Comments on: Position paper: Landon Donovan http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/ Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:41:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Tom http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2903 Tom Sun, 11 Feb 2007 00:14:45 +0000 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2903 Using Zidane in the same sentence with Dempsey is the exact reason why the country now hates landon donovan. Too high of expectations and yes...Dempsey is good, but coming off the bench for Fulham doesn't even allow him to carry Zidane's jock. Agree with poster who uses idea of Donovan as a sub, although I disagree with the "super" part. He would undoubtedly just be a fast sub in the Prem., with a ton of pace that might be able to create running against tired defenders. Donovan has done everything (through his "comfort" speeches and disappearing acts on the field) short of actually saying, "Don't rely on me...I'm not that good". I think Bradley/whoever the coach is in a few years should take this advice and use him in a limited role, and absolutely not as the focal point of attack. Who should be the focal point is a whole different debate... Using Zidane in the same sentence with Dempsey is the exact reason why the country now hates landon donovan. Too high of expectations and yes…Dempsey is good, but coming off the bench for Fulham doesn’t even allow him to carry Zidane’s jock.

Agree with poster who uses idea of Donovan as a sub, although I disagree with the “super” part. He would undoubtedly just be a fast sub in the Prem., with a ton of pace that might be able to create running against tired defenders.

Donovan has done everything (through his “comfort” speeches and disappearing acts on the field) short of actually saying, “Don’t rely on me…I’m not that good”. I think Bradley/whoever the coach is in a few years should take this advice and use him in a limited role, and absolutely not as the focal point of attack. Who should be the focal point is a whole different debate…

]]> By: Greg http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2891 Greg Sat, 10 Feb 2007 21:01:05 +0000 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2891 Favorite Landon memory: Went to a KC Wiz game, and sat next to a guy who screamed at Landon to "GO BACK TO YOUR PRETTY PALACE, LANDON!!!" He yelled this about 89 times over the course of the game, whenever Lando touched the ball. His voice was pretty much shot by the end. He did score two goals in that game, though. (Landon, not the fan) Favorite Landon memory:

Went to a KC Wiz game, and sat next to a guy who screamed at Landon to “GO BACK TO YOUR PRETTY PALACE, LANDON!!!” He yelled this about 89 times over the course of the game, whenever Lando touched the ball. His voice was pretty much shot by the end.

He did score two goals in that game, though. (Landon, not the fan)

]]> By: Carly http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2847 Carly Sat, 10 Feb 2007 06:27:51 +0000 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2847 What? That's not how you spell my name! And I would prefer an explanation of the Goose. It keeps me up at night. Not only his wearing a National Team shirt but his insistence to rock the eighties hair for over a decade. It still hurts. What?

That’s not how you spell my name!

And I would prefer an explanation of the Goose.

It keeps me up at night. Not only his wearing a National Team shirt but his insistence to rock the eighties hair for over a decade. It still hurts.

]]> By: ian and nate and carlie http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2838 ian and nate and carlie Sat, 10 Feb 2007 03:07:30 +0000 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2838 Garth, I would love to hear your supreme wit discuss the player that I hope never represents our country in any way, shape, or form. He reminds me of Elverson Brown back in the day. Eddie Johnson. Garth,

I would love to hear your supreme wit discuss the player that I hope never represents our country in any way, shape, or form. He reminds me of Elverson Brown back in the day. Eddie Johnson.

]]> By: Frank http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2824 Frank Fri, 09 Feb 2007 22:35:55 +0000 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2824 on donovan, i think he's better off being a "super sub" (and i use super loosely); the kind of player you bring on after the 60th minute hoping that his pace can open up the game. i remember before the world cup landon referred to himself as a javier saviola-type player...landon wishes he had even a third of el conejo's talent. on donovan, i think he’s better off being a “super sub” (and i use super loosely); the kind of player you bring on after the 60th minute hoping that his pace can open up the game. i remember before the world cup landon referred to himself as a javier saviola-type player…landon wishes he had even a third of el conejo’s talent.

