Landon

[Perugina]

So basically he's not good enough to start....he should just come on back to MLS.

[lillefty7]

So basically he's not good enough to start....he should just come on back to MLS.

I very much so hope that was a joke.

[Ricardao]

Ponte isn't even match fit and is starting ahead of him... I am sure he will suceed though just not like many of you will like. Suceed in keeping the bench warm, which sucks because he could be used so many other places and actually get to compete.

I mean how can sitting on the bench in your prime be a benefit to your game? A year before the WC and your star player is playin tag on the bench, I would be pissed and worried.

[Scarecrow]

Why bother bringing him back if he wasn't going to play much?
I hope Landon asks to be transferred in June unless he starts seeing some playing time. LD may not be the best in the World, but he is good enough to not sit the bench all game every game.

[helmzgk]

Wow, he's played all of what, four games and we're already trying to determine if he's going to fail or acheive? He's seen time in all four games, and has had an assist, and people are trying to tell him to move on? relax people, he's a good player, and he'll slowly be brought in the BL system. Their coach is very happy with him, and Ponte is on his toes trying to play consistently well. Donovan will get in there and show his skills. I honestly won't be surprised if BL sell Ponte at the end of this season and keep Donovan. He's going to be just fine.

[strider026]

Ponte isn't even match fit and is starting ahead of him... I am sure he will suceed though just not like many of you will like. Suceed in keeping the bench warm, which sucks because he could be used so many other places and actually get to compete.

I mean how can sitting on the bench in your prime be a benefit to your game? A year before the WC and your star player is playin tag on the bench, I would be pissed and worried.

Ponte is match and playing extremely well since the break. Donovans prescence has motivated him.

I dont see how anyone can question whether Landon will succeed in Europe. He played very well in the chances he has had. Ponte's contract is out after this season. What do you think will happen?

[WALDO]

sure he will survive....i myselfs live in Leverkusen and I´m fan of Bayer
Leverkusen..plus I´m Donovan fan...i have donova t-shirt this one national U.S team....i have many friends at bayer leverkusen, I know Jens Nowotny
from Bayer Leverkusen personally..and i can make you and many american sure that Landon is doing well in germany and leverkusen...
we german are not so arrogant as we are supposed to be..
greeting from leverkusen
bltleo
YOUR COMMENT BLTLEO,MAKES US AMERICAN SOCCER FANS FEEL GOOD. WE HAVE A GREAT CONNECTION WITH GERMAN SOCCER,AND I ALWAYS FELT THE GERMANS RESPECTED OR GAME.THATS WHY THEY LET MORE US PLAYERS PLAY IN YOUR COUNTRY PROBABLY MORE THAN ANY OTHER COUNTRY. JUST THOUGHT I LET YOU KNOW KLINNSMAN IS THE FIRST GERMAN STAR PLAYER THAT I SAW ON TV AND LIKED, AND IT WAS GREAT TO KNOW HE MARRIED AN AMERICAN AND LIVES LESS THAN AN HOUR FROM ME. AND BY THE WAY ITS THE ENGLISH WHO ARE ARROGANT. I'VE BEEN TO BRIT PUBS HERE IN THE LA AREA AND ALL THEY RECOGNIZE IS ENGLISH FOOTBALL AND DON'T RESPECT THE AMERICANS. ANYWAY GOOD LUCK TO BAYER LEVERKUSEN AND HOPEFULLY LANDON HAS A BIG PART IN THERE SUCCESS. PEACE!!

[Scarecrow]

YOUR COMMENT BLTLEO,MAKES US AMERICAN SOCCER FANS FEEL GOOD. WE HAVE A GREAT CONNECTION WITH GERMAN SOCCER,AND I ALWAYS FELT THE GERMANS RESPECTED OR GAME.THATS WHY THEY LET MORE US PLAYERS PLAY IN YOUR COUNTRY PROBABLY MORE THAN ANY OTHER COUNTRY. JUST THOUGHT I LET YOU KNOW KLINNSMAN IS THE FIRST GERMAN STAR PLAYER THAT I SAW ON TV AND LIKED, AND IT WAS GREAT TO KNOW HE MARRIED AN AMERICAN AND LIVES LESS THAN AN HOUR FROM ME. AND BY THE WAY ITS THE ENGLISH WHO ARE ARROGANT. I'VE BEEN TO BRIT PUBS HERE IN THE LA AREA AND ALL THEY RECOGNIZE IS ENGLISH FOOTBALL AND DON'T RESPECT THE AMERICANS. ANYWAY GOOD LUCK TO BAYER LEVERKUSEN AND HOPEFULLY LANDON HAS A BIG PART IN THERE SUCCESS. PEACE!!


