Sports Professor Rick Horrow and Soccer Legend Landon Donovan 3/26/26

Mar 26, 2026

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Episode notes

Landon Donovan sits down with Alex Sherman for a wide-ranging conversation on the 2026 World Cup, the business and visibility challenges facing Major League Soccer, and the personal realities behind elite performance—including depression, therapy, and the pressure to be “on” at all times.

Key topics covered

Why the 2026 World Cup could be a true “before and after” moment for American soccer (and why it could also be overhyped)
What a “successful” World Cup looks like for the USMNT: a deep run plus iconic moments that change public perception
How MLS stacks up against top European leagues—and what billionaire ownership could mean if spending and ambition rise
The MLS–Apple TV model: what worked, what limited reach, and why broader promotion still matters for a growing league
Donovan’s book motivations: moving beyond highlight-reel memoirs to talk honestly about depression, family, and identity
A candid look at depressive episodes, including a drug-induced crisis and how meditation helped him survive it
Youth soccer in the U.S.: “pay-to-play,” win-first culture, broken incentives—and Donovan’s stated mission to change it

Timestamps

10:26 — Why 2026 could reshape U.S. soccer, and a 1994 World Cup flashback
10:28 — What “success” looks like for the USMNT (deep run + iconic moments)
10:30 — MLS ownership, spending power, and what exposure to the World Cup can unlock
10:31 — MLS vs. Europe: where the league stands today
10:36 — The MLS–Apple TV deal and the challenge of reach vs. revenue
10:37 — Why Donovan wrote a book—and why mental health is central to it
10:43 — Depression, suicidal thoughts, and the role of therapy and meditation
10:47 — Retirement, ownership interest, and why youth soccer reform is his “next frontier”

Resources mentioned

Stream Major League Soccer on Apple TV
MLS viewing FAQ and details on watching matches
Lincoln City FC (club Donovan mentions investing in)

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