Everton fans love them some Landon Donovan

LIVERPOOL, England – By the time Landon Donovan was done at Goodison Park on Sunday, I was fairly sure Everton officials were about to rename the stadium after the guy.

Our little soccer party moved up north from London into the land of the Beatles and Liverpool FC. The northern port city is also home to Everton, which gets short shrift in terms of fan attention in the city. (I told one local that I had gone to Goodison Park the day before. “Ah. To atone for your sins, eh?”)

But they do love them some Landon Donovan around the old and somewhat dank Goodison grounds.

Even for a cynical journalist – “That glass is half empty, I tell ya!” – seeing the affection for Landon Donovan was moving. I know it’s a little late, and you may have heard the tale of Sunday’s appearance at Goodison, so I’ll be brief.

As they announced the subs prior to kickoff, the round of applause for Donovan was louder than it was for some of the starters. As he came on late, the cheers were loud and surely earnest. As he blazed a ball into the hapless Hull City goal, the place came apart.

Then came the chants. “USA! … USA … “

It happened again as he set up Everton’s final goal in the 5-1 win. And then at the final whistle, as he took a short little walk to clap for the fans, the “USA! … USA! … “ chant rang anew.

Remember, these aren’t just Everton fans. Presumably, they are England fans, too. And this same “USA!” will meet England on June 12. It’s been in all the papers, so they all know.

Such is the affection for a guy who earned the admiration and respect quite quickly, not only by fans but by teammates, too. None of them had a bad word to say, and all talked of hopeful efforts to keep the American attacker around Goodison a little while longer.