I'm getting mixed signals......do you guys want Donovan to stay or go? I personally think we need him, but it seems like alot of people want to move on. Maybe it's just that people wanna move on from the drama of "will he or won't he".....I just feel that he poses an extreme scoring threat on the field at all times.
I'm hoping he will stay with the Quakes for two more years. He's an exciting young player to watch and I think that two more years here won't hurt his chances in Europe, just get him a little more seasoned before he goes.
I voted that Im not bothered either way. I'll follow his career wherever it is. I was toked whn he signed for the Quakes, but a part of me would like to see if he can make an impact anywhere else. If he stays with us for too long, he'd have to get a seperate passport/work-permit for his ego, thus detracting European interest. I think if he's gonna go, now could be the time. Or maybe Im wrong, who cares.
I want him to stay. I'm still glad he's part of the team. I enjoy watching him play. All the worlds great strikers go through scoreless periods. I think with the time off, he will refocus an be great again next season. And he's young, so he has lots of time to get better.
It's hard to look at this in a 100% objective manner because LD's the biggest thing to happen to this club in its MLS history. However, if you take into account: a) he's still only 20 years old -- young enough that he can stay in the States and develop and still have enough prime years to have a fabulous European career, b) US Soccer and MLS are at a critical phase in their respective evolutions, then: c) it does him and us and US more good to stay. That is, if any of us have anything to say about it.
I beg to differ with my esteemed colleague. His performance in September and October showed me he may still have a little more growing to do as a player. I'd like to see him have one full end-to-end dominant season -- an MVP type season -- before I'd make that comment.
I think his drop in play had alot to do with him being a target. By opposing players AND refs. It's an obvious case of "the man" keeping him down. He will be better in 2003.....no matter where he plays.
The man whose voice cascades down from the heavens at Spartan speaks sense!! If you are merely asking opinion...I would like Landon to stay--for all of the reasons Spartacus stated. Why would you wish away a world-class player if you are fortunate enough to have one (and if he wants to be here??) Simple logic.
Exactly.....I just seemed to notice grumblings all around the board lately that seem to indicate a wish for him to go away......and i'm not referring to IBT who has actually felt that way for a long time.
I voted for I don't care either way. I want him to stay but if he chooses to go then I will be perfectly happy with that as well. He is someone who has done a lot for the team. So, if he leaves now I am sure the fans will be content with what he contruibuted, but if he stays then he can keep adding on to his Quakes legacy. Broccoli Dolores
I like watching him play, and if he's here in San Jose I can watch him all the time. I'm selfish that way.
Voted to stay, for the reasons Spartacus stated and others. I highlight the points about this being a crucial time for MLS/US Soccer and Donovans dominance of the game. MLS and US Soccer need him to keep raising the visibility of the league. He also needs to develop better consistency at a high level before he can really move on to Europe. However Bayer Leverkusen is doing so poorly right now that this might be the best time for him to make an impact with the manager and squad.
I voted for him to stay, for the reaons everyone else has said. Especially important is his impact on US soccer, I know people who have just now started to watch MLS and the Mens national team because they have heard about him. MLS and the US needs that.
I voted for him to stay. I really enjoy watching him play. He is very young and has plenty of time to have a career in Europe if that is what he wants! I think it is for the best for him and for US soccer that he stay and play here for at least a couple of years.
I wouldn't care, if he didn't have such a large group of pathetic followers.. But he does. That, along with his end-of-season diving, made me hate him.. The team might need him, but I want him, or his groupies, gone.
Good Lord! I'm starting to worry about the posters on this board... If I'm embodying the voice of reason then we're all in trouble!
He has to stay because (a) Spartacus wise words..."A wise man once said...." (b) The Quakes and MLS need him for marketing...groupies are better then having less people attending and hopefully they will get attached to the team, sport and league no matter who is on the team. (c) He still has a lot developing to do and has not matured enough...he needs to learn how to take control of games on a regular basis. (d) See above...he will be murdered in Europe if he keeps mouthing off, diving and coming across as a cry baby etc... (e) It gives us something to talk about over the off- season (f) He could easily become the greatest American player ever, so lets have a chance to enjoy him whilst we can.. -Richard
I will say this since I left in August and din't see any MLS action since that period, so please take that into account. I think Donovan still has a lot of time to mature as a player and a person. However to me the next two years in coaching will make all the difference in Donovan fulfilling his potential and being as good say as a Baggio, a Del Piero, or an Owen or any wold class striker like that or ending up a tempermental brat or has been with good talent i.e. Anelka Collymore.... I'm not saying if he doesn't go that's what will happen, I just think it'll force him to grow up a lot faster and let his goals do the talking. But for the record I wold absolutely love him to stay in San Jose and help us recapture our championship from the pikeys of the south.. cheers.