I know that starting a Donovan thread around here should be against the Law but I thought this was worth it.... watching him play over the past month or so it looks like he has taken the proverbial "Leap". I mean wow. You watch him playing in the middle of the field for San Jose and he can pretty much do whatever the hell he wants to. He NEVER has a bad touch, he doesn't make bad passes. Quite the opposite actually. He has PERFECT touch and he delievers beautiful passes. I mean he even makes the simple passes a thing of beauty. Like a perfectly weighted square ball that runs down-hill enough so that the reciever doesn't even have to slow down or adjust his touch (a big problem in MLS). We know about his ability to take people on and simly blow by them like they'e just stnding there (see: Linke, Thomas - Cannavaro, Fabio). But now? He's aggressive from everywhere! He's starting to take shots from outside the box. We all used to think it was he simply didn't have that in his game. We were wrong. And the best part is that these things are WICKED. 20 - 30 yards out and he puts them on a forzen rope. Once he truly puts it all together (not quite there yet) he'll be pretty much unstoppable. I actually think its amazing that he improved so much from his World Cup form in 02...I mean as good as he was then who would of thought it was even possible to improve like this? So while we have all of our current poster boys for "Next" - Szetela, Gaven, Beasley, Adu, Convey, Ed Johnson - Let's take a moment to appreciate what we have and seem to have lost in this explosion of youth talent.
You probably need to smoke a cigarette after that one... or just hold yourself and enjoy the afterglow. The player is playing well, enough said.
I agree completely. The outside shot was missed sorely, and now he certainly seems much more complete. The only question is, will he play his best in the biggest games? I'm thinking more and more these days that the answer will be yes.
One caveat. He needs to do that in a qualie,and not the grenada qualie. It's exciting (maybe a little TOO exciting for some people,I mean,get a room!) to see Landon be as dominant as he has surely been,but qualifying is the next level.
Too many Young Donovan threads? Compared to whom? Young Adu? Indeed Donovan is playing at a world class level, but the questions remain. Could he play as well if he was back in the Bundesliga? Or in the EPL? Or Serie A? Would he ever get the space, considering his size, to ply his talents, like he is in MLS? One counterpoint: It has merrit to point out the Euroleagues have bigger and more physical field players, but they do not excell in goal. When you see a MLS star beating one of our sterling goalies, most of the time that goal is well earned.
If Donovan has made the leap it is huge for US soccer. In addition, now that Adu is the poster child, Landon leaving for EUrope won't hurt the league as much as it would have a year ago.
Great point. In particular, Walker (against Cancela in the first half and Twellman in the second) and Hartman (in particular the goal mouth scramble in the first half and DeRosario's rising shot in the second) made some world class saves. And I fully agree about Donovan. He's played the best soccer of his life since that Mexico game, and hopefully settled the "tweener" issue of being a forward or midfielder. The US played their best game I can remember against Mexico, and I'm hard pressed to remember a time when the Quakes so thoroughly controlled the run of play like they did last night. Donovan is becoming the coveted player that makes everybody on the field better, but concurrently can take over a game (run at people, deliver the perfect pass on a counter, track back on defense and win the 50-50s.) And yes, I'm very excited for the upcoming group of players as well.
There is always the excitement of "the next big thing" or "just wait until next year", but the truth is we have a glut of established, quality players on the USMNT. Next month on thru the summer of 2006 will be every US soccer fans wet dream. Keller, Friedel, Howard, Donovan, Mathis, JOB, Reyna, McBride, Beasley, etc. etc. coming together better than they were in 2002 is going to be a treat to watch. If one or two of the "new" guys (i.e. Conor, Adu, Cooper, etc.) can progress to the point that they make an impact on the WC2006 team , then that will be gravey ontop of what we already have.
Yeah, there's always someone that says, "yeah, but...." (not picking on you Russ, cuz I don't think that's totally what you're saying.) They'll say, "Yeah, but it was only against Cuba." "Yeah, but can he do it in a big game." Yeah, but.... I have a feeling if Zinadine Zidane played for the USMNT, there would be someone saying, "Yeah, but...." I'm going out on the limb with ya, Appoo...Donovan has made the leap.
All these questions about "Can he do it in a big game?"... Have you forgotten that the big-time matches is when Landon really shows up with his A game? MLS Cup 2003 - 2 goals MLS Semis 2003 - Game-Winning OT Goal MLS Quarter 2003 - Goal and assist MLS Cup Playoffs is when Landon REALLY shines, and no doubt in the big games oversees he'd be a stud there too. Im starting to believe in Landon.. But what has made the change? I think a change in attitude Landon no longer thinks he is the 'Quakes diva. He stays on his feet whenever he can He doesn't try to milk fouls for all they've got Hes stepped up his team leadership. Landon is the real deal.
Watching Quakes last night, I think they'll be fine (not as good, but still good enough) without Landon- Ching, Mullan have improved and DeRo does some really nice stuff sometimes..I think they'll still be an above-average offense, and one of the better teams in league (although Agoos getting long in tooth- time for new blood back there). Landon, your mission is complete and one can only work on your golf game so much (geez man, at 22- you shouldn't HAVE a golf game). Time for you to swim in bigger waters....
I agree. I"m a huge MLS and want our league to have as good as players as possible but Landon is the exception at this point, even though he is still progressing in MLS, I think he would get even better by moving to either Spain or England. If he doesnt go to either of those places he should stay in MLS but if he gets a good offer from a quality team in either of those leagues I think Donovan, MLS, the National team, and American soccer in gereral will all benefit greatly from him playing there from the combination of him being pushed to a new level, and increase from the worldwide soccer media once he starts performing well there.
