Translated Donovan interview with FIFA.com

It is hard to believe that Landon Donovan is just 25 years old. The man who shares with David Beckham much of the offensive weight of the Los Angeles Galaxy has received 97 US International caps, has competed in two FIFA World Cups, won three titles in the Major League Soccer, and has won the CONCACAF Gold Cup three times. He has twice been elected American player of the year and recently found time to beat the record of top scorer in the history of the United States National Team.

This historic moment occurred on January 19, in the 48th minute in a friendly vs. Sweden in Los Angeles, resulting in a victory for the home team. The Californian's penalty shot hit the back of the net and sent the previous record of the great Eric Wynalda to a better life.

Claudio Reyna's natural heir as Captain America made time to talk with FIFA.com to talk about his new record, His new role inside and outside the pitch, and his hopes leading up to the 2010 South African World Cup.

FIFA: Many players like to put aside the individual awards, saying they don't matter. What does this US Goal scoring record mean to you?

LD: Generally it's not that important, we have to focus in the important games and continue building our team.

FIFA: After converting the penalty and reaching the 35 goals mark, we saw you immediately grab the ball and carry it to the sideline...

LD: I just wanted to have it to keep for myself. I want a tangible moment I can keep in my house, I'm not going to let it escape or sell it or anything (laughing).

FIFA: Have you had a chance to speak with Eric Wynalda, the man who used to have the record?

LD: As a matter of fact, I ran into him in a charity match a little after scoring the goal, and he came and told me, "Congratulations," and shook my hand. Anyway, Eric is hard to read and closed about what he's really thinking. I wouldn't be surprised if he's saying bad things behind my back (laughs).

FIFA: Of your 35 goals, could you highlight one as your favorite?

LD: I could say it was my first World Cup goal against Poland, but we were losing 3-0 at the time, so I couldn't really celebrate it. I have to say my favorite was my goal in the second round against Mexico. I don't believe I'll be forgetting many of my goals, but I'm sure I'll never forget that one.

FIFA: Against Sweden you wore the captain's armband and apparently have taken a leadership role. How do you feel about that?

LD: It's clear my job has changed a little with the retirement of some of the veterans like Claudio Reyna and Brian McBride, and with Bob Bradley on the bench. The coach expects a lot and puts a lot of pressure on me. But I like it, I don't mind it at all.

FIFA: Many talented teenagers are now arriving with the national team, like Szetela, Altidore, and Bradley. Do you think they look to you as an example?

LD: It took a while for me to realize it, but yes, I think so. I remember the established players when I was young and was trying to make a place for myself in the team, and their examples meant a lot to me. I have to play the same role for these young guys.

FIFA: It also looks like your position on the field has changed, moving back almost to the midfield.

LD: True. Bob is making me play a little bit further back. Still, the things expected of me, like helping to create goals and move the ball around are pretty much the same.

FIFA: After the victories against Switzerland, South Africa, and now Sweden, do you believe that the team is reaching the ideal form with a view to the qualifying games for the World Cup this summer?

LD: These last three victories have been great for us. We didn't play pretty in any of those games, but we also didn't have any problems getting results. We controlled the games and played pretty well. Sweden was a complicated opponent and we weren't very loose against them, being the first game of the year. But we played under control.

FIFA: And how do you see the WCQ? The US will start by playing Barbados or the Dominican Republic in a double elimination.

LD: It doesn't seem very fair that we have to face what is clearly a minor rival to get to the group phase. We along with Mexico have clearly demonstrated our quality in the last World Cups, and yet we still have to go through this very difficult hurdle.

FIFA: But the truth is the US should win.

LD: You can't take that for granted. The games don't always turn out as you hope or imagine. Anything can happen. You might hit the post 8 times and they play the game of their life, and you find yourself out before it's even started.

FIFA: This is an interesting topic. How do you prepare yourself for a game everybody thinks you should win easily?

LD: You have to stay alert and keep up the pressure. You have to go out with the goal of scoring as many goals as possible. The more time things stay even, the more the rival's confidence will increase.