A question for our American friends. Which Premiere League player can be use to describe Donavan in terms of similar style and attribute?
Fletcher?
The complicated part is that he plays forward for his club and wide midfield for his country and tends to show a little differently in the different roles. In either role, he's an attacking player who excels on the counter-attack. Maybe he's a cross between a Jermaine Defoe and Sean Wright Phillips but also good over a dead ball. Maybe Tierry Henry would be a decent style comparison. I'm sure there's an example of this kind of player all wrapped into one, but it's not coming to me.
In terms of attributes, he's got break-away pace, excellent finishing ability with both feet, and is a strong passer both in possession and on the counter. He's not particularly elaborate with the ball at his feet. He'll beat you with pace, or the give-and-go, but not with a step over or fancy move. But just because he's not "fancy" doesn't mean he's not technical. He's got an excellent first touch. He's always struck dead balls for the USA and Galaxy (until Beckham showed up). He has world class fitness and will work his socks off for an entire match.
He's not big, so don't expect him to get on the end of crosses thrown at his head in the box. He's not someone who is likely to really control the pace of the game (like lets say a Jimmy Bullard) which in my opinion is why he's no longer playing central midfield. There are games where he's got a huge killer instinct to score for himself, and others where he seems more intent on setting up teammates.
When he plays as a wide midfielder for the USA, he will have a propensity to pinch in and let his fullback overlap to create the width.
If you want to see him at his best youtube his goal vs Brazil in the confederations cup this summer. Or his performance vs. Ecuador in a friendly 4-5 years ago where he scored a hat-trick and looked like Lionel Messi.
