Sir Landon Of Donovan

[Garbaggio]

You know what pees me off. The Landycakes nickname, myself I think its superb, but its meant as an insult? I would be made up with a nickname like that.

Who Are Ya Designs - Unofficial Shirts As Clever As The Game You Support!

There are those who love to hate. Still pretty clever though.

 

[Garbaggio]

I think he made it about Landon when he used Landon's success to justify his "I am right, you are wrong" rant about differences of opinion regarding MLS. In my post I laid out why I think Landon is a bad example for his argument.

The MLS is on it's way to becoming another feeder league for the best leagues in the world. This is a positive development considering the history of US soccer. The point of contention is how far along this path the MLS is compared to the middle leagues around Europe. Sitting in our own sandbox playing with ourselves wont help us gauge the relative quality of the MLS. Until the MLS becomes one of the top leagues, the only true measurement is how well MLS developed players do at higher levels.

The bottom line is we can't just snap our fingers and make people want to watch 4th or 5th division football. With more success overseas by MLS developed players comes more respect for MLS. Eventually the "eurosnobs" will notice. We just aren't quite there yet.

Sorry to GOT for the Yank centric footy politics!

I have to say that I find your perspective wildly off-base. You could do a little research, take the word of the professionals and coaches with a point of reference... or you could just post this 4th or 5th division nonsense. I can tell by the tone of your post that you're not "taking the micky", which unfortunately makes it worse. You know what would help football in the US more than becoming a "feeder league"? Americans supporting their own domestic league with realistic expectations and enthusiasm.

 

[Garbaggio]

the scottish league and the scandinavian leagues have provided a hell of a lot more success stories in the prem than the mls mate. those leagues are in the shadow of the prem. but many a player has honed their skills there before coming over and making an impact in the top flight here. i like ld but lets not make out that all u.s. pro's are up to his standard, i bet there are some right duffers knocking around the squads, and some right duffer squads as well.

wasn't callum best a bit of a sensation over there in the college leagues ? don't recall much interest this side of the puddle, cos there are are players as good as and better than him to be found on school playing fields across the country

MLS has existed for about 15 years.

 

[mabindurham]

I have to say that I find your perspective wildly off-base. You could do a little research, take the word of the professionals and coaches with a point of reference... or you could just post this 4th or 5th division nonsense. I can tell by the tone of your post that you're not "taking the micky", which unfortunately makes it worse. You know what would help football in the US more than becoming a "feeder league"? Americans supporting their own domestic league with realistic expectations and enthusiasm.

Right, and don't get me started on the whole "I won't watch MLS till it's a top league" thing. My own brothers, who were very good players int he college ranks and even in the national team system (regional level) years ago, take this attitude. It's so short-sighted. An attendance and ratings boost of even a few percentage points could make all the difference in terms of player budget and growth.

 

[heatmeiser]

Wooooo!

Go Bluesox!

 

[djtom]

Food for thought.

Soccer aka Football is the number 1 youth sport in the states. Before MLS, once kids go to high school, then college, where do they go then?

The coaching and level of competition has gotten better. MLS though must compete with American Football (aka HandEgg), Baseball, Baseketball, Hockey, IndyCar/Nascar for athletes and media. The US is a large country and we are starting to see outlets and opportunities for football/soccer players Domestically and abroad. I think the US is 10 years away from competing year in and year out with the European powerhouses and South American powerhouses. The US has big wins and close calls (see them defeating Spain 2-0 over the summer and almost stunning Brazil).

I don't think Bob Bradley is the answer at coach, but European soccer powers (especially many with American owners) will want to start tapping into the talent pool in the US as well as trying to market their teams both on television and by playing games here in the US. If Everton takes a risk here on more players and signs Donovan, they could get a HUGE following here in the states which would help them earn more money that would allow them to compete with the big 5 (Liverpool, Arsenal, Man U, Man City, and Chelsea). I could see Everton in that list so they don't have to sell the next Rooney in order to pay off debts.

Landon Donovan is way better than Clint Dempsey IMO and Clint Dempsey isn't too shabby.

