An Uncertain Donovan

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by neems, Oct 23, 2012.

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  1. m vann

    m vann Moderator
    Staff Member

    Colorado Rapids, Celtic FC, & Louisville City
    Sep 10, 2002
    Denver, CO
    Club:
    Celtic FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Has anyone ever stopped and thought that soccer is all he's EVER done. Landon has pretty much played non-stop since he was 17. He's crammed an awful lot of miles of those legs and that's now contributing some of the recent nagging injuries. He is preparing for the second please of his life and probably has a bucket list of things he wants to accomplish. We forget he's more than a soccer player. We view him as this bionic, crazy fit, machine like player. Lord, knows I'm guilty as sin!! I think what Landon is going through is completely normal. He started out as a teenager and in American sports many players are in their mid-to-late 30's when these feelings occur. We look at his age of 30 and can't phathem going these pains. The real number to look at is 13 yrs which is his career length. That's a lot of sacrifice; that's a long time totally focused on one thing.

    I'm also curious why people think he's unhappy? To me he sounds content. He sounds like a man reflecting on his legacy. He doesn't seem unhappy. In fact, he seems like a man that has accomplished more than he could ever dream of and that he could ride off into the sunset happy. There is nothing worse that seeing elite athletes trying to hold onto their former selves by playing far too long. Ending on top in the way to go.

    I would be sad to see Donovan call an end to his career but it is bound to happen. Sooner than later it seems. There's is nothing wrong with that. He's human and has earned to right to go out in style. He can never been replaced but USSF, MLS, and LA can move on. They have to.
     
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  2. jond

    jond Member+

    Sep 28, 2010
    Club:
    Levski Sofia
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Why compare him to Americans in other sports? Poor example. Euro's regularly start younger than LD did and don't speak of retirement at age 30. LD doesn't want to retire. Anyone who's followed this closely knows that. He wants Everton. Does wanting to go to the worlds best league permanently sound like someone wanting to retire to you?

    The speculation is this thread of people not following this situation closely is getting ridiculous.
     
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  3. m vann

    m vann Moderator
    Staff Member

    Colorado Rapids, Celtic FC, & Louisville City
    Sep 10, 2002
    Denver, CO
    Club:
    Celtic FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Never once did I mention retirement specifically. I elluded to winding down his career which is evident in his words. Winding down is not retirement. Winding down can mean a myriad of things. The only thing I compared to other American athletes is the age at which they start and complete their career and we forget soccer players start younger. In fact, it was less comparison and more an example of ages. I have followed this whole saga fairly closely. My post was centered on him preparing for the second phase of his life. Again that's evident in HIS words. I am well aware he wants to go to Everton. I know what that club has meant to him. He's said it. I could easily see him call time on his international career in order to extend a club career possibly at Everton. I think you totally misinterpreted my post. That's not entirely your fault. I may not have been so clear. I'm just merely pointing out several things: he's preparing for life after soccer; he's reflecting on his career; he doesn't seem unhappy despite the interviews, and when he does eventually retire all associated parties have to move on.
     
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  4. Master O

    Master O Member+

    Jul 7, 2006
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    "Memento Mori."
     
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  5. Berks

    Berks Member+

    Dec 22, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    These things can *always, always* change, LCAB says it's still early, but from someone who has predicted his forays over to Everton correctly now twice:

    Paul Knight@paul_knight1878
    @landondonovan on his time at Everton, "a fling that grew into a full-blown affair." I have serious man love for this guy.

    David The Toff'@lcabbabeh
    @paul_knight1878 @landondonovan Hes stayin at ours Lad .. Chill , Kid ...

    Paul Knight@paul_knight1878
    @lcabbabeh @landondonovan it's where he belongs. It's sad to think of him losing his passion out there. Good to hear he'll be home mate :)

    David The Toff'@lcabbabeh
    @paul_knight1878 @landondonovan Get the shirt , Lid . Hes in Me Nannas Arl Room .. Local .. Haha #TapsNose

    Paul Knight@paul_knight1878
    @lcabbabeh ah don't get me all excited fella! Should I get him on my shirt for Christmas...?

    David The Toff'@lcabbabeh
    @paul_knight1878 Haha Id say so , Yis ... Its early tho , but , yis Kid Leae it now tho , eh ???​
     
  6. BimmerBenz95

    BimmerBenz95 Member+

    Feb 24, 2012
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Isn't her name Monica Gonzalez? :confused:
     
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  7. comoesa

    comoesa Member+

    Aug 13, 2010
    Christen Press's armpit
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm talking about about the here and now and the future. The things with older players is that things change so quickly.
     
