Sir Landon Of Donovan

[Catamount]

are you serious Andrea Canales? I can't tell if you being sarcastic.

Yes. I'm absolutely serious. She has an amazing way of telling the story through the words of the participants. Brilliant writer.

I enjoyed this perspective contrasting English and American soccer scandals.

Pulling no punches on Ruud Gullit. Good Stuff.

She doesn't generally hold back and she does an excellent job of checking her sources. Most amazing to me as a part time journalist, she has access to everybody in the US. That takes a lot of work and requires gaining trust.

You are not the only one who disagrees with me, however. What is your opinion? Until now no one has been able to explain to me what makes her a poor journalist. They simply tell me she's bad, without being able to offer any evidence.

 

[Garbaggio]

In regards to Soccer By Ives:

Ives actually has a HUGE following and don't remember numerous times when he was flat-out wrong in his reporting. He's probably in the top 3 in writing about soccer/football in the States if not the premier writer at the moment.
People voted his blog No. 1 on the US soccer Web site and he people also voted him the top soccer/football writer on soccerlens . com
Just my two cents ...

Don't confuse journalism and running a nice forum. He does the latter. 95% of his info is gleaned off the wires and the other 5% is gleaned from dubious "sources". He has been wrong on several occasions. Here is one example.

Soccer By Ives: Szetela to sign with Roma

But don't just take my word for it, head over to Bigsoccer.com to see the consensus opinion for yourself. FWIW, I appreciate the blog, but comparing him to Grant Wahl, who actually knows Donovan well, I'd say it's pretty easy to to surmise who's more likely an insider.

 

[Dominghosa]

Actually, Ives is a journalist. He wrote for the News Herald in New Jersey and covered the New York Red Bulls and NJ preps soccer from 1996-2008 until he split with the paper to do his blog full-time and write more for ESPN.com. If you haven't noticed, those news sites don't let just anyone write for them (other than soccernet.com's "fan articles.")

I imagine he puts a lot of wire stories on his blog because he wants to make it a "one-stop shop" for soccer lovers in the US. Look at ESPN.com and cnnsi.com, more than 80 percent of their actual news stories are from wires.

You may be right about that Szetela story (back in 2007 it looks like) but even though he ultimately didn't sign with Roma doesn't mean a "contract agreement" didn't happen. I will counter your link with this one: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=459105&cc=5901

Ives does a lot of original reporting, whether it's trying to find out where US-based players will transfer or sign or being in the press box at MLS matches and US Soccer matches or on site talking to prospects and MLS coaches at the MLS combine.

Can you tell I read his blog a lot? Haha. Anyway, just thought I'd be an SBI apologizer and I will not apologize for it.

As for Canales, love her work.
And Grant Wahl is a great writer. He's also a good reporter but with his position at CNNSI.com, he's more of a writer than anything else. He's not being leaned on to actually break news. I could go on an on about this stuff, but I'll stop here.

 

[Garbaggio]

I was going to say that you clearly have a dog in the race, but you admitted as much, so I'll leave it there. While Ives performs a valuable service for people who want to be kept abreast of U.S. Soccer news, to say that his "inside info" is reliable is a stretch. His writing for ESPN is almost entirely confined to "human interest" stories and analysis, not breaking stories (as is the case of any soccer writer employed by the big online sports sites). Again, this is the consensus opinion of U.S. Soccer fans not among his devotees (meaning the majority- see Bigsoccer.com Yanks Abroad Donovan thread for proof).

 

[OHIO Patrick]

I was going to say that you clearly have a dog in the race, but you admitted as much, so I'll leave it there. While Ives performs a valuable service for people who want to be kept abreast of U.S. Soccer news, to say that his "inside info" is reliable is a stretch. His writing for ESPN is almost entirely confined to "human interest" stories and analysis, not breaking stories (as is the case of any soccer writer employed by the big online sports sites). Again, this is the consensus opinion of U.S. Soccer fans not among his devotees (meaning the majority- see Bigsoccer.com Yanks Abroad Donovan thread for proof).

I agree, he kept putting up stories of how Robbie Rogers was out of contract and was not, that is why I don't think he has any knowledge of Donovan's contract, if he can't find out that Rogers is still under contract how reliable can his INSIDE info be. He also made statements that Chad Marshall was out of contract. The local reporter here had to correct him and set the record straight.

 

[dabes2]

Don't confuse journalism and running a nice forum. He does the latter. 95% of his info is gleaned off the wires and the other 5% is gleaned from dubious "sources". He has been wrong on several occasions. Here is one example.

Soccer By Ives: Szetela to sign with Roma

But don't just take my word for it, head over to Bigsoccer.com to see the consensus opinion for yourself. FWIW, I appreciate the blog, but comparing him to Grant Wahl, who actually knows Donovan well, I'd say it's pretty easy to to surmise who's more likely an insider.

I think this is a tad harsh because I do think Ives tries pretty hard to do his own digging and seems to have a decent network of contacts. Not saying it's remotely comparable to Wahl when it comes to a Donovan issue. I agree with your conclusion re: Landon.

Ives is trying to compete with Steven Goff as the "breaker of USA soccer news" presumably because that is what drives hits to his blog. IMO, his biggest issue is that he runs with poorly validated half stories.

