Wahl_grant
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  • 09:07 PM ET  08.13

U.S. soccer star Landon Donovan has tested positive for the H1N1 flu virus, Donovan told SI.com on Thursday night.

"I felt something when I got into Miami on Sunday," Donovan said. "I just felt real bad and finally went to see the doctor. They took a swab from my nose and confirmed it, so that was that."

Donovan learned of the H1N1 diagnosis on Thursday afternoon, the day after he played 90 minutes in the U.S.'s 2-1 World Cup qualifying loss to Mexico in Mexico City. Even though Mexico has been the epicenter of the global H1N1 outbreak, Donovan said that he contracted the virus in the United States.

Donovan assisted on Charlie Davies's ninth-minute goal that gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead, but Donovan had little impact on the game after that. Usually the U.S.'s fittest and fastest player, Donovan appeared tired midway through the first half and trailed behind Mexico's Efraín Juarez on the run that resulted in Mexico's decisive 82nd-minute goal.

"I haven't felt that way in a game in a long time," Donovan said from Los Angeles. "During the game and even after the game I thought maybe it was the altitude, the heat, whatever. But even so I've never felt that bad. The last time I was there [at Estadio Azteca] I didn't feel that bad. I just felt lethargic, slow. I didn't feel normal."

Donovan said he wasn't sure if he would miss the Los Angeles Galaxy's game on Saturday against the Seattle Sounders. "If I feel well there's no reason why I can't play, but we'll just have to see how I feel," he said. "Judging by how I felt during other flus and colds [in the past], this doesn't seem as bad, so maybe I got a mild strain of it. The [doctors] don't know a ton, so I'm just trying to keep myself away from people and just go by how I feel each day."

For the past two months Donovan has been in a torrid run of form. He has scored in his last three MLS league games and was the league's Player of the Month in July.

Grant Wahl's book, The Beckham Experiment, is in bookstores everywhere. You can order it here. You can also find him on Twitter.

August 13, 2009  09:14 PM ET

Take it easy LD.

August 13, 2009  09:25 PM ET

Get healthy quick, Donovan. We need ya.

August 13, 2009  09:29 PM ET

Wow! We need you Donovan! Get healthy soon!!

August 13, 2009  09:30 PM ET

What they said ^ ^^

Get well LD

August 13, 2009  09:33 PM ET

So that's what was in those cups that were being thrown from the stands.

August 13, 2009  09:33 PM ET

Makes sense, I thought he looked uncharacteristically tired at the end of that game. Get better quick.

August 13, 2009  09:36 PM ET

I just finished reading The First American Soccer Trivia Book (www.americansoccertrivia.com). I think the Mexicans gave Donovan the Swine Flu as pay-back for us getting them disquailified from the 1990 World Cup. Mexico did not qualify for the 1990 World Cup because it was suspended by FIFA for using overage players to qualify for the 1989 World Youth Championships. That harsh punishment was suspected by some people as a FIFA ploy to help the U.S. reach the 1990 World Cup. It remained a contentious point between the Mexican soccer community and the U.S. soccer community for years even to the point that Mexico???s soccer officials perpetuated the rumor that Henry Kissinger helped set up the Mexican coaches who used the overage players.

August 13, 2009  09:37 PM ET

Lots of fluids and rest, and he'll be fine - the kid who plays Ron in the Harry Potter films had that virus, too, and he recovered very quickly.

August 13, 2009  09:40 PM ET

Hey, at least you don't have a bleeding testicle like Adrian Beltre. Get well soon.

August 13, 2009  09:42 PM ET

This is not good.....LD, get rest and get better. No point in playing this weekend if it's gonna set back your recovery. Health comes first.