  8. comoesa

    comoesa Member+

    Aug 13, 2010
    Christen Press's armpit
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I have been watching and I haven't seen him and when I have most of the time he's been ineffective.

    Donovan is getting old and the signs are indicating that he won't even finish this cycle.

    Just my opinion. I have absolute respect for what Donovan has done for the national team.
     
  9. Berks

    Berks Member+

    Dec 22, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Enjoy:
    http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/10/23/analyst-extra-donovan-playmaker-still-charts

    #1 in MLS. By a lot. Oh yeah, this year he led the EPL too.

    And by the way, those chances created stats for LA are replicated for the national team. I have posted this many times over, but he has nearly triple, TRIPLE the chances created of the next person (Michael Bradley) in the 8 games he has played with the Nats in Jurgen's era.
     
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  10. comoesa

    comoesa Member+

    Aug 13, 2010
    Christen Press's armpit
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I need more context to those stats. Anyway, I'm done until Donovan proves me wrong so far (here and now) and shows me he still has it against good comp. in competitive games.
     
  11. Berks

    Berks Member+

    Dec 22, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    More context? What context (seriously, I'm asking what context because I honestly don't know what you are asking for that's missing)? That is a giant list of players and several numbers across lots of different competitors. I also threw the EPL stats in, and USMNT team stats. Three different teams. Do you want to know if they were tapins? Cause the gap is so wide versus the next person it really doesn't matter. And he takes no set pieces for LA as a reminder whereas several players on that list - like Zusi and Davis - do.

    And the EPL wasn't good enough for you?

    It's not like he's in that top group of players and there's a question of where he places. Even in a league that's not the EPL he blows away the competition. The next nearest guy (his own teammate that he sets up) creates chances 11 minutes later than he does per game. Eleven minutes. He creates chances 16 minutes faster than Zusi. He is the best - by far - which is what he should be doing with his talent level.

    His issue this year has been injuries and a lack of motivation for three months following his return from Everton. Not a sudden drop in form.

    He's already proven you wrong, here and now, you're just choosing to ignore the mountain of stats. And they are a mountain.

    Look at that chances created stat. Just look at it. Then tell me we don't need him on the USMNT when that area is exactly where we have suffered. Badly.

    Go watch the A&B and Jamaica games on loop, hell, watch chunks of the Guatemala game with poor finishing/set up. Enjoy the experience.
     
  12. Berks

    Berks Member+

    Dec 22, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    As a reminder to everyone who says LD's game is only about pace, that Armchair Analyst chart shows it is clearly not. Somewhere in the last few years his game changed for the better. And that happened as he gained experience. It's something that Gatt will not be able to give us (yet?) - the playmaking ability that LD has honed.
     
  13. notredamefan83

    Nov 13, 2010
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I just don't understand how people can say he's done, that hes too old, and al that nonsense. It boggles my mind people just seem to always doubt him. Ill believe it when i see it. He'll be right there in 2014 you can mark my words
     
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  14. Nutmeg

    Nutmeg Member+

    Aug 24, 1999
    False. Landon Donovan reminds me a lot of Barry Sanders. He marches to his own beat. This is the kid who spurned Europe when he clearly had the talent, and those who know him feel he's seriously thinking about when to hang it up. It might be after 2014, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit if it was before.
     
  15. Dignan

    Dignan Member+

    Nov 29, 1999
    Granada
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    You have to realize that this kid has carried the USNMT and MLS on his shoulders for the last 10 years or so. He was the face. He brought both through some dark times into a place of flourishing and success. He has been doing a lot more than just playing soccer. More than any other player, he has matched up his talent with the growth of soccer in the US. The guy is a legend, and I think the weight of all that is finally hitting him. Aside from the guys who pay the bills, Landon built this league (and consciously so by deciding to stay in MLS and believe in the league).

    We need to get ready for an MLS and a USNMT with no Landon.

    I don't blame the guy, he is a bit burned out (not to mention he went through a divorce during the height of it all).

    But, let us not forget that this guy has been doing much, much more than just playing soccer. He has been a leader.
     
