I remember watching him in 2002 when I was 10 scoring goals vs Poland and Mexico in the world cup and goin crazy. Bought the ESPN magazine because he was on the cover, same with the video game. Now he's doin this. Landon is seriously playing on another level right now, with this team and draw and the way were playing, we can go far. He can be a world legend if we win a few more games.
AWESOME!!! Laughing my ass off over here. How about Landon di Stefanovan? Zidanovan? Biggestlegendofall********ingtimeovan? I just named both of my dogs, my house and my car all "Landon Donovan." I don't know why I didn't do this much sooner!
Another thing: it's a pretty incredible barometer of Mandon's legendary status now that this is an 8-page BS thread with ZERO "yes, but..." typical smartypants BS nonsense. It's beyond dispute, even by the Dunning-Kruger sufferers on this board!
I was just thinking about this the other day. I was at the game, and this was before everyone had a DVR, so never saw what that foul was. At the game it looked like it was utter bull. Anyone have a link?
start watching about 0:50 in: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuqQkYWa-5s"]YouTube- 2002 World Cup Group D USA v Poland[/ame] I actually think it was a good call myself - though Poland couldn't have complained much if it had been allowed to stand either.
"i'm damn proud to be an american" landon donovan I also loved the quote about how the team embodies the american spirit...it's true too. this team has so much grit and unity. and you can really thank donovan a lot for that. thank you landon donovan. you are my boy.
I think this discussion has been done before. It all starts with how you define "world class." If it's placing Donovan in a ranking of players worldwide, or it's measuring him on what teams he's played for, then no. Most soccer magazines and such outside the U.S. don't rate him. But I take some of that with a grain of salt, since the anti-U.S. bias (see "World Soccer," for example) is very apparent. However, if you use a broader definition of world class, you might say that while not a "superstar," he can pose dangers against almost any other team, so he's a player you must respect internationally.
If I could trade Donovan for any of your players, I wouldn't. And that includes that ugly ******** Rooney.
Dempsey carried the game for all but 30 seconds. And made the run that made the ball bounce to the 6. Landon owes Clinton the Bull.
Here's the problem with Eurosnobbery. Look at this year's France squad. You have as talented of a team as any in the world, but you have a bunch of preening, prissy divas who decided that South Africa was not where they wanted to be. Then you juxtapose that crowd of losers with this years US team. The US team is a bunch of hard working players who live to compete. The US team is clearly the better team. However, the eurosnob contingency would find some way to convolute the argument to the contrary just because they see these players at their clubs and dont really no jack squat about the US team. For the past year, US soccer has forced its way into the conversation with these supposed soccer powers. They have produced results. US Soccer does not need their approval...theyre going to come out fighting anyway.
I think he only has three which ties him with McBride. Are we counting the OG against Portugal? Poland (1) Mexico (2) Algeria (3) Am I missing one?
on his own..probably not world-class. as a member of this team, he MAY be world-class. he's definitely been one of the better MF in this tournament and i'm not too concerned with how we or anyone else label him...
poland, mexies, slovenia, algeria. You forgot the Slovenia one already? Hell, I can't blame you today
But your argument is really about respect for (or lack thereof) the U.S. team, not whether LD individually is world class. Putting aside what Europeans might say about him, I don't think he's in the same class as many of the top attacking players on Top 5 teams (from the EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, etc.). That said, he's matured into a responsible team leader, both at the club and USMNT level, and can be dangerous against most other sides. I'd certainly want him on my team.
Fair enough. Cogent argument. But, He more or less skinned every right back in the Premiership during his loan, had scored more goal in the WC (4), than most players alive at his age, and I don't think at this moment, you can find more than two right MF for each top league that would actually be considered better. It would be an interesting exercise to see what R MF in each league would be considered better. I cannot think of one in England for instance. I could be wonrg though.. Just my opinions PooBah