"A sitter is a term used in football (soccer) to describe an excellent goalscoring chance for a particular player in a team, one that is almost impossible to miss. For example, being 5 yards away from goal with the ball and with no opposition player and/or goalkeeper nearby. The term derives from the implication that the chance is so simple that it could be scored sitting down. " Keeper had pretty good position and the near post covered. Not a sitter.
I'm just gonna read through this then do a write up but I wanted to say...damn I freakin love Donovan
Good point on the central positioning. The Dutch game is a great example about how he can get isolated on the wing in an international. When he got shifted inside before subbing out, he was able to find the game. On the Nats, it is critical he finds the game. Still, he could finish the EPL season and transition central for the US without any issues Also, with his loan apaprently ending, Everton has to work on combinations that do not include him.
Not wonderful highlights, but you'll see both goals he was involved in. http://watchsocceronline.blogspot.com/2010/03/donovan-scores-and-gets-assist-in.html Enjoy!
It was a sitter and he nailed it. Nothing wrong with that. He was completely unmarked and had a wide open look at goal.
Amsterdamn was only the second time where Donovan had a tough time finding the game from the wing. The other being the debacle at Saprissa. Just because he's on the wing doens't mean the attack doesn't flow through him.
His being on the wing does not necessarily mean he can be isolated, obvioulsy, but it is easier to take him out of the game when the squad is depleted (no Davies, no Dempsey). However, there have been many times when he has shifted inside or shifted across the attack during the course of the game.
Let's see. 9 games 2 goals 3 assists won 6 tied 1 lost 2 19 of possible 27 points 18 goals scored 6 goals allowed player of the month honours My question is: where is tequilajoel and sidefooter ? I'd sure like to read their spin now.
The problem with the Donovan on the MNT is that our coach insists on playing a style not suited for his skills. With the national team, Donovan is either isolated up top without adequate service (route one and wing head high crosses are not the best way to serve Landon), or he's isolated out on the wing where savvy opponents can keep the ball on the other side of the field. The unwillingness to play anyone centrally in the attack negates most of Donovan's skills as either a striker (where he excels at running on to short range through balls on the ground) or as an a-mid (where he can be the puppet master).
Don't think this has been mentioned yet, but it was a better write up than I found on ESPN. This is from Everton's site http://www.evertonfc.com/match/report/0910/everton-v-hull-city. "...Not long after his introduction the American fed the Yak but on this occasion, he didn't score - sending a left footer way over the bar. Soon it was Donovan's turn to have a sight of goal as Leighton Baines' cross went all the way along the edge of the six yard box. The American lashed it back across goal and into the corner, and Goodison erupted into chants of 'USA'. Donovan wasn't done there though, centring for Rodwell to steer home the fifth with four minutes left. And when the final whistle went Donovan went on a lap of honour - he has just one game for Everton left and the Blues fans were vociferous in their thanks for his efforts."
Well Bradley does not have Arteta, Piennar, Fellaini, Cahill, or Saha to work with so you really can't blame Bradley. At Everton Donovan is just a role player and not expected to carry the team whereas with the USMNT he is the catalyst and as he goes so goes the USMNT.
I don't disagree. But I think DOnovan is given latitude to find the game. He rarely finishes where he starts according to the line up.
I'm not too adept at inserting photos into these boards but let me try to explain why I think he might want to return to the US. Picture: sun drenched beach, bikini clad women, and a million ways to spend your money. Picture: Goodison Park area, cold, damp, overcast and 3 fish and chip stores. No offense to our English friends, just my observation.
Scroll down and press play, let it load for a little while if internet is slow. Its working perfectly for me.
Wow - great game from Landon and Arteta. I am probably the only one who will be happy to see him back in LA. It is just too much fun to see him in person. Anyway, I see him only playing the first half of this season, he is gone during the summer transfer window. I hope the Toffees pony up, but I see Chelsea or Man City more likely
I'd say that both squads at full strength Everton are slightly better. I'm talking about having Arteta in form, Fellaini, Jagielka, plus Saha up top and all of their other talent...its a solid squad. Not to mention they have a high quality left back This is assuming you'd clone Donovan and Howard to play for both teams too. Not saying the USMNT isn't good but I feel that the majority of Everton players would start for our national team, but not necessarily the other way around.