  16. ebbro

    ebbro Member+

    Jun 10, 2005
    This means so much coming from Clint because, as we all know, he hates Landon.
     
  17. furby

    furby Member

    Mar 25, 2003
    This cannot be serious. You must be a lot more confident about the measure of the US vs hex opponents than I am. It looks like all-hands-on-deck to get through the hex at all, much less without our best players.

    I could definitely see leaving him off some friendlies and winter camp under some trumped-up injury, sending B-team players to the Gold Cup to alleviate fixture congestion next summer, talk to Bruce about dialing back in some ways at the club level ...

    But leaving one of our top 2-3 offensive players (and arguably our best - I just didn't want to get into that discussion) out of a roster that is already thin in terms of attacking talent for the must-perform qualifying games to get us into the World Cup?
     
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  18. furby

    furby Member

    Mar 25, 2003
    Well, it should be easy for you to prove me wrong. If Donovan isn't on the WC roster for reasons other than injury, I will stand corrected.

    Let's put a steak bet on it. I'll take Donovan on the WC roster, excepting reasons due to injury, and you take Donovan not on the WC roster.

    Loser sends the winner $10 to take themselves to Applebee's for a $9.99 sirloin and to revel in the correctness and forecasting pride. One of us can just dip our selfish pride in glorious correctness.
     
  19. chad

    chad Member+

    Jun 24, 1999
    Manhattan Beach
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    How does "it wouldn't surprise me" amount to "I bet he won't"?
     
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  20. russ

    russ Member+

    Feb 26, 1999
    Canton,NY
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    As i look at my NFL pick 'em league stats,I think that happens more than we realize,chad.

    Not w/ Nutmeg,though.

    I find I agree w/ the two main points argued in this thread.

    We need Landon Donovan.

    We may not have him.
     
  21. IndividualEleven

    Mar 16, 2006
    As I've posted elsewhere with constant stream of talk from his camp, he's either trying to lower his price for move to Everton or going to hang up the cleats before '14.

    The team on the road has defeated Slovenia, Mexico, and Italy away this term without Donovan. There is encouragement in that the team may not be 'hosed' without him.

    Still what Donovan provided was nothing short of amazing. Pace. Accerleration. Stamina. Touch. He could play the touchlines, stretching the field horizontally and vertically. He was also
    comfortable cutting inside to make a play.

    The breadth of his passing was kalaidoscopic. He could play dangerous balls from deep positions along the flanks, middle postions, and from all over the attacking third.

    He was a willing and able defender. He could track back all game long and still come with the big attacking play late. Only Hedjuk and Bradley come to my mind as being on that level stamina-wise.

    In short he provided the kind of attacking geometry without sacrificing team shape that would normally take multipe players to achieve.

    It's unlikely one player will be able to duplicate what he brought anytime soon.
     
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  22. furby

    furby Member

    Mar 25, 2003
    It wasn't the 'it wouldn't surprise me' part I was referring to. It was the 'false' part.

    You might need to use your sarcasm detect beam to interpret these comments. I'm not sincerely suggesting a bet, and I don't need anyone to send me $ for a steak. That bit was facetious.

    I said that while he may be burnt out now he will ride through it and be there on the WC roster. If that is 'false,' then he won't be there, right?

    I just pointed out that while everyone will over-react to this and endlessly speculate, few would argue that they actually think that LD won't be there 18 months from now. Those that would argue that are reaching quite a bit beyond what he has actually said, based on 'what those close to him feel' or similar presupposition.
     
  23. furby

    furby Member

    Mar 25, 2003
    Geez, are we already talking about this guy in past tense now?
     
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  24. Pandy Flapjack

    Pandy Flapjack The Pompitous of Love

    Aug 30, 2003
    Van by the River
    It amazes that most posters on here find Landon to be more complex than the many faces of John Coltrane when his approach to his career has been fairly simple and constant. Landon does what he wants - and because he is the best player in US Soccer over the last 10 years everyone around him stews in the complexity of trying to make him happy.

    When he goes all ambiguous about being 50/50 for WC14 and make everyone relive the mystique of his awesomeness it tells me he feels he isn't getting the love he deserves from Klinsi about some issue that probably isn't out in the press right now.
     
  25. tab5g

    tab5g Member+

    May 17, 2002
    I primarily think Dempsey just wants Donovan on the Hex rosters so he'll have someone competitive to play chess with on the flights around CONCACAF.
     

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