I doubt that much "decision-making" was going on considering the ball dropped at his feet after a deflection. That's a sweet finish though--classic Donovan. To think just last year he was leaping off a taco truck into my eager arms.
Leon got destroyed 4-1 by a Tigres with much South American flavor. Goals scored by Valencia (Ecuador), Carioca (Brazil), Aquino (Mexico) and Sosa (Argentina). For Leon, the solitary goal was by Boselli (Argentina). Donovan was replaced by the Colombian Hernan Burbano over the hour. Landon played CAM behind Boselli, and the other eight played mainly in their own area.
Donovan played 15 minutes yesterday in a 2-0 win over Chivas, and Club Leon will finish the Clausura either 12th or 13th. Donovan appeared in 6 league matches. I wonder if the abridged Fox Sports TV coverage plans for the World Cup played a role in Donovan's return with Club Leon. Fox Sports had been preparing for John Strong, Stuart Holden, and Donovan to be the main announcer trio for the tournament before the US failed to qualify. Donovan probably heard some rumblings from either Fox Sports or USSF...
Both at worst. He got five appearances after all. If that's not "real," then neither is Emerson Hyndman at Bournemouth, for instance.
This quote was just too amusing. “During the time that Landon spent with our team, he has been exemplary in all aspects. The club loses a legendary professional in the world of sports that leaves an indelible mark in our club.” The guy spent a total of 98 minutes on the pitch for this club. Yes, 98 total freaking minutes and he is a legend for Leon.
He was never going to play much, I suspect this time in Mexico is just part of his learning to eventually become a coach.
With respect, guys, some of these ideas may have been true for Donovan, but only in an ancillary way. Donovan got paid to go to Mexico. Somewhere between 3-4.5 mill depending on what actually happened with the bonuses and structure. He had offers from MLS last season but none of them for what he thought he was worth. His interviews showed that he was retired ... unless the money was right. Leon just made him an offer he couldn't refuse. What's 4 mill divided by 98 minutes?
Of course getting paid is part of it, he was also a PR coup for Leon. Doubt they got the bang for the buck but who knows.
Now that he got the payday he can transfer to the Swedish League and test himself against the best of Europe.
For one they sold a truckload of jerseys. Two, Landon got a bunch of interviews in mainstream Mexican TV, and bet the contract stipulates some of the money paid for those goes to the club. Third, as a Leon player, the commercials and ads also should have a cut for the club. There are more people who know Landon Donovan South of the border than in the USA, probably. As I said, he's the one Yank player the LatAms hold in high esteem, soccerwise and as a person.