Will Donovan become a target?

I noticed that when the US did get a quick break that Argentina would foul to slow it down. A foul costs them nothing and gives them a chance to regroup.

 

Donovan was not alone. DMB also got roughed up a few times. In fact, I'm really impressed by DMB's composure.

LD needs to tone it down. Like either TK or RS said, " You already got the opposing player a yellow, just walk away. Don't try to start a melee."

 

Did LDs response to the rough play early in the game help to get that yellow card later on? We dont play the subtle parts of the game the way South American and European teams do.

 

Lets not make this an LD thing.

You know what I was talking about. Other teams know how to work the officials, to get calls thier way.

 

The first time Donovan got drilled, he wasn't paying attention to his blind side, and didn't even know that the Argie defender was there. That guy went in hard, but it was shoulder to shoulder. Donovan just wasn't prepared for the contact. I didn't even think that one was even really a foul, and Donovan reacted like the guy cold-cocked him... Did you see the look on the defender's face? He couldn't believe it, and neither could I. This was nothing like what everyone did to Maradonna in '86... HE was a target. Donovan and Beasley put themselves in situations to get pounded, they are small, and they are dangerous. Of course you are going to play them rough. In my mind the Argies made no dirty fouls, except for maybe one on Olsen in the middle of the field after the guy made a bad touch.

The Argentines play "properly"... professional fouls, and professional time-wasting tactics at the end of the game (sudden injuries and slow subs). I hate the time-wasting crap, but look at basketball or football. It isn't thought of as "cheating" or something. It is part of the sport that we have yet to really embrace and utilize.

 

Maybe you should put the tape back in. I won't condone Donovan for getting back up and getting in his face, but that was NOT shoulder to shoulder. I've watched the game twice since yesterday (mainly to see the brilliance of D'Allesandro) and I can tell you that that hit was not shoulder to shoulder.

 

Donovan was definitely hacked down a couple of times with the intent to stop or slow him down. I don't blame him for being angry, but I was disappointed that he retaliated a bit. Retaliation will get him a red card in a big game. He's got to control his temper.

 

I doubt you'll see him retaliate in a meaningful game.
He seems like a savvy player.

 

I just picked up the new issue of World Soccer and noted that LD received two third place votes for world player of the year. One of the countries that voted for him.......Mexico.........Nice. I guess you earn a measure of respect being the player who put the final nail in the coffin.

 

In a meaningful game, an Argie would have been carded for the sheer number of times they did pull Donovan down.

 

yeah theres nothing more I like than seeing Latin and South american players flop around and whine to the refs. Let alone always getting in each others' faces and swinging around like a couple of chicks in a cat fight.

With that said, the criticism that LD should control his temper, the same that was given to Mathis before is ridiculous. No you don't put your team in a bad position by not acting like a professional, but this is international soccer folks, not your kids' rec game.

 

Re: Re: Will Donovan become a target?

Are you suggesting that it's really only a bunch of bored old guys on the internet who analyze Donovan's career decisions for insight into his personal character, mental toughness, etc.?

 

All we base our opinions on are what we see. He acted like a child. He should have been booked for the elbow in the second half. Yes, he was being held but in many games he might have been tossed for the elbow if he made contact. I was unimpressed and disappointed in him. Let's not forget that there were six "unknown" argie players that were just as good if not better than him.

I think he was smart to stay home. He wouldn't last a minute in a league like the Premiership. I can't believe that at 20 years old with his experience he doesn't yet know how to find the right time to let opposing player know he won't take it, i.e. a good crunching tackle. Instead, he immediately lets them know they are under his skin. Pitiful.

In contrast, Beasely was truly professional.

 

Of course he will become a target. He's a skill player. Skillful players are always going to be the target of physical defenders, always have, always will be. He's already a target just by being a player who ahndles the ball well and attacks. It's the nature of the game.

I think he handles it pretty good for a young player. He doesn't get unnecessary cards, doesn't get intimidated. What the hell do you expect him to do, go around kissing every guy who takes a shot at him? And, no player is required to struggle to maintain his balance after he's hacked. It's generally counterproductive to do so. Take the free kicks when you earn them.

He's a target all right, and will be more of a target as he improves and becomes more important to the team. It's important how he handles it, but so far, he hasn't had a problem with it. Until he rants or dives to the point where he is getting cards for it, he's just fine.

 

In answer to the question that names this thread:

Donovan will not become a target--he already IS a target for several reasons. First, he has received recognition for his play. (Didn't he just get ranked something like #29 in the world at his position? Seems like I read that in another BS thread, for what that's worth.) Second, he has speed and skills, so defenders will try to slow him down. Third, he is not the biggest player out there, so larger players will see if he can be intimidated. Fourth, the position he plays often receives physical play. Finally, he reacts to physical play in a way that gives the impression that, by roughing him up a bit, you can get into his head and distract him from what he does best. (I've heard more than one coach tell a defender to knock an opponent around because of how that opponent reacts to a foul.)

Regarding the last point, LD may be one of those players who can show his frustration without his game suffering, a la John McEnroe. However, getting up in the face of an opponent the way he did in the first half and/or the way he screamed at the official in the second half (even after the ref had shown yellow to the Argentinian) should have earned him a booking. Does he not see such physical play in MLS, or do the refs protect him more?

 

The Argies always play rough. Just look at their WWF- style match against Mexico.
As far as Donovan becoming a target -face it, he was a target before the World Cup. But if he keeps up that attitude he was displaying in the last game, he'll hurt the team and his coach will start talking shiite about him in the media (like Mathis).