My thoughts and worries on Landon Donovan...

[Riverdale Goalie]

I'm worried about Landon. His skills, to me at least, are already world class. I think he has the talent already to be one of the world's best, but the biggest thing he lacks to me is that world class mentality. To be truly world class, you have to know to take over a game and make it yours. Donovan's a great passer, has phenomenal speed, can dribble with the best but what does he have to show for it? Not too much lately.

The best games I've seen Donovan play have been when he's had something to proove. When he's come off the bench, he takes the game to his opponents rather than sitting back and letting it come to him, most recently shown in the Venezuela game, but also in the Uruguay friendly before the world cup. He came in late in the game, with DMB having the best game he ever had with the Nats and prolly was angry. Everyone expected him to start but he didn't. But as soon as he was put in, he ran at defenders, trying to stamp his mark on the game to give Arena something to notice. Likewise, in the World Cup when no one expected anything out of us, he wasn't content to be just another role player. His best game ever for the nats, to me at least, was clearly the Germany game. Maybe it was because they were a world power, or maybe it was cuz of his bad memories of Germany, but whatever it was, he had the attitude to match his skils that day, but the question is why doesn't he always have it?

I was just waiting for him to break the Mexico game wide open. He could've done it. He could've pressed the issue, taken a few shots. I understand he was tightly marked in that game, often times with 3 or 4 guys on him. I also understand he made a few excellent passes, but none that was really a pass that could turn the game in his team's favor. I know you can't expect someone to score or assist every game, but I know that I expect from a truly world class player, to at least look like he could turn the game any second, and right now Donovan isn't there.

I don't know if this has to do with him staying in MLS when his skills are clearly superior to everyone in the league, and I don't know if Europe will change his attitude or not either. He's content with his life, he's said as much already, and maybe that's the problem, maybe he needs the hunger to be bigger and badder than everyone else, but I'm worried he's never gonna have that, and until he does, he will never truly be world class.

[deejay]

It was a friendly. Start moaning if it becomes a habit in the qualifiers.

[Ictar]

The biggest thing I see wrong with Donovan's game is it seems like he's afraid to shoot from outside the box. He had one great chance to shoot in the Mexico game from outside and instead he laid it off to Hejduk. As soon as he gets a little bit more selfish from time to time it's gravy. I think that's why he waited so long to shoot on his breakaways against Germany. He always seems to be looking for a better shot.

Look at that time Mathis was called offside. The whistle blew pretty fast, but still by the time it did Mathis had whirled around and struck a left-footed shot on goal from 5 yards outside the box, granted right at the goalie. He has that striker's mentality that if it's a half chance, take it, because if you lay it off to a D-mid or something to wait on a better one there's a 99% chance it won't come.

[jeff_adams]

I did see Landon try and beat 3-4 defenders off the dribble a few times. He got stripped or fouled. You don't want to see him put his head down everytime he recieves the ball and rush the goal. He has to pick and choose the best times to do it.

Also, remember how deep he had to drop to touch the ball in the first half. The midfield distribution from the center (Armas and Mastroeni) was woeful. That much running is sure to take a toll on your legs. By the end of the game, he was gassed out (bad pass to Cobi for example).

The same question could be asked of Mathis. Why doesn't he just take over the game? Umm, perhaps it's not that easy????

[jeff_adams]

One last comment about "taking over the game".

If MLS is so bad about "eroding skills", then how come we don't see JOB just completely take over every game he plays in a Nats uniform? Ajax is deep in the Champions League. Surely JOB must be such a dominant player that he can impose his will on everyone, right? Same with Reyna, Freidel, anyone playing in the "big leagues".

Fact of the matter is, even when all of the US' euro players are on the field, Donovan still looks better then most of them......

[RoverMax]

I am not worried about Landon at all. He is the best player in the MLS, but I don't think that does anything to his mentality. It was a friendly, he may not have given it his all in that game, and maybe he did, but it doesn't matter since the game doesn't matter. If he underperforms in qualifiers, then we have a problem.

[Adam Zebrowski]

the one thing about Landon is his skills are best used in combination with other players...

his mobility getting into space and being the recipient of the pass is one of his best strengths...

he's not the classic play maker, but it appears Martino could evolve into such a player...

people have complained because Reyna was never the dominating player who could take over a match...

how many Zidanes or Rivaldos are there???

very few...

Donovan is NOT that...but he'll be better than Michael Owen!!

[Quaker]

Having seen just about every Quakes and USMNT match Landon's played, the one thing that frustrates me sometimes is his unselfishness. He has a tendency to pass when I firmly believe he could blow past his defender. His speed is a huge strength that I'd like to see him use more effectively to break down defenses. Yeah, he's got great vision, and it's nice that he looks to get his teammates involved, but when defenders are backpedaling, he should take 'em on more often. Wonder if he's somewhat afraid of the hacks...

[Fah Que]

One of Landon's weakness right now is the velocity of his shot, but he is still young.

[Riverdale Goalie]

Originally posted by Quaker
Having seen just about every Quakes and USMNT match Landon's played, the one thing that frustrates me sometimes is his unselfishness. He has a tendency to pass when I firmly believe he could blow past his defender. His speed is a huge strength that I'd like to see him use more effectively to break down defenses. Yeah, he's got great vision, and it's nice that he looks to get his teammates involved, but when defenders are backpedaling, he should take 'em on more often. Wonder if he's somewhat afraid of the hacks...

