I'm getting the uneasy feeling that Donovan is on the way to getting big-headed. Too much media attention. It might affect his game. In a recent interview, Donovan said he's "already succeeded at the highest level." I'm not sure if a few games in the World Cup constitutes succeeding at the highest level. And judging by his last couple of performances (Argentina, Jamaica), he was not the talented playmaker I've seen. I think opposing defenses have his number, and Donovan isn't handling this all too well. Let's hope he adjusts.
Yes, in recent weeks I've been slightly bothered by this as well. But there's no way that we can know all the pressure that he's got on him to "carry" the sport into mainstream America. Let's hope he pulls it off with brilliance.
my problem with donovan -- and i love the guy -- is that he acts like a super star on the field. always thinking he should get every call and always chirping at the ref. he hasn't earned that sort of respect yet from the officials. he needs to become more blue collar, work hard and have some more fun. just lighten up a little.
yea I've noticed that every time he goes down, he gets up with his arms raised at the ref yelling for a card. Its gotten to be where I know he's going to do that every time he goes down. I agree he needs to lighten up a bit, I want to see him the way he was with his first year with the Quakes; he was almost always smiling on the field.
Re: Donovan's BALDING Head yeah i got that same problem, nothing like having a thinning hair line at 23
I think this is something to worry about if he continues to struggle into the MLS season. You can't say that he's lost his edge after watching 2 games when I think the entire team's performance (with the exception of a few) was below average. Michael Jordan works the officials and Landon is doing to same thing because they both command the most respect on the field.
He was the second leading scorer for the Quakes and he only played in 20 games. I don't think he did that bad. http://www.sjearthquakes.com/press_box/regular_season02.htm
I'm not kidding, that boy's head is like Sputnik; spherical but quite pointy at parts! Aye, now that was offsides, now wasn't it? He'll be crying himself to sleep tonight, on his huge pillow. re: Donovan being the Quakes second-leading scorer. first, that's a back-handed compliment. also, he was still a whiner. doesn't change anything.
being the quakes second leading scorer last year is like being the best leper in the colony. hardly something worth bragging about. besides graziani nobody else on the team could score .....
After returning from the World Cup Donovan started 12 games and in those twelve game he had 5 goals and 1 assist. He also would have had another assist if not for a goal that was ruled an own goal. Not to mention he scored in the All-Star game. Not bad for a guy who played early in the year, traveled across the Pacific, scored twice (and responsible for the own goal against Portugal) in the World Cup, and then finished the season in San Jose. I would think that he is more burned out rather than too confident. After all that and only two games in 2003 you want to suggest that Donovan is struggling because he has a big head? It's way too early to think that this is a problem. If the MLS season starts and it continues, then you have a point.
Donovan Fails 1st Major Leadership Test http://www.sams-army.com/index.php?Mlist=content_full&Article_id=124
I watched the game and I don't think he lacked composure. He was fired up to play. There were a few calls that weren't called and I understood his frustration. I don't really see how his arguing with the refs and getting into it with other players hurts his leadership abilities. Michael Jordan argues all the time and yet he is a great leader. Plus the article doesn't mention anything of how Donovan leads off the field which is a very important aspect of leadership.
haha, guy named "mellon" commenting on donovan's head. [hangs head in shame] i'm sucha dork [/hangs head in shame]
Hey! Us big heads have to stick together! I wonder what size hat he wears? 7 5/8 for myself thank you very much.
bump I just remembered this thread. Well what do you think? His goal against Venezuela was world-class. I think he's going to be fine.