Kudos Landon!

[martymarts]

Well having basically indicated that I thought it was a joke to compare him to Rosicky, I try to give credit where it's due. I still think he's not the same quality, but, man he put in a stand up performance today. USA's best player by a mile! Beasley should be given a ticket home though! Truly, truly, truly horrible! The man has no heart! Why didn't they go to Johnson?

Well fought USA! Good luck against Ghana.

[mixmastermatt]

The ITV commentator said Landon had a trial at Arsenal when he was a teenager. Is this true?

[i404]

I don't think it was that hard to be 'the best player' in todays game ;)

I'd vote for Perotta though...he fought through shit and hell today.

[Clockend]

Dempsey is a very good player.

[Ziegler1988]

Dempsey is a very good player.
He was like Cristiano Ronaldo with all the step overs he did once, but the difference was that he actually went somewhere with them :p.

[wrightcor]

Good job Landon. Bruce leave him in the middle he can't use his talent when his back is toward the goal.

[TheImposter]

I, too, will give credit where credit is due. LD played with heart today, and was very important to our effort. That still doesn't make him one of the best players in the world, but he fought hard for us today, which at the moment is much more important to me.

[KevTheGooner]

Dempsey is a very good player.

As a Revs fan...THANKS! :D

[marakana10]

Personally for me... Pablo Mastroeni was the best player on the pitch today before his red card. He shut down the Italian offense every single time, and he almost had a goal as well...

I think it was a red, because it was studs up, and it was directed at Pirlo's leg.. I saw the same red given to Figo for a similar challenge on Puyol last year in the El Derby.

Landon had a good game today, hopefully this game will give him the confidence he needs to be successful in his career. Go USA... I give my hats off to them, they've finally earned my respect. Here's to hoping we beat Ghana, and the Italians beat the Czechs.

Although I have a funny feeling the Italians will be out to draw, but Czech's have no option other than to win, unless America wins, which means they can draw and go through, and I have feeling that will happen because the Italia Czech Republic game is after the USA game that day...

[Chesco United]

both games are at the same time, thankfully.

[okocha1]

I agree Masteroni was the best player for the U.S. he harassed the Italian players, tackled, blocked passes, and distributed the ball very efficiently. Almost had a goal to account for all his efforts, before the referree's silly sending off decision. I also liked Dempsey, he had good skill on the ball and seemed a very tenacious player, I would like to see more of him, but I was wondering if anyone though he had the talent to succeed in a mid-table Prem team?

Landon Donovan was better, much better, he is very fast, but at times it looked like he was trying to be the hero, and instead of pass he tried to dribble past 2 or 3 players. Reminds me of a young left-footed dutchman. ;)

[antifan]

I know personally that Rick was rooting for Landycakes. ;)

[Clockend]

I also liked Dempsey, he had good skill on the ball and seemed a very tenacious player, I would like to see more of him, but I was wondering if anyone though he had the talent to succeed in a mid-table Prem team?

Based on what I saw yesterday (which isn't necessarily the best judgement), he could easily fit in at a premiership team in the top half of the table.

[maskito]

I'm no Landon apologist, but this quote from the FIFA website caught my attention:

"Andrea PIRLO (ITA)
It was a hard game tonight; we ran our socks off. I’m not interested in the results of other teams, we play to win. Landon Donovan was everywhere for the Americans tonight. (Daniele) De Rossi says he caught the player accidentally (for his red card). They were very aggressive and the two red cards confirm that. We created a few chances but we didn’t manage to score."

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060617/1/7s1n.html

Personally, I still don't think LD played anywhere near his potential, but he certainly played hard for 90 minutes along with every other US player. I'll give the man every bit of credit he deserves on this one...

[KevTheGooner]

Based on what I saw yesterday (which isn't necessarily the best judgement), he could easily fit in at a premiership team in the top half of the table.


He has some maturing to do, between the ears. He's been suspended by his club twice in three years for disciplinary problems. Playing in Europe would certainly be a good move for him, but give him a year or two and hopefully he'll be ready, mentally.

[KevTheGooner]

Landon Donovan was better, much better, he is very fast, but at times it looked like he was trying to be the hero, and instead of pass he tried to dribble past 2 or 3 players. Reminds me of a young left-footed dutchman. ;)

He did spring McBride for a great chance (which he pulled wide of the goal) which was a perfect pass after drawing two defenders at the top of the box.

[topcatcole]

Landon was much better, but what is the deal with Beasley? He looked lost out there-although Arena disagrees with me. He was the freshest player on the field and did nothing after the goal attempt. Given his speed and freshness, he should have been everywhere!

[Clockend]

I thought beasley was decent myself. It can be very hard to get into a game like that one; tense, tight and with a good tempo.

He did well, provided an outlet at crucial times and didn't go too 'gung-ho' which would have caused more problems then it solved.

I wasn't hugely impressed by Donovan myself and on a seperate note, he has the largest forehead I have ever seen.

He has some maturing to do, between the ears. He's been suspended by his club twice in three years for disciplinary problems.

Not a major problem, with the right coach that can be helped; unless it is of epic proportions (like Pennant).

[Its only Ray Parlour]

Anyone see Donovan's face after the Pope sending off? A fly could have flown in and out of his ear and he still wouldn't have moved an inch. :D

[Its only Ray Parlour]

Landon was much better, but what is the deal with Beasley? He looked lost out there-although Arena disagrees with me. He was the freshest player on the field and did nothing after the goal attempt. Given his speed and freshness, he should have been everywhere!

Seemed to me like he was trying to marry the tasks of being the fresh attacking legs on the field with his defensive responsbility. He did okay for me. You have to remember you were down to 9 men, if had been more adventurous, you could have been seriously overloaded.