Yeah, he really is fluent. Conducts interviews in Spanish all the time. The kicker is....he taught himself how to speak Spanish. Wanted to "blend in" with the spanish speakers on his club team as a kid.
Did anyone catch the Fox Friday Football show on FSW this past Friday? If already discussed sorry, but basically they said that Donovan should sack up and make his move over to Europe, calling him out and saying that it was crucial for him to move.
Crucial? For whom? Landon, or the US? The US will survive very well without Landon going to Europe. Landon will survive very well without going to Europe. I'd say it's likely beneficial for him to go, but crucial is a bit strong.
As LD said, it's easy for some guy sitting on a couch in San Diego to say he has to go over to Europe. Why does he HAVE to go over there? He's the one who has to adjust to different everything. And I'm sure going to a country so different from the US (especially California) didn't help matters. He may be ready to go, but let him make that decision. It's his decision and his life. Let him do what he wants.
the only people it's crucial for him to move is BigSoccer eggheads. it would help them out because then they could move on to more important topics like MLS teams wearing all white uniforms or why there isn't a single table or why Convey hasn't walked on water yet or why Bruce hasn't capped Freddy or .....
I think you should be reading everyone's post in the context that everyone understands that they don't have the authority to make Landon do anything. People are stating their opinions about his development as a player and his contribution to the USMNT. You and Apoo0nu shouldn't have to state the obvious, that he'll go when he feels it's advantageous for him to go. I think everyone on the board understands that.
sounds like that's the same thing, sir .... you know, being too scared on one hand, not wanting to go on the other. good try, though. flame harder next time.
I got my latest issue of 90 minutes soccer magazine and in it was an article about Landon. It said that LD isnt going anywhere and that he's gonna remain as an Earthquake. However the article did say LD might venture overseas during the MLS off-season on a loan deal to get better and prove to the nay sayers that he can play and succeed overseas.
Just to clarify (I get that mag too) - that was the editor's prediction. They PREDICT that Landon is not going anywhere and will only go on loan to get people off his back. In other words, they're speculating like the rest of us.
of course, one of landon's problems has been fatigue ... playing MLS, national team, u-23 national teams, etc. I wonder what his thoughts would be to that during the upcoming offseason.
Somehow, that revolutionary idea can't penetrate the noggins of the FSW Euro couch potatos. As far as they are concerned, Landon is wasting his time here playing 'tiddly winks.' He likes the weather; he has a life; he wants MLS to succeed. Right now, Europe offers him none of that. When it offers him two-thirds of that, he'll probably head over. At any rate, the MLS suits appear willing to break the bank to keep him. Okay by me, we'll just hit Vergara with a surcharge.
Landon also speaks German - he took classes when he went there and did a couple of interviews during the World Cup in German. honestly, I can't monitor his German skills as compared to his Spanish ones, but language shouldn't be a barrier for Landon - except maybe in La Liga - but Italian is a Latin-based language like Spanish. If he taught himself Spanish, he shouldn't have much trouble learning Italian with some tutor. The thing is, he apparently worked really hard on his German because he didn't want the language to be an excuse to bench him. He was frustrated by the coaching changes and lack of play. In MLS he gets not only to contribute, but to be a mojor part of the team. I actually think winning the MLS championship, right after coming here, and winning again last year, really cemented his loyalty to the Earthquakes. Remember, Howard and Convey never won championships - without that thrill of achievement, it might have left them hungrier for accomplishment elsewhere. Frankly, I believe if Landon hadn't won a championship with San Jose, he would be abroad already.
ok playing devil's advocate here...you don't really think howard's move had anything to do w/ an mls championship do you? and one could just as easily argue that because LD has already won a championship here, that he might be looking for a new challenge.
Of course it's all speculation, but look at Eddie Pope - he had the talent to go elsewhere, but here in MLS he was the cornerstone of a dynastic champion with DC United - why go elsewhere when you're already on top? Howard - I'm not saying he would have stayed if the Metros had won, but I'm saying that going from a team that had talent but never won anything to Man U - sheesh, you leave without even a twinge of regret, even if you're on the bench. Convey's only sniffed championships with the U-20 team, never with DC. With LD, he would be leaving a championship he's earned and can win again to go to a whole bunch of uncertainty. Of course, if Club America has bought the Quakes, Donovan could want to leave immediately.
Agreed. How often do you hear footballers say, when speaking about staying with a team or a transfer say "I want to contribute and to win trophies." Being on a successful side, I believe, is certainly one factor in favor of him remaining here.
Landon will never go back to Europe. He's dating an actress from LA and didn't like Europe the first time he was over there.
And WHERE did you hear that he didn't like it exactlyÉ You must have some serious detective skills combined with some sort of access to some kind of advanced computer network that enables you to communicate with people all over the world and gives you the ability to get news on demand.
A two month old thread bumped for that comment? Anyway, I posted on the thread du jour on Yanks Abroad some quotes from him today's Washington Post.
If Landon has any ambition at being the best he gose to try his luck in Europe. Watching Champions league on TV is different from playing it.... I just don't want Landon to be like eddie pope and be a "what could have been" career, Pope had Ajax, Liverpool, Jueventus in his sights and let it go...
I met Eddie Pope in the airport once and got his autograph it was surreal he's my hero, but I wish he would've gone to Europe -- it's almost sad to think about what he could have accomplished.