 

[fairweather fan]

I'm glad Donovan is helping you guys out. I've only seen two of Everton's games since Donovan arrived. He looks like he belongs, but I haven't seen him take on defenders like he does here in the US.
Hopefully, as he gains confidence, he will show even more...

 

[thebes20]

American here, not that familar with the team yet. Though I'm really excited the game Sat is on ESPN, I'll be up early to catch it.

Anyway, here's my question. I was under the impression that LD would be getting playing time right now cause you guys have some guys out of action right now. So I guess my question is, A) True? And if so, B) Would LD be a regular starter once you guys get back to full strength? Because to me, I'm inclined to think Landon would prefer being a regular starter for LA over a spot starter for Everton. Otherwise, I'm pro-leaving MLS. Just curious...

You must have read some of the same reports of the game time that I did. BUT, I think it is more like 7:45pm not 6:45am. That would make more sense. Game has to be middayish and with about a 5 hour time difference, I think we both got bad info from several sites.
Just went to ESPN2 and it has it listed at 7:45am I am EST and have seen it also listed at 7:45pm. What is it?

 

[RNG]

Don't confuse journalism and running a nice forum. He does the latter. 95% of his info is gleaned off the wires and the other 5% is gleaned from dubious "sources". He has been wrong on several occasions. Here is one example.

Soccer By Ives: Szetela to sign with Roma

But don't just take my word for it, head over to Bigsoccer.com to see the consensus opinion for yourself. FWIW, I appreciate the blog, but comparing him to Grant Wahl, who actually knows Donovan well, I'd say it's pretty easy to to surmise who's more likely an insider.

I like Ives's site, and the recent interview scoops with Charlie Davies were great.

That said, Grant Wahl wrote his recent book on Beckham with heavy Donovan cooperation, so he clearly has a relationship there.

My bet: This is one of those contractual gray areas which are open to a fair amount of interpretation. Donovan may see it one way; the Galaxy another way. Either way, if he really really wants to stay (for the rest of this season at least), and the money is good enough, this will happen....

 

[chicoazul]

You must have read some of the same reports of the game time that I did. BUT, I think it is more like 7:45pm not 6:45am. That would make more sense. Game has to be middayish and with about a 5 hour time difference, I think we both got bad info from several sites. Sleep in.

If you're GMT -5 then it's 7.45am kick off.

Has anyone got listings for Fox Sports en espanol?

 

[ShaggyReAL]

7:45am EST sounds right to me. I get to wake up at 5:00 am on a Sat woohoo :blink:

It's worth it though. Everton in HD vs. thee [Poor language removed]!

 

[Upper Sturry Sherbets]

I can see Donovan being around here until Christmas the way it's going, he's the US version of Moutinho I'm starting to think.

I was reading in the bath earlier the match report on Kipper from last weeks sunderland game and Landon D really impressed, scored one, and was busy and industrial and seemed to already be a fan favorite, or at least given time, could be.

He's only here for another month or so, what happens after that remains to be seen, but playing in Europe would of been of some benefit and hopefully he can take it on into the summer and have a good tournament, quietly confident.

 

[Gyorgi]

new to you...

Hello to my new 'Blue' family (that is, if you'd accept me).
Since a young age, I have been a fan of that little team known as Manchester United. In recent years, however, my interest in the team, as well the passion I would once have has almost completely faded.

One of the main reasons is their fans. I have grown to really dislike their fans...or any fans of the popular top 5's. Living in the States, very rarely will you find anybody supporting a team not in the top 5.

To me, the table doesn't matter if there's no passion from the fans. As an American I build a passion for teams that support our players. Not only did you accept Brian McBride, you also took in Howard after Fergie got rid of him, and now Donovan. But the way you've embraced Donovan, and the family like atmosphere you all seem to show has made me feel like I've found what I've been looking for this whole time!

As a Galaxy Season Ticket Holder, I wouldn't want Landon anywhere else. He's done more than enough for us, and I think it's time he plays in the Prem...hopefully he finds a way to stay.

Thank You.

 

[Catamount]

Don't confuse journalism and running a nice forum. He does the latter. 95% of his info is gleaned off the wires and the other 5% is gleaned from dubious "sources". He has been wrong on several occasions. Here is one example.

Soccer By Ives: Szetela to sign with Roma

But don't just take my word for it, head over to Bigsoccer.com to see the consensus opinion for yourself. FWIW, I appreciate the blog, but comparing him to Grant Wahl, who actually knows Donovan well, I'd say it's pretty easy to to surmise who's more likely an insider.

Grant Wahl is not a beat journalist like Canales or Goff. He is a feature writer, magazine journalist, and an exceptionally good one. We are fortunate that he has taken an interest in the beautiful game.

Canales started as an independent beat writer around So. Cal. and was able to develop a lot connections that led to her taking on the editorial role at Goal.com. She initially covered a lot of women's soccer as I recall. For a long time she was an English teacher, perhaps still is. She has always had a distinctive style, and because her livelihood didn't depend on her writing, she was able to say some things in op/ed pieces that many pros wouldn't say.

Great writing talent and pretty thorough and scrupulous about sources. She has done a ton of interviews with LD. Would be interesting to hear what he thinks of her.

 

[TX Bill]

Canales, Ives, Wahl, Lalas, duNord, Seltzer, Glenn Davis....


I read 'em all and love 'em.