Marc Connolly with some ramblings about MLS Spring Training in Florida contained a comment from Donovan regarding a conversation Arena had with him. What Did Arena Say? In case you don't want to read the MLS stuff, below is what's in Connolly's article... Landon Donovan scored one of the sweetest goals of the preseason last week against Chicago. Standing outside of the 18 in a one-on-one situation with C.J. Brown, Donovan took a long cross from Craig Waibel out of the air with his left foot. Without a break in his stride, he beat Brown to the left side of the box before perfectly hesitating enough to fool the on-rushing Henry Ring just long enough so he could pass the goalkeeper on the left and knock the ball in to an open net. In fact, it almost looked like a reply from a goal he scored against Honduras in last year’s friendly. Donovan knew Bruce Arena was sitting up in the stands, and wanted to show well after a conversation they had the day before. “He said I had to concentrate with doing well with San Jose,” said the 21-year-old. “If you don’t well with them, you won’t be called in. It was that plain and simple. And that’s the way it should be.” Arena’s words clearly got the message into Donovan’s head. “You can’t get comfortable or complacent,” he said. “It’s starting all over again now.” Is Donovan really "on the bubble"? Wow! I like the message.
I think Landon did let alot of the publicity go to his head after the World Cup. Its nice to see the Bruce giving Landon a verbal bitch slap.
amazing how motivational talks get misinterpreted to mean "on the bubble". short of forsaking soccer for playstation 2, I think we can all look forward to many years of donovan as a vital part of the usmnt. there's an adu thread on usa men.
Just like Eddie Lewis did so well with Everton before the World Cup. Donovan would have to really screw up to be knocked out of the national team scene
Oh yeah, oops. I got Lewis and Joe-Max Moore mixed up. Well both of them made the WC squad, even though they had little playing time. My point is that Donovan would have to absolutely screw the pooch for Arena not to play him.
Its one thing not to be playing well or at all in the EPL, its another to not be doing well in the MLS.
Lewis was by no means a lock to make the team. He played his way (back) on starting in the Gold Cup going through the last few friendlies. Not playing at Fulham definitely hurt his chances, and he had to earn his way back on the team. Joe-Max Moore was not a certainty either. I remember people calling for Ante Razov to take his spot. Even though it was JMM who provided the crucial two goals to beat Jamaica!
Kenny Arena? heyhey! im a metros fan.. does that mean bruce is coming to all the metros game do u think?