WHAT ABOUT LANDON?

Byline: PAUL OBERJUERGE Staff Writer

CARSON - Landon Donovan might find these disorienting times, if he weren't the most level-headed star in sports.

The Official U.S. Goat at the 2006 World Cup now is TheMan on the national soccer team.

And the Designated Superstar of Major League Soccer for the past two seasons later this year becomes David Beckham's Galaxy Sidekick.

Donovan just goes with the flow, heading right into the U.S. national team's game with Denmark at 2 p.m. today at the Home Depot Center. The same venue Beckham figures to turn into an international sports focal point when he joins the Galaxy in August -- if not earlier.

Donovan already is adjusting to the two new realities -- his status as Lone Star on an overhauled national team. As well as Second Banana in MLS and the Galaxy.

``I had no idea how big it would hit,'' Donovan said of Beckham and his $250 million deal to come to Los Angeles. ``It was incredible. Literally every channel all day and for the first couple days. We're not used to that. Soccer players in this country aren't used to that.''

At $900,000 a season, Donovan was the highest-paid player in soccer two seasons ago. Now, he makes a fraction of what Beckham will make.

Donovan said he isn't worried about how much Beckham might bank, or how he will relegate Donovan to Other Guy status in American club soccer.

``My hope is that if David makes the game better that he can make it more lucrative for more guys,'' Donovan said. ``We don't have to make $8-10 million a year, but it would be nice to see our guys make legitimate money.''

As opposed to, say, the $16,000 that Galaxy forward Hercules Gomez was paid last season.

Donovan and Beckham share some career arcs. Each has been perceived as his nation's best soccer player. Each was one of the highest-paid players and most popular commercial pitchmen in his league. Each was scorned for not doing enough in the 2006 World Cup.

Each has an entertainment-industry wife - Victoria ``Posh Spice'' Adams for Beckham, actress Bianca Kajlich for Donovan.

But everything about Beckham's cash flow, endorsements and celebrity is bigger. Just as soccer is bigger -- much bigger -- in England.

Donovan has never met Beckham. Likes him as a player, never has spoken to him. But he is looking forward to his arrival. Really. No jealousy is at work.

``Honestly, I don't think about it that way,'' Donovan said. ``It makes things better for all of us, so I don't see how you can be angry about it. It's soccer, it's not basketball, where if you've got one ball and two stars you've got a problem. With soccer, you need better players around you.''

He said MLS needed a jolt to get into the U.S. sports spotlight.

Something bigger than Landon Donovan.

``I'm realistic with myself. I know that I'm not going to make this league huge,'' he said.

``I can help, but it's not going to happen.

``For me, really all I care about ... on a broader scale I care about the game, the league getting better ... but I'm getting a good teammate. A very good teammate. And if I get better soccer players around me, that's great for me.''

Donovan has little doubt Beckham will take his new role seriously, even as skeptics in Europe suggest MLS will be a sort of on-the-job retirement for the former England team captain.

``A lot of people are worried about `Is he going to show up and play well?' All these people, all this press is gonna to be here to watch you play? Darn right, he's gonna show up to play. He doesn't want to embarrass himself. He's gonna be on good shape, he's going to take it serious and he's going to try.''

The national team is Donovan's immediate concern. The U.S. hasn't played since June 22, when a 2-1 loss to Ghana ended its World Cup in the first round.

That team featured veterans such as Claudio Reyna, Brian McBride and Eddie Pope, each of whom has retired from international play, and coach Bruce Arena, who was dismissed and replaced by Bob Bradley.

The U.S. team that plays in the Home Depot today is packed with young guys with minimal international experience and names little-known, even among U.S. soccer fans.

Donovan, three-time U.S. player of the year, three-time MLS Cup champion, is like Babe Ruth among minor-leaguers, at least for now.

His 84 national team appearances, 25 goals (thirdall-time) and 22 assists (No.1 all-time) dwarf those of anyone else on the roster.

He counsels patience.

``You can't help but drop off,'' he said, reciting the names of players no longer around.

``Lots of older, experienced guys aren't here. After 2006, people want us to be all the way back, but it's going to take some time. People should be patient. We've got fouryears (till the 2010 World Cup) to get it right.''

Donovan's immediate goal -- and the new coach agrees -- is to establish himself as the leader of the rebuilding U.S. side.

``I want him to take a bigger role,'' Bradley said of Donovan, ``in terms of being a good example and a role model for guys who are now in the national team and don't have the experience that he does.

Challenge him so that the leadership qualities that we have seen in MLS and in leading his team to MLS Cups can now be more of a factor with the national team.''

Donovan is still young. He turns 25 in March. But in soccer terms, he is entering the prime of his career.

Once David Beckham hits town, Donovan no longer will be The Face of the L.A. Galaxy.

But if he returns to the skill levels he has shown in the past, he could be The Face of U.S. Soccer through the 2014 World Cup.

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CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1) Landon Donovan, a three-time U.S. player of the year, has 84 national team appearances

Karim Jaafar/Associated Press

(2 -- color) no caption (David Beckham)

(3 -- color) no caption (Landon Donovan)