The Juxtaposition Of Landon Donovan
Bring up the name Landon Donovan and you’re more then likely to get one of two response. The first will be those who praise the player as the best soccer talent the United States has ever produced. The second would be those who criticize the player as being an European flop and never quite being able to lift the United States to that next level of world football.
During the weekend caught some of Los Angeles Galaxy 5-2 trashing of D.C United behind Donovan’s hat trick where the positives of his game were on full display. Good speed, great vision and can find the back of the net. While Donovan should be praised for that performance and for leading the league in goals. The Galaxy still sit at the bottom of the standings next to the expansion San Jose Earthquakes.
For all the good points about Donovan. Three time MLS champion and leading goal scorer in the history of United States national team. Who at still 26 has over 100 caps for his country. The negative points can easily over shadow them. Los Angeles Galaxy dreadful form the last two seasons. Missing a penalty kick against Pachuca that would of won Los Angeles the SuperLiga back in 2007. United States flame out in the last World Cup equally come to mind.
To prove his critics wrong Landon Donovan will face the fact that he will never get the respect he may deserve playing in the MLS. His critics well also point out that Donovan is playing well in a watered down league. To that end a move back to Europe may be what is best for his career.
The naysayers will make mention of his failed playing days at Bayer Leverkusen as an example of Donovan being over rated. It’s fair to say his European adventure wasn’t a success, he was also 19 at the time. Going from a country where football is far from king to a country where football rules all more than likely was an adjustment that Donovan wasn’t ready to handle.
Landon Donovan has dropped hints that he may be ready to give Europe another go. Rumors of a move to Bayern Munich have made the rounds in recent weeks. Mostly down to current Munich coach Jürgen Klinsmann connection with living in Los Angeles the past couple of years. Don’t believe that this is anything more than a pasting interest however. The upper management of Bayern Munich will have a hard time being convinced that a player who failed at Bayer Leverkusen is now right for the germen giants.
On the other hand a team like Aston Villa would be a perfect destination for the American. Martin O’Neill has a fair understanding of the American game as Aston Villa spent the 2007 training camp stateside. O’Neill has also scouted Maurice Edu before his move to Rangers and did in fact sign former Chivas USA goalie Brad Guzan this summer. With Aston Villa key midfield players in Ashley Young and James Milner being more wide players Donovan would be a perfect complement for Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew up front. Aston Villa also being owned by an American doesn’t hurt the fact I threw this theory out there.
Ultimately when I think about Donovan the phrase good but not good enough comes to mind. In his own right Donovan is a talented player who can feature on most European teams. Not good enough comes into play that when you are the face of United States soccer the expectations are that you are also one of the best in the world. Something that Donovan can not claim to be.