Landon Donovan Says Privilege is HURTING American Soccer + Playing Against Prime Messi & Ronaldo

Landon Donovan Says Privilege is HURTING American Soccer + Playing Against Prime Messi & Ronaldo

In this week's episode of The Late Run, Landon Donovan—the most decorated American men's soccer player of all time—joins Ocho and Raheem. From the jump it's clear how different his road was from Chad's. While Ocho was a drafted NFL star with people lining up at his door, a 19-year-old Landon was being sent to a park to entertain 11 kids just to sell 30 tickets. Landon gets into the culture shock of moving to Bayer Leverkusen alone at 16, the 2012 sabbatical that nearly ended his career and why he became one of soccer's first mental-health voices, the Jürgen Klinsmann decision that cost him the 2014 World Cup, why he refuses to pick between Messi and Ronaldo after facing both in their prime, how David Beckham's gamble saved MLS, and the $50K pay-to-play problem he says is quietly killing American soccer. Plus the grit he thinks the current generation is missing—and why the World Cup at home could change everything. CHAPTERS: 00:00 — Intro 01:23 — Where it started + how US soccer fandom exploded 05:19 — The promo grind: 11 kids to sell 30 tickets 08:23 — Leverkusen at 16 + the Canada question 24:30 — The 2012 sabbatical & mental health 28:57 — The Klinsmann snub + Ocho's Patriot Way 35:08 — Did Beckham save MLS? 37:04 — Facing prime Messi & Ronaldo 41:57 — The $50K problem killing US soccer 49:07 — The grit that's missing today SUPPORT THE SHOW: Grab your FREE House of Goal tickets here and celebrate the World Cup with us at New York’s largest soccer culture festival: http://www.goal.com/houseofgoal Start using Codex for free at http://chatgpt.com/codex New DraftKings customers, bet $5 and get $100 in bonus bets instantly. The Crown Is Yours! Sign up using http://dkng.co/thelaterun or through my promo code THELATERUN. #dkpartner GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, 800-327-5050/visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 800-981-0023 (PR). Wagering offered by DK Sportsbook: 21+. Present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in ONT. On behalf of Boothill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. Event Trading offered by DraftKings Predictions, CFTC-registered: 18+. Trading involves risk of loss. Market availability varies. Predictions offer void in NY. General: 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ deposit req. Trade $5, get $200 Prediction Dollars (1-year expiry) issued as $50 increments every 7 days via click-to-claim for 21 days; or bet $5, get $200 Bonus Bets instantly (7-day expiry and stake removed from payout). 7 days = 168hrs. Rewards are non-withdrawable. Terms: dkng.co/offer. Ends 6/28/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

CM Punk on Match in Brazil Cut Short by Armed Guards + Messi vs Ronaldo GOAT Debate

CM Punk pulls up to The Late Run with the belt — and the WWE World Heavyweight Champion turns out to be a bigger football head than anyone expected. Ocho and Raheemovic get Punk talking Celtic loyalty (he's half Irish, and rival Drew McIntyre reps Rangers), why Celtic vs Rangers is "200 years of religious hatred," and why most Americans only wake up to soccer for the World Cup. Then it gets wild: Punk tells the story of the night in Brazil when an opponent disrespected the Brazilian national flag mid-match — and the ring got surrounded by armed men aiming straight at him. Plus, the crew debates: who's the better actor, a diving footballer or a wrestler selling in the ring? Who trash talks better, WWE or soccer players? And the big one — Punk names his soccer GOAT (hint: a flying knee KO is involved) and goes Messi over Ronaldo. Ocho shares his dream WrestleMania entrance (Free Bird, oiled-up, cigar in hand), and Punk names which footballer’s would make the best WWE Superstars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ocho's Soccer TWIN: Mario Balotelli on Italy's Collapse & Why He REFUSED to Change for Any Club

In this episode of The Late Run, Premier League and Champions League winner Mario Balotelli joins Ocho and Raheem. From the opening bow, it's clear these two are cut from the same cloth: two of the most unapologetic showmen their sports have ever produced, in one room. Chad doesn't call himself "Balotelli Jr." for nothing. Mario gets into why the Italy national team has fallen so far and how he'd fix it, the rough Liverpool year that left him low in England, the racism he faced in Serie A and why he calls it ignorance, the Mourinho red-card story, his Barcelona trial at 15, and what really happened on that LA Galaxy backheel. Plus his verdict on the Messi–Ronaldo debate ("Messi is not normal"), the one player he rates above him, life after football, and the launch of his new "Why Always Me?" project. Ocho and the crew also break down the USMNT's World Cup run on Oo's Props. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Rey Mysterio on Mexico vs USA World Cup Prediction + Who’s the Ronaldo & Messi of the WWE

Rey Mysterio Jr. walks into the Late Run and immediately makes it personal. The WWE Hall of Famer breaks down why the mask means everything to Mexican culture, what it'll feel like at Azteca for the World Cup opener, and how Maradona shaped his love for the beautiful game. Then it gets heavy: 14 ACL tears, the moment he almost tapped out for good, and how his son reignited his fire as they made history together. Ocho and Raheemovic push Rey on Mexico vs USA at this World Cup and the timeless Messi vs Ronaldo debate (spoiler: Rey breaks Ocho's heart). They also crown the Messi & Ronaldo of the WWE: Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. And finally, who are the better actors: Footballers or Wrestlers? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Canada's No. 1 on Being Messi's Teammate & Why Keepers Are the NEW Playmakers

Chad Ochocinco and Raheem Taylor Parkes put the GOAT question to Inter Miami's Dayne St. Clair — the only man who trains next to Messi every day — and get a one-line answer that stops the tape. From NFL pressure vs. World Cup nerves to whether MLS finally gets its respect, this one lives in the crossover. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]