Colin Cowherd Podcast - Colin Cowherd & Landon Donovan React to World Cup Draw: USA Is Group D Favorite

Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Landon Donovan

Episode Overview

This episode features Colin Cowherd in conversation with US soccer legend Landon Donovan, reacting to the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) being drawn into Group D for the 2026 World Cup. The discussion covers the evolution of American soccer, player mentality, the significance and pressure of being a tournament favorite on home soil, and what realistic success looks like for the USMNT. The conversation is candid, insightful, and blends industry perspective with personal anecdotes from two deeply invested voices in American soccer.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Evolution of America's Soccer Talent

• [00:49] Colin: Reflects on Donovan’s unique role as a US player who excelled internationally. Notes how modern US players have more overseas experience, which has matured the squad.

  “This group of players has faced greater competition...they’re more battle tested.”

• [02:07] Landon:
  • Acknowledges today’s players play at a higher level more often but worries that early fame and wealth could sap “grit” compared to earlier generations.
  • Notes recent adversity forced the USMNT to refocus: “Over the last few weeks...guys realize that it's time to get your stuff together. You don't want to get embarrassed during a World Cup on home soil.”

Coaching, Culture, and the Pulisic Conundrum

• [03:34] Colin: Praises new coach Mauricio Pochettino’s culture-reset and questions handling of star Christian Pulisic.
  • “I totally respect that...He [Pulisic] feels global in any league against any competition.”
  • Raises the challenge of treating stars equally vs. recognizing established hierarchies, likening it to managing NFL rosters.
• [05:11] Landon:
  • Sees both sides: “There is a level...where you feel like, I've done the work...I should be a starter, this should be the way it is.”
  • Praises Pochettino for re-instilling pride: “If you declined an invite to the national team, it’s like sacrilegious [in Argentina]...He’s brought real pride back...you have to fight and earn and scrap for every minute.”
  • On handling Pulisic and others: “Pochettino has coached Mbappé, Harry Kane, Neymar, Messi. Some, like, random American player isn’t going to fluster him, right?”

The Pressure of Being Favorites at Home

• [08:01] Colin:
  • Breaks down the Group D draw as “favorable” but warns of the hidden pressure in playing at home and as favorites. “Sometimes playing at home brings enormous pressure...now you’re a favorite.”
  • Uses Australia as an example: “Australia knows they would love to ruin your World Cup.”
• [08:39] Landon:
  • Explains expectations and pressure vary by co-hosts:
    • Canada: Supported no matter what.
    • Mexico: Immediate pressure if they don’t perform—crowd may boo.
    • US: Generally supportive, but a poor start could flip support to pressure quickly.
  • “We’ve never gone into a World Cup expected to win our group—not even close.”

What Does Success Mean for the USMNT?

• [10:02] Colin: Asks what “reasonably appropriate success” looks like with the expanded 48-team World Cup format.
• [10:09] Landon:
  • Uses a college basketball analogy to explain changing expectations as the tournament field expands.
  • Outlines realistic goals:
    • “Winning the group is a success.”
    • “Winning a first knockout stage...should be an expectation.”
    • Notes the round of 32 is not the same as past round of 16, so expectations must adjust.
    • If they reach a match with Belgium: “A team that on paper is probably a little better, but absolutely a game we could win.”

The US Squad: Talent, Age, and Playing Style

• [11:52] Colin:
  • Notes a generational change:
    • “For the first time...I’m not sure our goalkeeping is in our top seven players.”
    • “All seven [top US players] are either going into their prime or just entered it.”
  • Contrasts playing style now ("more aggressive") vs. the past (defensive, cautious). “I don’t feel that way with this team...I think we can be a more attacking style.”
• [13:42] Landon:
  • “Well, it is a myopic American view. That’s what we love about America. We believe we can.”
  • Affirms the US squad’s youthful energy and intent: “They’re like lions ready to get out of the cage. You got to let them go. And Pochettino likes to play that way.”
  • Cites recent results:
    • “We played Uruguay a month ago and beat them 5:1...They were just stunned.”
    • Argues the team should play assertively, leveraging home support for inspiration.

Analytics and the Modern Game

• [15:00] Colin:
  • Comments on how soccer, like other sports, is more analytical now.
  • “Analytics plus, let athletes be athletes...sometimes the clock says eight minutes—do your thing.”
• [15:42] Landon: Confirms his confidence:
  • “Yes. To win Group D.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the new US mentality:

  “They’re more battle tested in all the ways.” – Landon Donovan [02:28]

• On the Pochettino/Pulisic dynamic:

  “Some, like, random American player isn’t going to fluster him [Pochettino], right?” – Landon Donovan [05:11]

• On the uniqueness of the World Cup at home:

  “We’ve never gone into a World Cup expected to win our group—and not even close.” – Landon Donovan [09:47]

• On defining USMNT success:

  “Winning the group is a success. Winning a first knockout stage, because if you win the group, we would play a third place team from another group. Winning that game I think should be an expectation.” – Landon Donovan [11:04]

• On the American approach:

  “They’re like lions ready to get out of the cage. You got to let them go.” – Landon Donovan [13:59]

• On the value of analytics:

  “Analytics plus, let athletes be athletes…sometimes the clock says eight minutes—do your thing.” – Colin Cowherd [15:21]

Important Timestamps

• [00:49] – US' growth in international presence and maturity
• [02:07] – Donovan on player mentality and challenges of success
• [03:34] – Discussion on Pochettino, Pulisic, and team culture
• [05:11] – Landon on balancing earned status with competition
• [08:01] – Group D analysis; the pressure of home-field advantage
• [10:09] – What counts as “success” in the expanded World Cup
• [11:52] – Colin on the age/prime of US team compared with past
• [13:42] – The US should play aggressively, not defensively
• [15:00] – The rise of analytics and maintaining athletic instinct
• [15:42] – Both agree US should win Group D

Tone and Style

The tone is conversational, sometimes irreverent and light-hearted, but underpinned by deep knowledge and respect for the sport. Both Colin and Landon balance optimism for US Soccer's future with clear-eyed realism about the challenges ahead, especially as expectations ramp up on home soil.

This summary encapsulates the content and spirit of the episode, making it accessible and informative for listeners and non-listeners alike.