Redlands Soccer Star on Roll for U.S., Young Reader Guessed His Name Correctly to Win Six Angels Tickets

A young Redlands resident, Isabella C., is the winner of the June 2013 Redlands Kids' Riddle Contest sponsored by A.K. Smiley Public Library, and she's going to the Angels vs. Minnesota Twins game Wednesday night.

Isabella correctly guessed the answer to June's riddle and won six behind-home-plate tickets at the Big A in Anaheim, Pamela Bunch of the Young Readers' Room said.

Only 6- to 12-year-olds who live in Redlands were eligible to enter. All correct guesses were entered into a drawing. The deadline for the contest was June 30 and the winner was notified July 1.

Can you guess the answer to June's contest? Clues:

"Our hero for June went to Redlands East Valley.
"His scores & assists are too many to tally.
"A national star! In fact, internationally!
"A star in the Galaxy! He plays most passionately!
"At Smiley's Heritage Room you can find a good clue.
"The answer will be there…looking at you!"

The correct answer of course is Landon Donovan, who has been described by veteran Argentine fútbol announcer Andrés Cantor as "the best soccer player in the history of the United States."

Donovan has been on a roll lately for the U.S. national team. He had three assists and a goal Sunday as the U.S. defeated El Salvador 5-1 in a Gold Cup quarterfinal, and he was named man of the match.

The Redlands native and Galaxy veteran now has 54 goals and 55 assists in 149 matches for the national team. He is the all-time career leader in both categories for U.S. Soccer.

The U.S. next face Honduras in a Gold Cup semifinal in Dallas at 4 p.m. Pacific Time, Wednesday July 24. The match will air on Fox Soccer, UniMás and Univision Deportes, according to U.S. Soccer.

The monthly Kids' Riddle Contest is co-sponsored by the Young Readers' Room, A.K. Smiley Public Library & Rochford Foundation-Burrage Mansion. For more info contact Bunch at (909) 798-7674.