]]> By: Scott http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2819 Scott Fri, 09 Feb 2007 21:39:01 +0000 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2819 And, I'm sorry for the double, but Dempsey and Zidane don't even belong in the same sentance. Clint doesn't possess the same skills to make the ball his complete and utter bitch, nor is he a 'maestro'. Nor, will he ever develop into such a player. Not to say he couldn't grow to become one of the US's biggest threats, but any mention of Zidane is laughable at best. And, I’m sorry for the double, but Dempsey and Zidane don’t even belong in the same sentance. Clint doesn’t possess the same skills to make the ball his complete and utter bitch, nor is he a ‘maestro’. Nor, will he ever develop into such a player.

Not to say he couldn’t grow to become one of the US’s biggest threats, but any mention of Zidane is laughable at best.

]]> By: Scott http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2818 Scott Fri, 09 Feb 2007 21:35:57 +0000 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2818 While I agree that Landon is generally crap, a role-player and unworthy of being a focal point of the attack, I'm tired of people (not particularly here) slobbering back on Reyna's tip. The reality of the situation is that he wasn't anywhere near as effective the past couple years as he was in his prime (when he wasn't nursing his monthly injury). Although, skill-wise, he still may have been the one US player most respected by opponents, his past-due date was long ago and the debacle in Deutschland merely highlighted his inability to lift/inspire/rescue a squad whose deficiencies were exposed. I'm glad to see him go, as the US needed to move from its Claudio-dependency three years ago. The talent pool may be shallow, but clinging to a horse that needs to be shot isn't progress. While I agree that Landon is generally crap, a role-player and unworthy of being a focal point of the attack, I’m tired of people (not particularly here) slobbering back on Reyna’s tip.

The reality of the situation is that he wasn’t anywhere near as effective the past couple years as he was in his prime (when he wasn’t nursing his monthly injury). Although, skill-wise, he still may have been the one US player most respected by opponents, his past-due date was long ago and the debacle in Deutschland merely highlighted his inability to lift/inspire/rescue a squad whose deficiencies were exposed.

I’m glad to see him go, as the US needed to move from its Claudio-dependency three years ago. The talent pool may be shallow, but clinging to a horse that needs to be shot isn’t progress.

]]> By: efellyemmus http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2814 efellyemmus Fri, 09 Feb 2007 21:00:25 +0000 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2814 Dempsey is the man - he has Zidane-type abilities in terms of being an attacking MF with enough pace and on-bal skills to tak eon defenses, enough craftiness to maestro from the midfield, and can finish enough with both head and foot so as to be the ENTIRE engine of this team. Claudio was and forever will be serviceable, but his overcatiousness and lack of attacking instinct in the midfield cost the US the Italy match and Arena's long-lived love affair with him is what cost them significant progress on the Int'l scene. He is, in a word, obsolete for where the US should now reside int he int'l arena. Dempsey is the man - he has Zidane-type abilities in terms of being an attacking MF with enough pace and on-bal skills to tak eon defenses, enough craftiness to maestro from the midfield, and can finish enough with both head and foot so as to be the ENTIRE engine of this team. Claudio was and forever will be serviceable, but his overcatiousness and lack of attacking instinct in the midfield cost the US the Italy match and Arena’s long-lived love affair with him is what cost them significant progress on the Int’l scene. He is, in a word, obsolete for where the US should now reside int he int’l arena.

]]> By: Adam http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2807 Adam Fri, 09 Feb 2007 19:36:31 +0000 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2807 Pablo was captain, but sounds like mostly because it was a hometown game for him. I suspect that Jimmy Conrad will usually be the captain going forward. Pablo was captain, but sounds like mostly because it was a hometown game for him.

I suspect that Jimmy Conrad will usually be the captain going forward.

]]> By: RobinFiveWords http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2804 RobinFiveWords Fri, 09 Feb 2007 19:11:01 +0000 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2804 I just hope Donovan never wears the captain's armband again. I forgot to look during the game -- who was captain on Wednesday? I just hope Donovan never wears the captain’s armband again. I forgot to look during the game — who was captain on Wednesday?

]]> By: Dave http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2802 Dave Fri, 09 Feb 2007 18:58:38 +0000 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2802 Here's the thing: Landon Donovan is just a role player. He may be at the better end of that "role", but he's just not the guy you want to turn to for heroics. We just don't have anyone of that caliber YET. Chris Albright is miserable, but I don't know who else we put back there. R.I.P. Claudio... Here’s the thing: Landon Donovan is just a role player. He may be at the better end of that “role”, but he’s just not the guy you want to turn to for heroics. We just don’t have anyone of that caliber YET.

