[Delta Blues]

I know this has been visited before, but he needs to go. Watching him play for the 'Quakes is like watching half a player compared to his national team efforts. He plays lazy, uninspired ball a lot in MLS. You can tell he's so far ahead of most of the competition he just coasts. I'm sure he's happy and comfortable, but he needs to be challenged and MLS is not doing it for him IMO.

Now, it's obviously his choice and I say this assuming Landon really wants to develop into the best player possible. Maybe he doesn't, and if so I guess he should just stay in MLS.

[dark knight]

Totally disagree. If he plays lazy and uninspired because he believes the quality of competition isn't good, what kind of competitor is he? He's never toyed with defenses in any game I've seen - why isn't he scoring at will?

[falcon6]

Originally posted by Delta Blues
I know this has been visited before, but he needs to go. Watching him play for the 'Quakes is like watching half a player compared to his national team efforts. He plays lazy, uninspired ball a lot in MLS. You can tell he's so far ahead of most of the competition he just coasts. I'm sure he's happy and comfortable, but he needs to be challenged and MLS is not doing it for him IMO.

Now, it's obviously his choice and I say this assuming Landon really wants to develop into the best player possible. Maybe he doesn't, and if so I guess he should just stay in MLS.

Maybe the competition in the MLS isn't as bad as you think.

[Knave]

Right. Milton Reyes couldn't keep up with him when DC played San Jose. Landon just coasted to score - how many goals was it?

Zero - because Reyes and the rest of the DC United defense shut him down.

Falcon6's final thought is correct - if you leave out the maybe.

[dj43]

As an Earthquakes season ticket holder for the past 2 years, I don't agree that he is not working, or that he is just playing with the defense.

When he first came to the Earthquakes he got schooled the first 7 times he touched the ball. As the season progressed, you could see him progress with each game. By the end of the season he was a MUCH better ball player than when he arrived.

This year there has not been as much of a pattern to follow with his time away from the Earthquakes with the MNT. But as has been mentioned above, the quality of the MLS, though not EPL level, is much better than most will admit or recognize. A case in point would be the Dallas game this past week. LD had to work much harder than he might have in the past because Dallas has gotten much better, especially on defense.

In summary Delta, I think you are allowing yourself to get caught up in criticizing US soccer because it is popular in some circles to do so. My observation is that, while he isn't learning as much from the MLS game this year as last, he isn't finding it a walk in the park either...

[appoo]

by the way, the entire Earthquake team looked lackadasical and heavy-legged (if you are or were a former athelete you know what that feels like), it probably had something to do with the fact that they clinched a playoff berth on wednesday and they were playing in altitude saturday.

[SgtSchultz]

What is somewhat disturbing about Landon is his inability to finish. During the United and Burn games, he had an opportunity to score. Yet, his shots were stopped by the goalkeepers. I know the goalkeepers made great stops, but still it seems Landon is not putting enough mustard on the ball. Will going over to Europe improve his finishing? I really don't know.

As for defenses in MLS, I wholeheartedly agree that MLS does not get the recognition for having some pretty good defenses.

[flanoverseas]

He'll be a different player when the money's on the line (playoffs)

[DAKCrew]

Originally posted by Delta Blues
I know this has been visited before, but he needs to go. Watching him play for the 'Quakes is like watching half a player compared to his national team efforts. He plays lazy, uninspired ball a lot in MLS. You can tell he's so far ahead of most of the competition he just coasts. I'm sure he's happy and comfortable, but he needs to be challenged and MLS is not doing it for him IMO.

Now, it's obviously his choice and I say this assuming Landon really wants to develop into the best player possible. Maybe he doesn't, and if so I guess he should just stay in MLS.

I would somewhat agree with this. I think that Donovan needs better(meaning world class) coaching to improve his game.

[Tejas]

Donovan needs one more season in MLS after this season, then he can go overseas.

I don't know why I think this, but you can be sure that I am right.