I don't follow landon (and the us team as well) as much as I do the epl. I will say that one criticism I have about landon (and why I don't think he has reached or is really close to reaching world class striker level) is that it seems he does not finish goals on a consistent basis. For instance, strikers like Henry and owen (not including this year) will almost always finish one on one's with goalies. When landon has a breakaway, I never say to myself "Goal!!" before it actually happens. I know he is young, but if he really is the kind of striker ready to spearhead the us attack (lol, sorry!) then he needs to be more consistent with his finishing. Need I add, IMHO. gp
These are ridiculous questions. He is a central figure on one of the world's best teams, one which is improving at a rate faster than any from another country. And, he has proven himself on the Big Stage. There is nothing bigger than the World Cup. What more is there to say? If he stays in the US, he won't get any worse. All that will be missing is the ego soothing chaf that comes with being overseas. Of course can do it in the PL, BL, or Se. A.
Donovan was very good last night, but most importantly, he made everyone else around him better. Mulrooney played better than he has most of the season, Mullan looked much better, and Ching looked like a monster. I don't tend to get excited so much when a good player looks like an isolated star on the field. But when that same player makes everyone else better - there's reason for anticipation.
one of the reason's I started this thread but forgot to write down in my initial post. Only great players make others look better. They had so much more space to operate with last night and I'm fairly sure that reason is Donovan. No other player in MLS can do that in the midfield. Not Convey, Not Guevara, Not Herzog, not ANYONE.
I definatly see where your coming with this because it annoys me also when they say Donovan isn't as good as player X because X plays in Europe. We KNOW Landon has the talent, ability, what have you to suceed anywhere he plays. But until he actually does do that you can't say he has earned the respect of a world class player. A better question is if that actually means anything. I really don't think so. The reaosn I want Landon to play with a good team in Europe is for purely selfish reasons. Do you realize how fun it would be to watch him play in front of Roy Keane or Darren Fletcher, between Christiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs, and behind Ruud Van Niestelrooy and Luis Saha? This needs to happen. But I don't think he needs to goto to Europe to get better. He needs to goto Europe so he can destroy the myth that American's can't ball. Also, I don't think that World Cup was indicative of just how good the level of play can be at that level. 3/4ths of the stars in that tournament where playing at less than 95% because of the ridiculus schedule they played. FIFA needed to do something about that and they have. In 2006 we'll were going to see some AMAZING soccer
I agree that Donovan is playing the best ball I've ever seen out of any American player, but I disagree with a lot of the other stuff being said here. Success in a top-flight Euro league is a legitimate measuring stick and Landon needs it to get better. I'm going to make two not-so-bold assertions to defend this position: (1) Playing against better competition makes you better, and (2) playing against the best comp is the only way to really know how good you are. Is it that you don't think these two statements are correct or that you think they somehow do not apply to LD? My intent here is not to bash Landon at all. I want him to do well and expect him to do well, but I just don't see how the logic that applies to every other player in the world would not apply to him.
Landon would actually, today, be a more impressive player in EPL than he is in MLS. No improvement would be necessary. Why? He's a great complementary player. The same reason he's often better for the USMNT than he is for SJE. The higher the level, the more we'll see from him. Hence his great performances in MLS playoffs 2001/2003 and WC2002. (... just my opinion. )
donovan must go overseas this offseason. thats it. he must prove himself there for the next step to be established. i have all the faith in him imaginable, dont get me wrong. but the mls time is over and the euro-leagues time is upon him. i cant wait to see him line up for a big tream and get playing time consistantly. honestly, if leverkusen brings him back but then loans himn out again to a lower club in europe thats ok too,. still better play consistantly than mls. i would love to see leverkusen play him roight away. hell be in shape after ending the mls season, and ready to go. hell need some time to get used ot the team chemistry but that will happen over the winter break in europe. i wish him the best of luck, his rise to europe will only bring better things to the nats. i will say the same for DMB as well, he needs to grow up and go overseas as well. i see him more in the epl though. forza inter
They're not ridiculous questions, they're legit. Until he has proven himself in a top league, he is unproven in top leagues. Very likely, he'd have success. But the fact is, better players than LD have struggled in the EPL, PL, SA and the bund. He didn't set Germany in fire when he was too young to be there. But they're not screaming to get him back ( they should be, they could use him, but they're not shouting about it ). And for all the talk about how he's taken the leap, until the money on the table is climbing over the $10 mill range, he's not being regarded as having joined the world's new elite ( about the amount being tossed about on A. smith, who leeds are thought to be willing to sell cheap, Real value is said to be closer to $18 m.) Until that point, it's all BS.
Donovan marches to his own drummer---- i.e. he will go to Europe when he wants to go. The talent is there no question about it but Landon will not go to Europe until the situation is exactly what he wants. He's not going to waste his time. I am sure secretly MLS, Leverkusen, and his agent probably all have contracts from others piling up on their desks. Some may veiw Landon as a prima donna because if his choice not to hop on the band wagon and head to Europe. I thought that at first but I realize that he's a very loyal to his team and just won't abandon them without a perfect situation. I'm anticipating Landon heading to Europe next winter and I'm willing to bet it will be from a major club either in the EPL, Spain and even Italy.