Soccer Star Landon Donovan Catches Swine Flu

Galaxy forward plays 90 minutes while sick with H1N1 virus

Soccer star Landon Donovan played a full game while sick with swine flu and didn't even know it.

The Los Angeles Galaxy forward told the Los Angeles Times he felt congested on Sunday in Miami but shrugged it off. Then on Wednesday, he felt tired in a game against Mexico City but "assumed it was the altitude." He played the full 90 minutes anyway, though it was obvious he was moving slower than usual on the field. Galaxy lost.  

The next day he awoke with a 100.7 degree fever and went to the doctor. That's when he learned he had joined the ranks of an estimated one million Americans who have contracted the H1N1 virus. "Now it's turned a little worse," he told the Times. "Now it's a full-blown flu. All afternoon I've just had really bad chills and a bad fever and a lot of congestion." He said he doubted he would play again on Saturday.

Galaxy coach and general manager Bruce Arena told the Times his star player likely contracted the virus from two Galaxy staff members last weekend.

Get More: Los Angeles Times, Sports Illustrated

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