I included a lot of options in this poll, so if by some freak of my imagination, I have forgotten anything, please list it accordingly. Also, as anticipated as his debut will be, how do you think he will do?
Well enough to get more PT, but I believe it will take him a couple of matches to acclimate himself to the speed of play.
It seems something of a tradition for Yanks Abroad to score in their first match. I say he comes off the bench at minute 71, looks really fast but rather rusty, then scores a garbage goal after the keeper fumbles a shot from someone else.
I don't see a real difference between these two options: Come off the bench, play the last half-hour Come off the bench, for most of the second half perhaps you should break each half into 15 minute segments, or the entire game into 10 or even 5 minutes segments (although that would be a really long poll). If he gets on the field in his first game, that will be a great sign for him, but I don't think it will be for any more than the final 15-25 minutes of the game.
My heart says he'll play the entire 90 and do extremely well. My head says he'll come on as a sub in the first few games, play well, and be a regular starter from there on out. And I guarantee the speed of play will not be a problem.
I know I'm biased (and you certainly are) but Bayer fans really have no clue how good of a player they just got. I get the feeling that it will be Bayer fans who are saying, "Finally" very soon.
Forgot to mention that the debut match on 1/23 has Bayer Leverküsen away to Hannover 96 (featuring Steve Cherundolo). Thanks for the responses, everyone... keep 'em coming!
I'm going to cheat and wait until after the Feyenoord game this weekend to see how the coach uses him before I make my choice. Course, if I were the coach, he'd start and play the full 90.
I can't imagine Landycakes starting. Sure, he's a fantastic player, but I don't think that they will start him right away, especially after the long German winter break. He'll come in at half and produce some interesting moments...no goals, though...
Well considering his main compition (Ponte) showed up to camp unfit and is running extra with 2 other players to get into fitness I think Donovan is already one up on the game. In fact I think Donovan will have little trouble displacing Ponte as the first choice. He will start and go 90 as long as he adapts to the teams tactics and style during the break.
Landon came on in the 2nd half today (for Ponte) and kicked the ball around in a blowout for Bayer. The odd thing is that it was another American that actually started the match...C. Gibbs who's training with Feyenoord.
i think he will come on in the second half depending on the score if its too tight, then he might only come on in the last 10 minutes, but if bayer r winning like 2-3 - 0 then i think he should be able to play about 30 minutes. commmon, u cant expect him to play the full 90 minutes on his debut.....
Well, yes, I do wish it did. And I'm guilty as charged, with taking liberties with the artistic license. Just go with it, people.
He definitely is not going to start straight out of the gate, but he will more than likely get some time hopefully and work his way up to a starting position if he decides to bring his game to every game and not slack off like he has done at times in MLS. I think his future in Germany is pretty promising.