Chevy Players of the Year 2004

Like Wynalda said months ago, Donovan was not the best players in 2003. That would go to Carlos Bocanegra. Landon is the player people who don't follow the sport know, so they voted for him.

 

Yep, that was Landon blowing by Carlos Bocanegra to score the first of his two goals in 2003 MLS Cup. The MLS Cup MVP had 4 goals and 2 asssist in the playoffs (all scored after Wynalda's article).

Yeah, you're right. Donovan did not do anything to deserve the award. The ignorant voters voted for the name instead of the player.

Don't get me wrong. Carlos had a great season and would have been a worthy POtY but let's not diminish what Donovan accomplished this past season. He was just as deserving as Carlos.

 

just silly.

 

And was it Carlos who was called out by Arena for his lack of professional behavior? My hats off to Baby Jesus Donovan, but in any award in which online votes are worth 50%, you wonder how much he really earned it. He wasn't the best player on the national team this year (see DMB, Boca, Lewis, and Howard) nor the best player in the MLS (a number of players). He is, however, the poster boy and the most popular player, so it is not shocking that he won.

 

never happened to Landon either.

 

You need to go back and do a little research...Landon was not called out for lack of professional behavior. And as far as your choices for who the best player on national team, the only one I'd argue for is Boca. And there is no argument for who was best in MLS (how easy to say "a number of players"). Bottom line, in MLS Donovan led the team to the championship, MVP of championship game, golden goal of western conf. championship game. He didn't disappear in the big games but came through when needed...something Boca didn't do (no offense to Boca). This award is for the best of both Nats and club...and Donovan does fulfill that requirement more than any other player.
And I, for one, appreciate the fact that when Donovan had the bad tournament (Confed Cup), Bruce got on him for his "lack of motivation," (never mind Bruce wasn't exactly motivated for that tournament either) , instead of hanging his head and crawling off, never to be heard from again (see Clint Mathis), Donovan got his act together and turned in a good Gold Cup performance plus an exceptionally good second half to MLS season and led his team to the championship.
He deserves the award.

 

Your right about Arena's comments...it was his lack of passion, that was questioned.

 

IIRC: Whinelda was talking about the award for best national team player, for which you could make a legitimate argument that Boca deserved (even Landon seemed surprised by winning that award). As others have said, Donovan's MLS play--particularly in the playoffs--elevates his overall performance well above Boca's.

 

You do know, don't you, that this makes you sound a little hysterical?