Phil Brown obviously didn't scout the Netherlands game as prep for this matchup -- Landon was given acres of space, and used it very well.
C&C-- Do you remember his reaction, that is, the look on his face, after his "goal" (an own goal, really) vs. Portugal in the 2002 WC?
Vividly. But not too similar to this. Then he basically threw his hands up in the air and shrugged his shoulders, as if to say "Oh well...I'll take it." This time it was more like, "See ... I know how to put the ball in the g-d-m net ... (still wish I would've done it last week...)"
Haven't read the post Netherlands threads, but this of course is on the mark. Donovan was hugely involved with tracking back in that match and consequently was rarely in a position to do much on attack. I'm just glad for the guy, especially after taking so much completely unwarranted ridiculous abuse here and elsewhere. He's played against the best and has been entirely up to the task. Case closed, nobody will ever be able to take this away from him.
Shame I didn't see the match but I just saw the highlights on FSC. Nice goal and assist from Landon. He just looks like an Everton player. But I gotta say, boy that Rodwell kid sure has a man crush on Donovan!
Late to the party,since I just watch my tape but I thought Pienaar and Heitinga were brilliant too,and it's the best Neville has played since the LD loan started. Neville also showed he is a class act. Poor Jozy, Hull was dreadful.
As good as the goal was, as good as the assist was, and as good as Donovan's overall play was during the match, I think THAT was the coolest part: seeing how his teammates treated him. Jack picked him up (and threw him), Neville came over and ushered him to the crowd, Neville ushered him around the park on a farewell lap, and then the back-and-forth between him and Arteta in the interview. We also saw before Cahill joking with him. After his experiences in Germany, he's must feel like he's in Heaven.
Moyes on the possibility of loan extension: "We are going to try to extend it a little bit, but as of now the Americans are telling us that's not possible."
Yep, really cool how he's fit in with the team in so short a time. I think my favorite part of the day had to be the replay of Howard going nuts after Landon's goal.
Yeah, that was pretty sweet. I love it when Howard gets like that. A celebratory Timmy is better than an angry Timmy. I remember when he saved a penalty from Defoe and went crazy...and we all remember when Bornstein tied Costa Rica.
Yeah, I thought he missed it as well at first, partly because of his "Cantona-esque" celebration. Very nonchalant. I just can't think of a better team for him to be on; he seems to get on well with his teammates (heck, he can even speak Spanish with Arteta ) and his manager, and the fans love him (loved those "USA! USA! USA!" and "Sign him up sign him up sign him up!" chants!). I hope if he goes back to the Premier League, it's only to Everton. I think it would be difficult to replicate his success, and comfort level he has there, with any other Premier League club.
Landon pulls a Friedel faux English "fantastic". Great for Donovan to rebound with a good showing, but I call BS on the fake accent. 2 months and he's already truing to fake an English accent. (I'm joking, don't get all bent out of shape).
You'll still get ridiculed, but I agree completely. 2006 Donovan is in no way world class,but 2009-2010 Landon Donovan is a beast. He has always had the toolset to become world class.
That is one thing with our team, they are all really close, like best mates, always together off the pitch too. When a new player comes in, they open up the circle and involve them straight away as if they have been here for ages. They don't take ego's though, if you think your above the club, and the other players - you are out the door ASAP. We have a core of players here who have been here quite some time and know the club inside out, they take the young players, and the new players under their wing. This club is very tight knit. You rarely see such a bond between players and supporters. It is all part of a process, they are made to feel wanted, it makes them more hungry to pay back that with performances on the pitch. As I have said previous, one of the main things Moyes looks for (he will have them watched countless times, speak to countless people about them, compile reports on personality - he has to make sure they are right) in players is hunger, desire, something to prove...I think Landon felt he very much had something to prove...
AVM springs to mind. Good player but absolute dickhead, who was sent packing sharpish. Although, I still give him a bit of credit for Gosling's goal in the FA Cup.
Pollution, traffic, urban sprawl, crime.....I'll take Liverpool. And seriously...."three fish and chips stores"??? What is that even supposed to mean?? Anyway, I doubt "our English friends" would be offended. Rather, they'd be smuggly content reading a comment like this which reinforces their negative sterotypes of us.
The atmosphere at the club (Everton) has to mean something to Donovan. He's a smart guy, he probably knows that if he were to take the cash and go to a Chelsea with less playing time and less of a tight-knit player group, he'd really kick himself, so if he does stay in England I think he'll give Everton the "hometown discount" in regards to contract negotiations and salary expectations. It's also reasonable to think that he really enjoys being in the same lockeroom as Tim Howard and that it'd be a shot to Timmy if he were to go to Chelsea. We'll see what happens, I hope the guy stays though.