Donovan as HPOTY

[CDM76]

It's Oct 8th.

Donovan was named USMNT Player of the Year (http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_2850819.html) Oct 5th.

No thread? No opinions?

[Bayard]

Since people seem to work Donovan into about 1/3 of the threads on this board maybe people have decided that he doesn't need any threads of his own.

[sidefootsitter]

The best American player is Tim Howard and the second best is Brad Friedel.

Fortunately, those two make enough money not to worry about some insipid political award.

[alocksley]

Donovan deserved it. He had a great 2007 for the USMNT. I'm not sure I've ever seen a better performance by a US player than that game vs. Ecuador.

[Tonerl]

The best American player is Tim Howard and the second best is Brad Friedel.

Fortunately, those two make enough money not to worry about some insipid political award.

Purely out of curiosity, whom do you believe to be the best outfield players in American soccer?

[TimB4Last]

It's been kicked around on the US Men forum ...

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=595988

and

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=607768

[CDM76]

It's been kicked around on the US Men forum ...

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=595988

and

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=607768Tim, I found it on the general US Men Forum after I'd submitted the thread.

I assumed this was "News" and would appear in this thread. Mods pushed the original thread to general because the original thread submission (started by someone else) didn't have a link to an article.

Mods, feel free to merge threads. I do believe it belongs in News and Analysis.

[TimB4Last]

Tim, I found it on the general US Men Forum after I'd submitted the thread.

I assumed this was "News" and would appear in this thread. Mods pushed the original thread to general because the original thread submission (started by someone else) didn't have a link to an article.

Mods, feel free to merge threads. I do believe it belongs in News and Analysis.

I agree it's news and belongs here, but the N&A thread-starting system leaves much to be desired.

I summarized my concerns here: http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12894813&postcount=3
but received no response from the moderators (and no one else posted) - although the thread I started finally surfaced. We literally went 2+ weeks on N&A without a new thread - now there are a few.

[sidefootsitter]

Purely out of curiosity, whom do you believe to be the best outfield players in American soccer? Hmm ... on the performance and the consistency, it's between Cherundolo, Beasley and Donovan in 2007 but the year isn't over yet since there are two big friendlies to play.

Of the above three, Cherundolo and Beasley have fewer "bad" games while Donovan has more "great" games (and more "invisible" games as well).

But Beez is a rotation player at a big club while 'Dolo is a starter at an average Big 5 League club, which given them a rough parity in pedigree.

By comparison, Tim and Brad are among the best world keepers and they are excelling at big/rich clubs.

[Adam Zebrowski]

friendlies versus copa oro or copa america...all the real results are in...

as to these awards, i don't pay attention, don't care who gets picked...

[gyr0]

For the record, I am neither a Donovan fan nor detractor, but I feel he deserves this award. From the beginning of the year, he has delivered consistently in big games and led by example.

With that said, there are many others players on the team who are head and shoulders above Landon in terms of talent and competitive surroudings. As long as he remains in MLS, this disparity will grow, but I like the way his experience and enthusiasm seems to rub off on other players.

For better or worse, this kid is the current representation of what we relate to as US soccer fans: a hard working, honest player, with a decent skill set and physical tools. Until Ronaldinho show up, I like a guy like this in our midfield.

[Tonerl]

For the record, I am neither a Donovan fan nor detractor, but I feel he deserves this award. From the beginning of the year, he has delivered consistently in big games and led by example.

With that said, there are many others players on the team who are head and shoulders above Landon in terms of talent and competitive surroudings. As long as he remains in MLS, this disparity will grow, but I like the way his experience and enthusiasm seems to rub off on other players.

For better or worse, this kid is the current representation of what we relate to as US soccer fans: a hard working, honest player, with a decent skill set and physical tools. Until Ronaldinho show up, I like a guy like this in our midfield.

Whoa, there, Sparky. Many? Head-and-shoulders? In terms of talent? Really?

Man, we should be a lot better than we are.

[sidefootsitter]

I hope someone can talk Donovan into a 3-month loan spell at a club like Reading.

Coppell needs a right wing. Donovan could stant to test his mettle in the Prem. There are plenty of Yanks at Reading already. $500K for 3 months of work is reasonable deal.

Go, Landon, go.

[Martin Fischer]

I hope someone can talk Donovan into a 3-month loan spell at a club like Reading.

Coppell needs a right wing. Donovan could stant to test his mettle in the Prem. There are plenty of Yanks at Reading already. $500K for 3 months of work is reasonable deal.

Go, Landon, go.

This has been tried before (Landon to Portsmouth) and it doesn't work because for interntional loans, Donovan can't start before the transfer window opens in January and can't return to MLS until June, which was the sticking point previously.

Given the Beckhamization of LA, this may no longer be a concern and, in fact, given the designated player rule, LA may have to off load LD, in which case, I suspect the EPL awaits.

[zanderbz]

The only people that care about this award are the buffoons on World Soccer Daily. And that is because it gives them one more reason to bash Donovan. They said that Feilhaber was the best player on the NT this year. Give me an f---ing break.

I'd say that Howard and Donovan are the only two that deserve mention for the award. Cherundolo perhaps. Beasley was cursed with having to play for Man City for a while which hurt him. Dempsey only started sniffing starter minutes at Fulham this season and I must say I am proud of what he is doing up there.

Dempsey and Beaz would be tied at this point for nest years award. Good for them.

I have a gut feeling that Donovan will be back overseas in the next year or so. Just a hunch, I could be wrong. For those who say he has no balls, I think it takes huge balls to have stuck with the Galaxy this year.

[Toon16]

Crap award that doesn't even matter.

Landycakes has no business in the last three let alone winning it.

[HouseHead78]

Crap award that doesn't even matter.

Landycakes has no business in the last three let alone winning it.

So your official position is that Landon was not one of the best 3 players for the USMNT this year?

Or is it just that you don't like him, so you're going to whine no matter what?

[kjksccr]

by vote of AP writers? The only US player they know is LD. He hasn't really accomplished much this year but no field player really has. Howard should have won it.

[Toon16]

So your official position is that Landon was not one of the best 3 players for the USMNT this year?

Or is it just that you don't like him, so you're going to whine no matter what?

No, I don't think he's one of the best three. I don't think he's distinctly average either. I would say he's pretty good, but in no way does he deserve this award.

[CDM76]

No, I don't think he's one of the best three. I don't think he's distinctly average either. I would say he's pretty good, but in no way does he deserve this award.How often do you see LD play?

I am a devoted Galaxy fan and see every game I can, either live or on TV.

LD consistently makes 2-3 plays every match that demonstrate a level of skill and soccer sense that is so far beyond his teammates it is shocking.

He is primarily an assist man yet is about to become the all-time leading goalscorer for the USMNT at age 25.

LD does not play every match with the level of fire and desire I wish he would. There were times this season I was ready to jump on the 'Landycakes' bandwagon he was playing so soft. Haven't completely forgiven him but his heart and desire was clearly evident in last weekend's match with Houston.

To say he is not a special player who can change a game the way no other US National player can suggests a lack of understanding of the game (which I can't believe of a loyal Toon fan) or an extremely limited number of opportunities to see the young man play.