An American soccer star has become the target of backlash after appearing in an ad inviting U.S. soccer fans to cheer on Mexico in the World Cup.
The star of the U.S. men’s national team, Landon Donovan, appeared in a Wells Fargo ad holding a scarf that reads, “My Other Team is Mexico.”
The tournament is here! USA fans, our team may not be in Russia, but our neighbors to the south are. So join me and their proud #sponsor @WellsFargo to cheer on our other team, Mexico @miseleccionmxEN. ¡Vamos México! pic.twitter.com/YIifLGCT0D
— Landon Donovan (@landondonovan) June 16, 2018
“Our team may not be in Russia, but our neighbors to the south are,” read the tweet featuring the photo of the 36-year-old native Californian who played for Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy.
The U.S. men’s team did not qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, currently taking place in Russia, and American fans have been left wondering whether they should root for another team or wait until the U.S. qualifies for the next World Cup tournament.
But Donovan’s Wells Fargo ad appeared to not be a welcome option for many fans who tweeted their responses.
Former U.S. player Taylor Twellman, now working for ESPN, had an extreme reaction against cheering on the Mexican team.
I’d rather cut off my toe than “root for ??” & I’m on the outside on this one, but how could I root for my/our rival?! Imagine any ?? players rooting for ?? today?! I can’t imagine how @AmericanOutlaws would feel if I rooted for Mexico….but then again I’m old school. https://t.co/wN910307vI
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) June 16, 2018
Former American soccer star Cobi Jones announced that “Mexico is not ‘my team.’” It is understandable that the Michigan native would feel this way as he was injured by a head butt from Mexico’s Rafa Marquez in 2002.
Nah man!!! Mexico is not “my team.” Mexico is a… https://t.co/mLvcYSMBas
— Cobi Jones (@cobijones) June 17, 2018
Donovan’s appearance in the ad sparked criticism but the soccer star’s self-defense seemed to fuel the flames.
You grew up in SoCal and owe much of your soccer skill to playing with Mexicans. Your father is of Mexican descent (??♂️). Look around our country, are you happy with how we are treating Mexicans? Open your mind, stand for something & remember where you came from ✌?❤ https://t.co/1oOD3asfDk
— Landon Donovan (@landondonovan) June 16, 2018
Former USMNT player and son of Mexican immigrants, Herculez Gomez, slammed Donovan for lecturing his teammates.
This is an incredibly terrible take. Questioning ones loyalties to culture and/or heritage because HE questioned YOU for taking marketing dollars to “root” for your SPORTING RIVAL?
You can hate El Tri- this doesn’t mean you have anything against Mexicans. ✊? ?? ?? https://t.co/xF9JCI1qBC
— herculez gomez (@herculezg) June 16, 2018
Others blasted Donovan for the ad and his apparent allegiance to the Mexican team.
Landon Donovan supporting the Mexican national team? ?? But that’s like our biggest rival … have you no shame???
— Edward Aschoff (@AschoffESPN) June 17, 2018
Landon Donovan’s legacy is cancelled https://t.co/b1nqXx61Ya
— The Artist Formerly Known As Man Bun (@TampaBayTre) June 16, 2018
Donovan posted a follow-up tweet on Sunday, attempting to cool some of the heat.
“(M)y heart bleeds red, white and blue and no one should ever question my allegiance to and support of US Soccer and all of its national teams,” he wrote.
— Landon Donovan (@landondonovan) June 17, 2018
But it may have been too little, too late.
Nobody’s saying you can’t root for another team. You just can’t root for your main rival.
— Max Krull (@Cruadal24) June 17, 2018
Under what circumstance do you see Mexican fans cheering for the United States, let alone a 100-cap legend (say, Rafa Marquez) encouraging them to do so?
— Jim Barringer (@jmb783) June 17, 2018
I’d say the problem is more about profiting from a campaign centered on the fact the US didn’t make the world cup. We’re hurting, you’re making money.
— Chris (@cspie19) June 17, 2018
Too late man. It’s not a good look for a US soccer legend to do that. You just water down the meaning of #DosACero to nothing, which is too bad!
— Vanthay (@ZoomZoomVan) June 17, 2018
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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