 

[AmEagle]

Defo. They're boss these Americans.

They best hang around.

I started watching Everton because of Donovan. I usually watch PL games with Americans in the team, but don't really have a stake in the game. Win or lose, I enjoy the contest, focusing mostly on if the American player is doing well.

The Everton - Red [Poor language removed] (is that right?) game was different. I was on pins and needles before kick off. I was hyperventilating during the game. I was absolutely gutted at the final whistle.

I'm in.

 

[AmEagle]

A Well written article but it just sounded like "wah wah wah wah" mostly.

Wonder if she's got rid of that nasty chip on her shoulder.

American fans have this nasty habit of thinking that there is this magic pixie dust in Europe that is sprinkled on American players that makes them ten times better the second they step on a 'proper' pitch in one of the big leagues.


Donovan has been the best player for the US national team since, at least, 2002. 99% of his career has been spent on US soil and his accomplishments with the national team were downgraded because he played in MLS. He couldn't possibly be better than Dempsey, Beasley, Michael Bradley, Claudio Reyna, Brian McBride etc. They played in
Europe, ergo they were better.

 

[zimblue]

I couldnt disagree more with this statement. Its bizarre to think that playing with and against better players wont improve your game. Everton is the perfect platform for him to showcase his talents and prove to people that he can thrive at the highest level. So far he has done exceptionally well but its too early to say he is a success overall. Its not everton that "doesnt give him the opportunity to fully express his wide array of abilities", its the quality of the opposition defenders and the immense pressure of prem games that does that. For example English football is littered with players that look like maradona in the championship but flop spectacularly in the prem. Ebanks-blake, marlon king, earnshaw, jason scotland off the top of my head. He was never going to come here and be the main man straight away. But to be considered among the best he has to mix it with the best, and so far he has done that and i for one really hope he signs a long term deal!

 

[Gazdalf]

I couldnt disagree more with this statement. Its bizarre to think that playing with and against better players wont improve your game. Everton is the perfect platform for him to showcase his talents and prove to people that he can thrive at the highest level. So far he has done exceptionally well but its too early to say he is a success overall. Its not everton that "doesnt give him the opportunity to fully express his wide array of abilities", its the quality of the opposition defenders and the immense pressure of prem games that does that. For example English football is littered with players that look like maradona in the championship but flop spectacularly in the prem. Ebanks-blake, marlon king, earnshaw, jason scotland off the top of my head. He was never going to come here and be the main man straight away. But to be considered among the best he has to mix it with the best, and so far he has done that and i for one really hope he signs a long term deal!

Good post. In my opinion.

Obviously I like my opinion.

 

[micknick]

No disrespect to the MLS but it has the same standard as the Championship. Landon will improve in the premiership and it will benefit the US National team.

I'd love for him to stay on- he looks like one of the family already. For all of you that still purr over Fernandes this guy has acheived more already than that guy did in his two stints.

 

[zimblue]

Good post. In my opinion.

Obviously I like my opinion.

I like your opinion.

And mine too.

 

[djtom]

For those of you who think Landon has shone his best game... he hasn't... he is a goal scoring machine. I am waiting for a game where he scores a couple of quality goals to make the Everton supporters very very happy, even though they are tremendously pleased with him already.

 

[Gazdalf]

For those of you who think Landon has shone his best game... he hasn't... he is a goal scoring machine. I am waiting for a game where he scores a couple of quality goals to make the Everton supporters very very happy, even though they are tremendously pleased with him already.

Not many people are saying that mate.

He has just shone his best game "up to now".

I have no doubts there is more to come. His awareness is moderate, his postioning has room for improvement.

His close ball control and his turn of speed and direction are fantastic.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

No disrespect to the MLS but it has the same standard as the Championship. Landon will improve in the premiership and it will benefit the US National team.

I'd love for him to stay on- he looks like one of the family already. For all of you that still purr over Fernandes this guy has acheived more already than that guy did in his two stints.

Indeed, but there situations are completely different and alot of people wanted Fernandes for his potential alone. His stints here where interrupted by injury and lack of fitness, the same can't be said of Landon Donovan.