I know Landon is not having a Gold Cup. Here are a couple of reasons why I believe we may just see a great game from him. Game is in Landon's backyard. Player's play best when they are at home. Landon always enjoys playing Mexico. In fact, I bet there is no other team he enjoys playing and beating more. Of all the impact players available for both sides, Landon is probably the most rested. Landon is the Mexecutioner for a reason and I suspect he may just have one of those games we will be talking about for a long time.
Here's hoping! its going to take a special perfromance from alot of players in order to win this and seeing Donovan running past guys and making space will be a great sight to see again.
Landon being able to sleep in his own bed and having his family at the game will definitely impact his game. I imagine we will see a very good LD.
I think this thread was created under the pretense that there isn't something wrong with him physically. In my opinion that is what has been limiting him, not his form. We'll see what happens but I'm expecting a performance on par with the ones he has given in this tournament thus far.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDyVGj22Ml8"]YouTube - Mexico vs Usa Top 10 Goals‏[/ame] #10 on the list.
Just posted on the Fox Soccer FB Homepage: "No matter how many times you beat them it's always 'whose the best team in CONCACAF'. Why don't you look at the results? It's pretty clear. That's why they're talking and say what they do, because they can't do it on the field." - Landon Donovan The Mexecutioner
How did that video leave out Landon's WORLD CUP QUARTERFINAL goal against the Mexis? For the rest of my life, THAT GOAL will come to mind when I hear the phrase "NAIL IN THE COFFIN." Funeral accessories might occur to me as an afterthought.
With all due respect to Landon, Mexico has had the upper hand recently. Since the 2002 game, what has happened? WCQ (2 cycles): teams have split. We've won here (2-0 x 2), they've won there (2-1 x 2). Hardly an advantage for either team. Gold Cup: we won in 2007 2-1. (big one), they demolished us in 2009 5-0 with the B sides. We won the most important match. They won the most recent, and by a bigger margin. Friendlies: 2003: Houston: 0-0 2004: Dallas: 1-0 USA 2007: Phoenix: 2-0 USA 2008: Houston: 2-2 Again, until we can win a game @Mexico, we shouldn't get to talk smack. Though this one may qualify.
Most of the countries in the world probably couldn't beat Mexico in Azteca, does that mean that until they consistently lose on their home ground no team can say they are better than them? EVERY team should be able to beat its rivals on their home field, its a rivalry because the teams are so even and there is more money to be made in the US so that is where the games are played. We are not able to say we are always and forever better than Mexico, we've had some nice wins over the years, including alot of games where we were the underdogs, but for the most part these teams are about as even as it gets and every game is a tossup. Even the 09 GC final was scoreless for 60 minutes until all hell broke loose.
We won the Gold Cup that mattered. We twice qualified before them in the Hex. We twice outscored them aggregate head to head. That's what has happened.
Did we beat them in Mexico yet? BTW finishing 1st in the Hex has gotten us what? Head of a WC group? Extra money? More votes in Concacaf?
Another reason to love the career of Landon Donovan. It has been his personal mission to own the Mexican national team, which he has done and continues to do. Goal and assist tonight for Landon?
Landon also has the trump card...the most important win in US/Mexico history, El Gran Dos A Cero. The 2-0 World Cup smash that turned this rivalry into a blood feud.
I hope so. But he'll probably have to do it from the 2nd half. Apparently looking like Bob won't start him. Because according to Bob, the team is playing good with his starting lineups.
Who said anything about beating them consistently @Azteca. I said beat them once. Most of the games we play are in the USA. Until you win a game in the other team's house, how can you say you own them? I mean, to most people, this idea would be absurd. We've never won @Mexco. Ever. Not since we began playing international soccer in what (1885 or 1914, depending). We've never won at your place, but we own you! It's absurd. Again, since 2002, it's pretty mixed. Most US fans are delusional about 2009, they sent a B team also.
Please find me that quote! Bob: "Our team is playing pretty good with my lineups" Hilarious. No chance Donovan doesn't start. That's right, that's a double negative, but I was feeling it. Kljestan was no good in that last game anyway. And Donovan is, after all, The Mexecutioner! That could be a bizarro Robert Rodriguez trilogy!