The United States of America may not be competing at this year's World Cup in Russia, but, it hasn't stopped Landon Donovan buying into the spirit of things.
Failing to compete at the tournament for the first time since 1986, Donovan, a player with over 150 international appearances to his name, has called on America's dispirited football fans to support their southern neighbours, Mexico.
In a media campaign for Wells Fargo, Donovan encouraged fans to "cheer on our other team" as they open their World Cup campaign against Germany this afternoon.
Unsurprisingly perhaps, Donovan's generosity of spirit hasn't gone down too well with a few of his former US teammates.
Former Rangers and US defender Carlos Bocanegra kept his thoughts on Donovan's stance brief.
Really? https://t.co/nlhHJ8CUNG
— Carlos Bocanegra (@BocaBoca3) June 16, 2018
Not that Donovan himself was keen to let it lie there.
A current member of the national side, Ethan Finley, was a touch more blunt in his assessment.
— Ethan Finlay (@EthanFinlay13) June 16, 2018
Many notable figures from US soccer were equally keen to distance themselves from Donovan's commercial ploy.
#unsponsored thought re: pushing #USMNT fans to root for #ElTriEng . Please don’t do it 🇺🇸 fans. The rivalry, with all its rancor & spite, is THE defining element of ⚽️ in our region. Watering it down for beer/banks won’t enrich the rivalry, just @AlexiLalas & @landondonovan.
— Sebastian Salazar (@SebiSalazarFUT) June 16, 2018
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
Can’t tell u how disappointing it is to have made personal & financial sacrifices to try & hold our federation accountable only to see former USMNT players profit off the result of that poor governance by asking US fans to support our rivals in the tournament we failed to reach
— Over Under Initiative (@OverUnderPlay) June 17, 2018
While former US player Cobi Jones took to Instagram to share his disgust; "Nah man, Mexico is not 'my team'."
Let's hope Wells Fargo pay well, anyway.