Feel free to take the caps lock off, no need to yell

[bltleo]

YOUR COMMENT BLTLEO,MAKES US AMERICAN SOCCER FANS FEEL GOOD. WE HAVE A GREAT CONNECTION WITH GERMAN SOCCER,AND I ALWAYS FELT THE GERMANS RESPECTED OR GAME.THATS WHY THEY LET MORE US PLAYERS PLAY IN YOUR COUNTRY PROBABLY MORE THAN ANY OTHER COUNTRY. JUST THOUGHT I LET YOU KNOW KLINNSMAN IS THE FIRST GERMAN STAR PLAYER THAT I SAW ON TV AND LIKED, AND IT WAS GREAT TO KNOW HE MARRIED AN AMERICAN AND LIVES LESS THAN AN HOUR FROM ME. AND BY THE WAY ITS THE ENGLISH WHO ARE ARROGANT. I'VE BEEN TO BRIT PUBS HERE IN THE LA AREA AND ALL THEY RECOGNIZE IS ENGLISH FOOTBALL AND DON'T RESPECT THE AMERICANS. ANYWAY GOOD LUCK TO BAYER LEVERKUSEN AND HOPEFULLY LANDON HAS A BIG PART IN THERE SUCCESS. PEACE!!

Hallo from Leverkusen
wow..great answer from american fans of soccer. I love american soccer
and despite I live in Germany I watch always american soccer. I was so
fascinated by Donovan performance during the world cup that I started to
be his fan. I started to watch american soccer since this time. I think american soccer has a big potential. I remember the great game Portugal against U.S.A. I played a game and I did bet that U.S would win. Many germans told me I was crazy becase Portugal was much better then U.S that time. But see American won against Portugal and I started to like american soccer. I´m very happy we have Donovan in Leverkusen. I´m fan of Bayer Leverkusen and I know he will do great job in our team. I played myselfs soccer, but after my study I had not time for playing soccer. I also like
Klinsmann. Oh I know about "rivals" englishmen. They are big rivals for germans. I like more american soccer then english, because I see such a big
potential in american soccer. American soccer has many good young players, some of them plays in Germany. I will keep you informed about Donovan and Leverkusen. And you can keep me informed about american soccer. Good deal:). And sorry my english. Mirka, bltleo

[bltleo]

It may or may not be at Leverkeusen, but somewhere in a major European league, there's definitely a place or two where he can really excel.

hi that´s bltleo from leverkusen...i jointed only recently to bigsoccer
because i would like to inform american about their star Donovan..
maybe you don´t know really Bayer Leverkusen..but they are really good
team...Donovan is in good hands in Leverkusen...Of course has Bayer
Leverkusen some problems now...but they play really good soccer..
don´t forget the fascinating game against Real Madrid when Leverkusen won easily..So I don´t think it has any advantages for Donovan to start with
Bayer Leverkusen...Bayer Leverkusen is major European league....plays in
Champ. League..and don´t forget Leverkusen "produced" many stars
like Ballack they play for other teams now ....So Donovan will survive in
Leverkusen .Leverkusen has a respect of Landon and they will support him as they can...we should talk few months later...you will see Leverkusen will
help Donovan.....I hope you are not so sceptic now....
bltleo
from Leverkusen

[Yukon Cornelius]

Oh, I didn't mean to sound sceptical about the club... I mean, EVERYONE knows Bayer Leverkeusen.

One can just never tell how any particular player is going to fit in at a club, with the different personalities, the formation, the manager, everything. Especially at the really big clubs.

I was just saying "I believe Donovan's a quality player who will find a place to be very successful in a major European league, even if he doesn't turn out to be successful for Bayer Leverkeusen."

But I'm very hopeful for him and the club and glad he seems to be playing well for them.

[bltleo]

Oh, I didn't mean to sound sceptical about the club... I mean, EVERYONE knows Bayer Leverkeusen.

One can just never tell how any particular player is going to fit in at a club, with the different personalities, the formation, the manager, everything. Especially at the really big clubs.

I was just saying "I believe Donovan's a quality player who will find a place to be very successful in a major European league, even if he doesn't turn out to be successful for Bayer Leverkeusen."

But I'm very hopeful for him and the club and glad he seems to be playing well for them.

Thanks for your answer...I´m hopeful for Donovan too..no..I´m sure he will
be one of the most powerful players in our team...and he turno out to be succesfull for Bayer Leverkusen....german soccer "mentality" is a bit different to american or english...he just need to adapt our "mentality", our style of
play..and he will be one of the best...
bltleo
bayer leverkusen

[JRstriker12]

LD will survive in Europe. He's shown flashes of what he can do at Leverkusen. If he can come up big for BL in the next CL match, he could cement his postion as a starter.

