“According to the Los Angeles Times, a pair of Galaxy team staffers (an administrator and chiropractor) who travel with the squad fell ill during the team’s trip to the Massachusetts to play the New England Revolution.”

Story via Goal  Image via Daylife

Soon after, Donovan began to feel poorly.

“I was coughing a little, and when I woke up Wednesday I felt a little tired, but I just assumed it was the altitude,” Donovan said.

Wednesday was the date of the World Cup qualifying game between the USA and Mexico, which ended in a 2-1 loss for the Americans.

Players left directly from the match to catch flights, and Donovan returned to Los Angeles.

“I got home last night and when I woke up this morning, I was just on fire so I took a temperature and had a 100.7 fever,” said Donovan.

The Galaxy player went to the doctor and had his illness confirmed.

“It’s a full-blown flu,” Donovan said. “All afternoon I’ve just had really bad chills and a bad fever.”