August 13, 2009  10:04 PM ET

Grant,
Sorry to hear about Donovan having the swine flu but I??d like to get your opinion Mexican fans whistling and using noise makers during the US national anthem before yesterday??s game. That was my first game at Azteca and I couldn??t believe it. Absolutely no class. I could understand if it was 50 or 100 unruly fans but it takes thousands of people to make that kind of noise. I was sitting with Mexican fans and I literally couldn??t hear one note of the anthem. If they hadn??t shown the USA players on the big screen I wouldn??t have known they were actually playing the anthem. I assume this happens every time at Azteca regardless of the opponent or is this special treatment for the ??gringos??? How does FIFA let them get away with this? From what I read in the FIFA Disciplinary Code (http://www.fifa.com/mm/50/02/75/disco_2009_en.pdf) this was clearly an attack on national ??origin?? (see below). I think the fine of CHF 30,000 is definitely in order but I don??t think that will do much to change the behavior. I don??t think forfeiture or loss of qualifying points are appropriate but forcing Mexico to play its next home qualifying match ??behind closed doors?? in an empty Estadio Azteca would definitely send a message. If USA Soccer isn??t going to file a formal complaint on behalf of the red, white and blue, I??m ready to do it as an individual fan/American. I??m sure the TV stations have the footage but I also filmed both the Mexican and US anthems after my Mexican friends warned me before the anthems were played. I??m serious, if USA Soccer isn??t going to take action I??d like to get the ball rolling. That kind of disrespect does not belong in sports. I appreciate your thoughts Grant...Thanks

Article 58 Discrimination
1. a) Anyone who offends the dignity of a person or group of persons
through contemptuous, discriminatory or denigratory words or
actions concerning race, colour, language, religion or origin shall
be suspended for at least five matches. Furthermore, a stadium
ban and a fine of at least CHF 20,000 shall be imposed. If the
perpetrator is an official, the fine shall be at least CHF 30,000.
2. a) Where supporters of a team breach par. 1 a) at a match, a fine
of at least CHF 30,000 shall be imposed on the association or
club concerned regardless of the question of culpable conduct or
culpable oversight.
b) Serious offences may be punished with additional sanctions,
in particular an order to play a match behind closed doors, the
forfeit of a match, a points deduction or disqualification from the
competition.
Spectators who breach par. 1 a) of this article shall receive a stadium
ban of at least two years.

August 13, 2009  10:10 PM ET

this is why you dont go to mexico

August 13, 2009  10:21 PM ET

idiots, he said he got it in the united states. he got tested sunday.

August 13, 2009  10:23 PM ET

I'm mexican and I support you Iowan in Deutschland. There should be some sort of punishment handed out to Mexico. The thing is, mexican fans don't give a crap. You can punish them, kill them, shoot them, whatever, they will be the same the next game. Sorry.

August 13, 2009  10:28 PM ET

NO mention of the National Anthem...???contemptuous, discriminatory or denigratory words or
actions concerning race, colour, language, religion or origin

August 13, 2009  10:30 PM ET

Hope you get well soon because the US Natl team definately cannot do without you for their next encounter.Coach Bradley need to wake up and realise that he has to includeTorres if he want the team to qualify.

August 13, 2009  10:36 PM ET

He didn't get the swine flu in Mexico u ignorant!!!! U know the US is the country with most cases of swine flu IN DA WORLD!!!! ????

Before talking watch or read the news!!!!! And I'm glad Donovan got the swine flu, he well deserved!!!!

VIVA MEXICO CABRONES!!!!!!!!

August 13, 2009  10:42 PM ET

Gusor, Mexico es mierda. Go back

August 13, 2009  10:48 PM ET

Gusor029, you're an idiot and immature. Please stop posting.

 
August 13, 2009  10:55 PM ET
QUOTE(#17):

He didn't get the swine flu in Mexico u ignorant!!!! U know the US is the country with most cases of swine flu IN DA WORLD!!!! ????Before talking watch or read the news!!!!! And I'm glad Donovan got the swine flu, he well deserved!!!!VIVA MEXICO CABRONES!!!!!!!!

immigration? take this **** away.... Just cuz your .43 cent an hour ass wants to make a buck .09, don't hate cuz the ref gave you a few too many calls.... still sitting in 4th... next time you make the world cup is when you host it.... guess we'll all be dead....

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