[bltleo]

LD will survive in Europe. He's shown flashes of what he can do at Leverkusen. If he can come up big for BL in the next CL match, he could cement his postion as a starter.


thanks..it sounds more optimistic..I already thought that american are
"pesimistic" about Bayer Leverkusen..I agree with you ..he will survive in Europe...
your blt from Leverkusen
sorry my english again...but i hope it is better to use my terrible english
then german:)

[guamster]

thanks..it sounds more optimistic..I already thought that american are
"pesimistic" about Bayer Leverkusen..I agree with you ..he will survive in Europe...
your blt from Leverkusen
sorry my english again...but i hope it is better to use my terrible english
then german:)

bltleo: thanks for your insight and thanks in advance for your future Landon updates. Now please stop apologizing for your "terrible" English. Your posts make more sense than the posts from some posters who claim that English is their first language. ;)

Cheers.

[G Enriquez]

I think Landon will do great. He is truly one of the best players America has produced. He's in incredible shape.he can run hard for the entire 90 minutes.
He reads the game well. And,Landon is a great passer.

[bltleo]

Hi bltleo. Please keep us updated on Landon at Leverkusen and how the German fans feel about him. Thanks. :)

and keep me informed what american think about "your soccer star" Donovan
and his performace at Bayer Leverkusen. I´m interested if american think
that the fact he plays in Germany now if it can help him
to get ready for world cup. Do american think that Bayer Leverkusen
can improve Donovan performance or do they think that Donovan deserved
"better soccer team"?`I`m just curious. Please feel free and answer honest.
I´m a fan of Leverkusen, I live here and I myselfs played soccer in a girl team, but I´m also a fan of Donovan. So I´m interested in your free opinion.
Or would american to have "their" Donovan back in the U.S?
I think he can learn a lot from german soccer. But what´s your opinion?
your special reporter from
leverkusen
BLTLEO

[Ray Luca]

I just saw last Tuesdays game between Liverpool and Leverkusen. Leverkusen was losing 0-2 when Donovan entered the game in the 68 minute.

Maybe some of Leverkusens starters were not available for this game. Any way their passing was not good. Donovan got some touches and the passing improved. He came to the ball and the backs by passed him I suppose they wanted to try to quick strike liverpool. It didn't work and it took Donovan out of the play.

From the little I saw I have to think what is wrong with their coach. Landon has real speed, very good skill and can pass and finish in the flow of play. He can play a recessed striker, offensive mid and a wing and great firness. The only think he is weak in is scoring off headers because of his size.

Why can't they find a place for him as a starter especially in that game. He would make the team better.

[TG]

and keep me informed what american think about "your soccer star" Donovan
and his performace at Bayer Leverkusen. I´m interested if american think
that the fact he plays in Germany now if it can help him
to get ready for world cup. Do american think that Bayer Leverkusen
can improve Donovan performance or do they think that Donovan deserved
"better soccer team"?`I`m just curious. Please feel free and answer honest.
I´m a fan of Leverkusen, I live here and I myselfs played soccer in a girl team, but I´m also a fan of Donovan. So I´m interested in your free opinion.
Or would american to have "their" Donovan back in the U.S?
I think he can learn a lot from german soccer. But what´s your opinion?
your special reporter from
leverkusen
BLTLEO

First off, I want to thank you BLTLEO for offering to share your special insight; it's a real treat and much appreciated.

I've been a San Jose Clash/Earthquakes fan since their inaugural year in '96. After their second game I purchased season tickets and have been attending games since. Consequently, I've been fortunate enough to see Landon Donovan perform up close and in person on many occasions. Having said that, I feel Donovan is above and beyond the greatest American player to have ever played in MLS, furthermore I feel he is the best player currently playing for the men's US national team. Instead of listing my many reasons to support my belief, I hope it suffices to say the man just reeks of class and quality and his vision is jaw dropping; his play usually stands out above all of the others.

Since Donovan's arrival to Leverkusen he has obviously played little. This is to be expected, due to the fact that Leverkusen is notorious for being a world class club. It must be expected that regardless of his ability, he will have to earn a starting spot.(Donovan did not start for the earthquakes either and they aren't even close to being considered world class). I feel the little time Donovan has played he has performed well. I am very optimistic he will continue to play well and that he'll soon start. I have no doubt he will be a superstar regardless of where he plays as long he gets the opportunity. The experience he'll gain from playing at Leverkusen will make him a better player and will increase the USMNT chances of success at the world cup.

Donovan is exactly where he should be. At Leverkusen, he's playing with one of the greatest teams in the world; he couldn't be with a better team.
As much as I miss him, I don't want him back. That would be too selfish of me. I know he is in good hands. I hope you get to enjoy him as much as I did BLTLEO. I wish you the best of luck.

[Mosco]

He will be better off in the german 2nd division!!