San Diego Wave interim coach Landon Donovan knows he faces a “steep” learning curve when it comes to training NWSL players and acknowledges that process will have to happen fast and on the job.
The U.S. soccer legend, who will coach a professional women’s team for the first time, was announced as Wave’s new interim last Friday. Less than a week after his hiring, Donovan will make his debut on the sidelines Tuesday in a Concacaf W Champions Cup match against Santa Fe FC in Panama City, Panama.
“Steep, for sure,” Donovan said at his introductory press conference on Monday. “I have a baseline, I know a lot of the players here [in San Diego] from watching them throughout the last few seasons, but the rest of the league…I’m going to have to lean on people, and I’m getting up to speed fast.
“So I’ve watched a ton of film in the last two weeks trying to understand the league better.”
The 42-year-old will seek to revive the NWSL Shield holders that are currently outside of a playoff position. Past the halfway point of the regular season, the Wave have a 3W-6D-7L record.
“There’s gonna be lots of bumps on the road,” said Donovan. “You will not see a team that’s perfect tomorrow by any means, but there will be progress. I think it will be clear to see. And then…
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