I watched this video: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/s...-in-u.s.-plans,-jurgen-klinsmann-says?cc=5901 Upon reflection, I think him getting dropped a lot during the Gold Cup and the team having some success without him started this phase he is going through. At that point he saw the team could win without him! What he did not see in my view is the fact that even when the team wins without him with him the team is MORE likely to win. It is also apparent that some fans and pundits talking trash may be getting in his head!!
We are a much better team when a healthy Landon Donovan is starting. If Donovan retires from international soccer, it will be a sad sad day. We have no one who can step into that role and be as productive as Landon. Just two years ago, Landon was our top goal scorer in the World Cup and scored that clutch goal that got us our first ever group win.
Regardless of what's going on, it's clear that he's hasn't felt the love for the game he once has. I watched him tonight and I could see that passion burning in him. I hope LAG go far, I hope he contributes because I think he'll be rejuvenated through it.
Landon is unparalleled. Even today at 30, he is a shoe-in starter because of what he can do on the field. I hope he can find his joy again, because he is a joy to watch and pull for. It would be a shame if his mind quit before his body did, much like what happened with Barry Sanders in the NFL.
Maybe he finds more joy playing for his club than he does for the NT right now. And there's nothing wrong with that-it just makes us a poorer NT.
Maybe he still has passion for his club team and that "long break" that he's taking is the MLS off season. Which coincidentally overlaps with the start of the Hex. I don't think he likes the way that Jurgen has the US team playing. And he's not enjoying playing for the US anymore as a result.
Landon strikes me as a very intelligent man. The JK style of management has two characteristics: intruding (meditation, diet, yoga are all great, but when you're a disciplined, smart person, you can do it on your own without anyone playing 'daddy' to you, which is insulting), and wacky (motivational speakers breaking pans and tearing phone books --frankly, if my boss made me watch that, I'd tell him he's an idiot and quit). I think those two characteristics make it hard to stomach for any independent, smart man.
I think you may be right, Suyuntuy. Of course, stomaching this progress to the intruding and wacky isn't Landon's problem alone.
What does that have to do with intelligence or how Landon has taken care of his body over his career? That's right. Nothing at all. This is just a jackoff comment with no intended purpose other than to troll.
Donovan can handle pretty much anything at this stage in his career. He's just at a point where he's mature enough to think for himself and not fall prey to the rah-rah BS. I suspect he's having a bit of a mid-life crisis. I really think that he'll take two months off this winter and come back playing hard. He'll re-calibrate his work/life balance and move on. I don't think it's that big of a deal. One of the things that I've always liked about LD is how candid he is. There are no hidden agendas and game-playing behind the scenes. At this point, though, I wish he would have just kept this to himself, or had the conversation with Arena and Klinsmann. It really wasn't necessary to talk about it to reporters.
What the F was that? That was the silliest, hokiest thing I have ever seen. The players were respectful but deep down they have to have lost a hint of respect. 'You got to believe you can win? Huh. He's master of the obvious. Whatever your mind can conceive your heart believe you can achieve. He's a rhyming wizard. If I can bend a pan you can win a soccer game.
You like how candid he is but you just wish he was more candid with himself and not just pubicly. Can you be candid with just yourself?
I like how candid he is GENERALLY... In this case I don't see a reason for it. That was the whole point of that paragraph. Unrelated... but yes, it is possible to either lie to yourself or be candid with yourself.
Ah. Just a little busting. I agree sometimes I wish all his deep thoughts with Landon Donovan could remain out of the public. The misleading interpretation by all of us just seems unwarranted, and the only way is to keep it to yourself.
Well, i think he signed the contract with MLS so MLS can get a fee for his sale to the epl and then in 2010 Chelsea and Manchester City came calling and MLS kept donovan. I feel all this stuff is a plea to MLS to let him go already and accept a lower fee.
Wynalda has no credibility when speaking on anything Landon Donovan. He has constantly trashed LD's character and literally told lies about him to disparage him in the eyes of US supporters. Why anyone even gives him voice is questionable.