup aspirations be almost as sweet?
A: Qualifying is the No. 1 goal but it would incredible to do something that no U.S. team has ever done and that only one team has done in the last 50 years.
A: Qualifying is the No. 1 goal but it would incredible to do something that no U.S. team has ever done and that only one team has done in the last 50 years.
Q: Have you seen much of Giovani dos Santos, the 20-year-old Mexico forward, and do you have an opinion on him?
A: Giovani is a player with a ton of talent and is starting to produce for the National Team. If he plays, we will certainly have our hands full.
A: Giovani is a player with a ton of talent and is starting to produce for the National Team. If he plays, we will certainly have our hands full.
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I'd like to think that this time, the Yanks can finally win at Azteca
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