If he'd stuck it out in Europe he might have and in a meaningful game. Beasley, who showed some grit and won his way into the PSV starting lineup probably will get the opportunity.
Herc Gomez or Mike Enfield to replace Donovan then. After watching tonight, both displayed hunger to make things happen.
I don't even want to think about that option. They did hustle... but Enfield is all heart... he's a bit hyper on the ball. Gomez did deliver a nice ball to him for the goal. Hopefully Kiro and Vagenas will be healthy and LD will be allowed to come back for the match.
get real. if landon wasn't there for a meaningful match last night he's not going to be there for a meaningless friendly. and all you people saying that fewer tickets will be sold if landon isn't there are nuts! The few people who decide not to go to the game because of no landon will be replaced by the thousands of people going to see ronaldo, beckham, owen, roberto carlos, zidane, raul, figo, etc... Finally, Landon Donovan will have a chance to play against most of those people I just mentioned next summer in the world's most meaningful soccer competition barring injury.
Can't hurt to try. If some of us are pessimistic to predict a loss with our starters, it'll be the same with our reserves, just on a bigger margin.
Geez, I've never heard this argument before. We get it. Beasley is king & Donovan is SH__! You Donovan-smackers need to get some new material.
To FAS: That post about LD was pretty ill-informed. Have you watched any recent WCQ for the USMNT lately? LD has stood out in the US attack for the last 4-5 games. Even above almighty Damarcus Beasley. You can't say LD doesn't have any 'grit'.....Bayern Leverkusen wasn't playing him at all. 80th minute substitutions is not deserving of a player w/ LD's talent. Donovan is more suited to a leadership role, not post-70th minute substition status. He can have that leadership role in L.A. Plus he's American. There is nothing wrong with being homesick or wanting to play in your own country, even if it is in a less talented league. The MLS is only in it's 10 season and we are already getting huge names coming to play our teams. Do you see that happening in most of the other league's in the world? I'm so tired of this European-holier-then-thou attitude. Don't get me wrong, Beasley is very talented, but to slight LD's skill just b/c he doesn't want to sit on the bench in a country far away from home is pretty dim-witted.
If you're going to complain about Donovan not being freed up to play in the Real Madrid game, then it would be nice if you would at least know the situation. The US plays Cuba and Canada in the first round, this weekend, well before the LA/Real game. The problem with Arena freeing up Donovan for the Madrid game is that the US will be playing in the Quarterfinals right before that, on July 16 or 17, and then if they win in the Semifinals right afterwards, on July 21. These games would almost certainly not be against Cuba or Canada, they would be against teams from other groups (could be Mexico, Guatemala, or several other strong teams). And these games on July 16/17 and 21 are elimination games, so there is no room for error.
No way in hell Bruce Arena gives Landon Donovan the night off to play vs Real Madrid. Bruce Arena could give a rats ass if Landon Donovan plays vs them. All that he cares about is if Landon Donovan is rested and healthy for the semi final at the Gold Cup.
because he was a 3rd string keeper. the ONLY way reis is going to see action in the gold cup is if both Kasey and Marcus get injured. Landon Donovan is a First XI player.
As Gutbomb posted, Reis was the #3 goalkeeper, was identified when he was first called to be in the position and was told he would be released back to his team for the MLS games. Arena called in 4 players from the Revs, more than any other MLS team. LA has been hit relatively lightly so far, you had all of your International callups still available yesterday, while other teams did not (DeRosario from San Jose was practicing with Canada, Ruiz was with Guatemala, Avery John was gone from the Revs with Trinidad....), and only had one US player called away. It sucks that this happens in the middle of the MLS season, but overall you don't have much to complain about compared to other teams.
WAIT A SECOND!!!! Wasn't Donovan put in as a 2nd half Substitute 3 years ago for the Earthquakes just 24 hours after he and the U.S. were knocked out of the World Cup by Germany????? I'll be rooting for you guys, 'cause I wanna see MLS prove to the World that our teams can compete with the big boys. I support every MLS Team when they play foreign teams.
Not sure what your point is here.....how does this relate to the situation being discussed on this thread? Once the USMNT was knocked out, he went back to his MLS team. But he didn't go back to play for them during the World Cup....