Great Soccer Moments on the “Late Show with David Letterman”
Most soccer players have grown up with knowing that David Letterman says goodnight to America on his late night TV show. After 33 years as the fun filled late-night host, the man who did stand up comedy in San Diego and became America’s late night friend interviewed everyone from Obama to Beckham. David Letterman has said good night for the last time after more than 6,000 broadcasts.
Regardless of if you had won an Oscar or a Gold Medal, being on David Letterman was a special privilege and accomplishment; joining a long list of famous people and stupid pet tricks.
Perhaps the funniest moments were when Letterman tried to understand soccer. Creating moments of gut wrenching laughter, Letterman would ask about stoppage time or the top ten ways to get Americans excited about soccer:
Ahead of the 2002 World Cup, the USMNT players helped Dave with his nightly countdown:
10. “Rename the sport Deathball 3000.”
9. “From now on, you can’t use your feet either.”
8. “Constitutional amendment stating if U.S. wins World Cup, every American gets a brand new car.”
7. “More players who look like Mia Hamm – fewer players who look like Davor Vugrinec.”
6. “Instead of ‘Gooooal!’ have that announcer yell, ‘Yahtzee!'”
5. “Printed on every red card, a collectible Star Wars photo.”
4. “Drunken monkey goalies.”
3. “Find a way to involve that hilarious San Diego Chicken.”
2. “You mean millions of Americans aren’t getting up in the middle of the night to watch us play?”
1. “Give Tiger Woods a soccer ball, America will never lose again”
While MLS’ favorite David Letterman moment was when America’s favorite player Landon Donovan tried to teach him about soccer:
My favorite are Letterman’s Top Ten Things I Can Say Now that I’ve Won a Gold Medal, when the US women’s national team players helped Dave with his nightly countdown after winning the 2004 Olympic gold medal in Athens:
10. “Thinking the soccer ball was Letterman’s head, made it more fun to kick.” — Heather O’Reilly
9. “I’m saving on my gold medal insurance thanks to Geico!” — Lindsay Tarpley
8. “Now that the Olympics are over, it will be fun to use our hands again.” — Cat Reddick
7. “I swiped a couple of miniature bottles of shampoo from the Athens Marriott.” — Brianna Scurry
6. “We tested positive for being 18 really hot soccer babes.” — Abby Wambach
5. “I regularly go to McDonald’s to satisfy my Olympic-sized appetite. I just made $10,000 for saying that.” — Kristine Lilly
4. “It was such an honor to play in front of dozens and dozens of crazed fans.” — Joy Fawcett
3. “Thank goodness I won this thing–on the way to the theater my medal stopped two bullets.” — Julie Foudy
2. “I’m pleased to announce that I’m now Mrs. Bob Costas.” — Brandi Chastain
1. “It’s pretty clear who wears the pants in the family now, huh Nomar?” — Mia Hamm
Hope Solo and Abby Wambach from the U.S. Soccer Team on David Letterman – Following 2011 World Cup:
Top Ten Thoughts Going Through Luis Suarez’s Mind – Following Famous World Cup Bite:
https://youtu.be/30v2u3osIFc
What will we do without Letterman next month when the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off in Canada?