She's damn hot, ain't she? Grr.. B...I wish..haha A, all day. So I'm HYPED now! What a great day! I saw a group of Americans (maybe 6) don't know whether they had come over particularly for LD/Howard or not but was nice to see. Also saw 2 kids (next to each other) in the stands with LA Galaxy shirts on! Worth mentioning I thought! We started off slow, sluggish, and miscontrolling. Hull started out bright and should of scored but for a HUGE save from Howard. Finally we scored a nice goal from Mikky from a great Yak cross, nice little finish for his little baba Yak was unlucky with his shot that hit the post too, it looked in all the way from me. Well, I don't know if it was a penalty or not because I was too busy sendin a text (!) so totally missed it...ooops... Ah well, anyways, as I said after Chelsea - I HATE it when either Saha or Yakubu steps up because they totally suck on penalties, I never feel confident that they are going to score. Arteta and Baines are both proven that they take far better penalties than either of them. Pass it up Yak, not yours next time. Hull scored a beautiful goal, very well taken by the young lad (who I believe is being courted by some big clubs in England, ourselves included - can't see it with us though, not when we have Rodders), who was Hull's best player by some distance today. Then we hit our stride and produced some ole football for Arteta to slot home. Beautifully worked goal and a lovely little finish. After half time, I think there was only ever going to be one winner. Hull came out looking already beaten, it seemed only a matter of time before the game was put to bed. I remember Rodwell missing by inches off a deflection (?), so close...Then Arteta clipped a cross in and the Hull defender forgot they changed ends and headed in a nice one from an inch Boo's all around when goal credited to Own Goal rather than giving 'Teta his first EFC hattrick! Haha. Then we had the 'goal' called offside, ain't seen a replay but didn't look it to me. Ah well. By this time, Everyone was calling for Donovan because the crowd wanted him to go out of Goodison on a high, and boy did he!?! He made an classy, inch perfect cross into Yakubu who skied one that was up there with Donovan @WHL last week, centre goal and a ball right onto your foot...for someone with his record, you expect the net to burst. He just doesn't seem the same striker since his injury, which is crazy because I thought his play up til the shooting zones was pretty good! I was totally praying for a Donovan goal all day and as the ball came across, the selfish part of me was begging Rodwell to miss (haha) and he did! Donovan squared it up and nearly broke the net with that strike, what a hit, absolutely beautiful - as was the fact he celebrated right infront of me, thank you Landon Then he did an awesome assist when he could of shot (imo), shows the type of guy he is. Jack stroked it home really good too, he is so composed for his age, still just a kid really. Gosling maybe could of made it 6 and we could of had even more if we had been all firing, luckily for Hull that wasn't the case. Few points on Hull: 1)They were very, very, very poor. Even with their talisman Bullard, who didn't look fit to me. Cairney was their stand out player, easily. 2)How the hell is Paul McShane a footballer, every time he comes to Goodison he looks like the joke that the away team brought along...carthorse player. (sorry if this offends anyone!Haha) 3)Zaki is woeful, how he got the start over Altidore...crazy... 4)Altidore might get game time but he gets little else, no support, nothing to work on, guy works hard but he needs help! Howard, pulled off a crucial save at nil nil that could of been a huge turning point. Did some other good stuff. Usual, dependable self. Neville was a lot better again today, it's crazy how he swings to such opposites within a week. Nice celebration on LD's goal too! Distin and Jagielka did ok. Bit shaky for about 20 or so minutes but they are still relatively new together. I love having Jags back, guy is one great defender. Baines was his usual Baines, worked the flank forward and on defence. Good form he is in right now. Osman was quiet but did good when he was on, replaced by Rodwell who basically was the same. Heitinga covered every inch of grass, he pings the passes about so good and is a beast. Quality player and a steal for little over £6million. Anichebe was pretty dire, guy needs a pre season but he was LAZY today, need to run man, your powerful, strong and pretty quick. Get your ass in gear dude. Nice run for the 2nd goal though. Pienaar was busy, buzzing around across the pitch, backheels everywhere, he loves all that when he is high on confidence. Get him a new deal Moyes, we can't afford to lose him this summer. Yakubu, as I've said, for someone with his record should of maybe had a hattrick today. Annoyed me when he shot from far out when he should of passed through to John H. His out of shooting play was good though. Great cross for goal#1. I left the last words for Arteta and Donovan. Arteta was amazing, best game since he has been back, easily. He still isn't near full fitness but they couldn't touch him at times. He is such a classy player and when he ticks, we tick. Soooo happy he is back. Goals are a big bonus and a huge confidence boost. Now LD, in what was (hopefully not) his last home game, I was praying for him to go off on a high, he didn't disappoint. Beautiful strike, an assist, should of had another for Yak's awful miss. He just excites the fans, he gets everyone to the edge of their seats. The fans made their feelings pretty clear with the "Sign Him Up" chants, even after Rodwell's goal it was LD getting all the love from the crowd. At the end, Phil Neville pushed him to the stand behind the goal (where the main hardcore sit) and he got a whole lot of love and gave some kisses and waves back, was a pretty obvious goodbye - maybe because he isn't certain of staying, he just wants to make sure he showed his appreciation. He got a standing OV on the way off on his own too, from all the fans left in the ground and gave one final wave as he headed down the tunnel. I admit, I got a tad emotional at the end there! Haha. If it is a farewell and Birmingham is his final game, he has made sure that miss was eradicated, his overall play, passion and commitment he has shown has won him a place in Evertonian hearts forever. Will be sad to see him go. Overall, great day, great game, great result. Could of, should of, been more but I think I will take a 5-1 result! Gonna go watch it all over again later tonight/tomorrow, hehe.