This is more in line with what I'm talking about. I never said Landon sucked Thursday, he played a good game, but I'm talking about the difference between what he is and being World Class. I'm not just talking about taking on defenders or shooting more, both of which I think he needs to do, but just look at him, he just doesn't have the mentality to go with his skills yet. And no I didn't blame it on MLS, it COULD be MLS, he may be past his learning curve here, but even in MLS games he doesn't impose himself like he ought to, you can just ask Yallop about that, he even said he expects Landon to score or assist every game with the talent he's got (and I'm sure somebody will tell me that he's done that so far this season, and actually I think he has, but the season is still young). I don't want Donovan to be a number 10, I think he's best as a striker and he's got all the talent in the world, and I'm just waiting to see if he's gonna transcend and make that next step, that's all. Not trying to bash everyone's favorite wonderkind here.

[Hardluck]

Landon Donovan is the best player on my PS2 game!

[Jon Pall]

what game is it?

[ramckay]

Landon is truly world class already. Just realize that and accept it. Just because he doesn't fit your definition of that term, or because he doesn't play like other players considered world class, doesn't mean that necessarily has anything to do with reality. He's mortal. And he has his own specific set of skills and talent, and his own style of play.

I mean, I guess and I can see what you're trying to say, but come on. He's still in his pro soccer infancy, really. Complaining that he can't score at will is, oh, just a little nit-picky.

Surprise! Scoring in soccer is hard. Not even Pele dominated every game.

[Riverdale Goalie]

Originally posted by ramckay
Landon is truly world class already. Just realize that and accept it. Just because he doesn't fit your definition of that term, or because he doesn't play like other players considered world class, doesn't mean that necessarily has anything to do with reality. He's mortal. And he has his own specific set of skills and talent, and his own style of play.

I mean, I guess and I can see what you're trying to say, but come on. He's still in his pro soccer infancy, really. Complaining that he can't score at will is, oh, just a little nit-picky.

Surprise! Scoring in soccer is hard. Not even Pele dominated every game.

Completely missed my point, but that's ok. I never said he had to score in every game, his coach said he should, and if he truly is "world class" he ought to dominate MLS and well, quite frankly he doesn't. And Pele is a bad example because his ratio of goals to game was basically a goal a game, and I never expect Donovan to be Pele. You can be content with what we have as a national team and well I'll keep wanting improvement till we're the best, and we are nowhere near that place now. Donovan has the talent but not the mindset to be one of the world's elite, and right now he's great, but if he's pushed he can reach a new level, and with the talent he has, I truly hope he reaches that level and takes the nats to another level.

[Mr. Cam]

Originally posted by Riverdale Goalie

has phenomenal speed,

This AMERICAN FOOTBALL player has "phenomenal speed" L.D. does not have the speed to play CB in the NFL!!!

http://insiders1.ezboard.com/fvirginiatechfrm1.showMessage?topicID=356.topic

DeAngelo Hall breaks record with a 4.15 40 yard dash

Posted: 2/20/03 7:19:08 pm

February 20, 2003

DeAngelo Hall recorded the fastest time in the 40-yard dash on Tech's timing day, running a 4.15 and setting a new school record in the process. Hall broke the previous record of 4.21 set by former tailback Keith Burnell last February.

[Various Styles]

Originally posted by Mr. Cam

This AMERICAN FOOTBALL player has "phenomenal speed" L.D. does not have the speed to play CB in the NFL!!!

The player you are talking about does not have to run while kicking a football and i doubt he could keep that pace the whole 90 min. Didnt someone allready debate you on this..

:) :D

[cl_hanley]

I fear Mr. Cam and NFL are irrevocably linked. I have yet to see a thread to which Mr. Cam has posted that doesn't mention NFL once or twice.

[Mr. Cam]

Originally posted by cl_hanley

I fear Mr. Cam and NFL are irrevocably linked. I have yet to see a thread to which Mr. Cam has posted that doesn't mention NFL once or twice.

That's not true!!! Mr. Cam merely seeks to improve the breed. Be honest and admit that the NFL has athletic talent that other Football League can touch!!!

[Elninho]

Originally posted by Mr. Cam
That's not true!!! Mr. Cam merely seeks to improve the breed. Be honest and admit that the NFL has athletic talent that other Football League can touch!!!

Or not. Never seen a NFL player with enough endurance to last 45 minutes in soccer. Speed over less than 50 yards is nice, but the question should be whether DeAngelo Hall is still running 40 yards in under 5 seconds after playing for 85 minutes. I have no doubt that NFL players have superior fast-twitch muscles, but this is at the expense of slow-twitch muscles. I can virtually guarantee that no more than a dozen NFL players could last 90 minutes, and furthermore that this list of players would include mostly kickers and no major stars.

Keep in mind that when training for endurance, one almost always loses some sprint speed.

[Tertius]

Why on earth are you HERE Mr. Cam? You clearly are a lover of the NFL and never miss an opportunity to compare NFL athletes to futbol players. Why? Are you some kind of professional troll or what?