Chris Albright is miserable, but I don’t know who else we put back there.

R.I.P. Claudio…

]]> By: Nordy http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2799 Nordy Fri, 09 Feb 2007 18:35:47 +0000 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2799 Well put. As far as our RB options go, how about Michael Parkhurst? He's probably the most skilled defender in the MLS, but I fear his size will prevent him from supplanting any of our guys in the middle. It would be interesting to see if he could make the transition...it couldn't be any worse than our other non-Cherundolo options! Well put.

As far as our RB options go, how about Michael Parkhurst? He’s probably the most skilled defender in the MLS, but I fear his size will prevent him from supplanting any of our guys in the middle. It would be interesting to see if he could make the transition…it couldn’t be any worse than our other non-Cherundolo options!

]]> By: macarthur31 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2786 macarthur31 Fri, 09 Feb 2007 14:20:32 +0000 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2786 fair enough. can i make j-bornstein the next big thing? he could be, to use his words, "a roberto carlos type player" fair enough.

can i make j-bornstein the next big thing? he could be, to use his words, “a roberto carlos type player”

]]> By: grandeagle http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2783 grandeagle Fri, 09 Feb 2007 13:59:59 +0000 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2783 Give eddie a crack at play-maker....at least he can put his foot on it and pass a proper ball....and someone, please set up and coach this dismally organized group of marginally talented chronic under achievers...and the work rate is second class. Give eddie a crack at play-maker….at least he can put his foot on it and pass a proper ball….and someone, please set up and coach this dismally organized group of marginally talented chronic under achievers…and the work rate is second class.

]]> By: PBR http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2762 PBR Fri, 09 Feb 2007 04:33:54 +0000 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2762 I agree, Donovon is a leathal scorer, but he's not a playmaker. I think he's going to have a great year in MLS once Beckham gets here. But that begs the question, who's the engine? Dempsey? Mapp? It's not Mastroeni. I agree, Donovon is a leathal scorer, but he’s not a playmaker. I think he’s going to have a great year in MLS once Beckham gets here. But that begs the question, who’s the engine?

Dempsey? Mapp?

It’s not Mastroeni.

]]> By: Carlos http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2759 Carlos Fri, 09 Feb 2007 03:37:22 +0000 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2759 Donovan will always be a useless puss bag in my book. Does any other National Team put up with 150 pound, disappearing, douche bags whose club teams don't make the play-offs in a twelve team league? I will always and forever let my smashed 2006 World Cup dreams lie wholey in Donovans fairy shoes...for god's sake his actress wife weighs more than him. Donovan will always be a useless puss bag in my book.

Does any other National Team put up with 150 pound, disappearing, douche bags whose club teams don’t make the play-offs in a twelve team league?

I will always and forever let my smashed 2006 World Cup dreams lie wholey in Donovans fairy shoes…for god’s sake his actress wife weighs more than him.

]]> By: slhvmwa http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2755 slhvmwa Fri, 09 Feb 2007 02:31:14 +0000 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2755 Kind of a pussy? Kind of a pussy?

]]> By: LG http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2752 LG Fri, 09 Feb 2007 01:29:20 +0000 http://soccernista.com/2007/02/08/position-paper-landon-donovan/#comment-2752 Fair analysis, and frankly, how did we not see it earlier. The question then, who takes over as the next Claudio?? Do we have someone, if so I haven't seen it. As for Albright, I couldn't agree more. Why is this guy still on this team? Honestly, he's a terrible defender and nothing more than average (if that) going forward. Is it the hair - if so, I'm going to sport a pink mohawk and challenge for the right back spot for the Galaxy.... Fair analysis, and frankly, how did we not see it earlier. The question then, who takes over as the next Claudio?? Do we have someone, if so I haven’t seen it.

As for Albright, I couldn’t agree more. Why is this guy still on this team? Honestly, he’s a terrible defender and nothing more than average (if that) going forward. Is it the hair - if so, I’m going to sport a pink mohawk and challenge for the right back spot for the Galaxy….

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