Donovan Heading Out? And Ronaldo In? (RONALDO?!?)

By: Laurie | November 13th, 2007

I haven’t given you any unsubstantiated Galaxy rumors in ages, have I? This is an untenable situation in need of immediate remedy.

Okay, this first part is not a rumor. It’s direct quotes from Alexi Lalas implying that Landon Donovan may well be on his way out the door. At least if Alexi has his way.

Last week we had the following quote: “Landon is in doubt because he hasn’t done everything the club has expected of him.” (”The Club” translating here, of course, to “I, Alexi Lalas.”)

But if that’s not enough to convince you, now we have this one:

“It’s not only San Jose that’s interested in him. There are other teams interested in Donovan. If he wants to leave, then we can talk. If our coach [Gullit] decides he should leave, then he definitely has to go. Here, no one is permanent.”

Given what Landon said recently about Alexi, is anybody surprised that he’s shooting back? What would surprise me would be if Landon is still here come April. (Technical MLS question: Can they just leave him unprotected in the expansion draft? That would be an easy way out for everybody, if a bit humiliating for Landon.)

As part of the above interview, Alexi was also asked about bringing in Ronaldo. (As Martha says, the fat one, not the pretty one. And if you feel compelled to point out that it was a glandular thing, I’ll just point out that you are snark-impaired and no fun at all.) Said Alexi:

“Ronaldo could come, just like other [foreign players]. We want to bring someone to the Galaxy that is of the same caliber as David Beckham.”

And by “Ronaldo,” he of course meant “Zidane,” right? Zinedine Zidane. Z.I.D.A.N.E. I mean, it’s easy to confuse them, because they’re so similar. Except for the fact that one is ~~heart-drop-into-your-boots-gorgeous~~ French and the other is ~~chubby~~ Brazilian.

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: Player News, Team News, Transfer Rumors

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CentralCoaster

I can't stand Ronaldo and I hope he goes to NY.
Martha

Has Lalas ever denies a rumor? He's so entranced by the attention that he'll agree that "______ could come" no matter who it is, or how impossible or undesirable.

(Also, RBNY are being connected with Ronaldo too right now.)
tower0surfer

Landon is the biggest name because he is the one who gets the press. This next w.c cycle will see Altidore and Adu take more of the press; especially if Landon misses games and thew others play better without him.
As for the Galaxy; get rid of Landon. Send him to San Jose with an expansion group. He even said that the last games have been better because the circus atmosphere is gone. Landon is a small time player with speed and little else. I hope that Ronaldo does not come, not do I want Zidane; Liewicke said it is not a retirement home. There is plenty of talent that can be found, Guullit stated that some Dutch players have contacted him. Let's get the Dutch system here, then maybe a few players from Barcelona will come over( just dreaming)!
paul

it's funny because I always talk about how much i hate landycakes and other people usually say, "oh that guy...yeah i hate him too." must be something about the way he looks because he's a hell of a fast player. just can't stand looking at him...the hubris doesn't help of course.
Laurie

JDJ, I don't think Landon is the most popular player among soccer aficionados, but among the general public I'd guess he's second, behind Beckham.
Ronny

Let me Think...YEA! In a country who knows little on the sport, LANDO is the one player that everyone knows. He is definitely the most successful and possibly the best the USA has ever produced, his stats do not lie, and at the age of 25. He may lack a few qualities but i think Gullit is just the guy to show LANDO how to explode his true potential.
Lane

From my understanding, the sources of those quotes from Lalas are from La Opinion - sort of an Enquirer type mag, so I don't put much merit in it.

But for Alexi to even begin to say LD hasn't done everything that's expected of him: yeah, he took them to the 2005 MLS cup, he's led the team in goals and assists for 3 years running (someone did a compilation and he has a goals/assists ratio per game of .833 - amazing); he was 2nd in assists in MLS this year with 13, just behind Ralston, who could feed Twellman and Noonan, and tied with Sacha Kljestan, who could feed Galindo and Razof, all while LD has Pavon, Buddle and Gordon; he was team MPV last year; he was Riot Squad Player of the Year this year (no small feat!) and was Humanitarian of the Year for the Galaxy this year....but he didnt' do enough for Alexi? I guess Landon didn't sell enough jerseys to make him happy - but he probably would have, IF THEY'D HAVE MADE DONOVAN JERSEYS! Seems they only make the 23 jersey anymore.

Alexi is a tool.

Oh, yeah and Gullit not wanting LD - sure, he's gonna look at the LA roster and decide of all the players who need to go, it's Donovan. Riiight.
JDJ

Is Landon really still the most popular soccer player in America?
Ronny

I agree with Misareaux, i am also a Laker fan, and have gone through this kind of crap already with the lost of Shaq and now the possible departure of the Best player in the NBA today, Kobe..It Sucks, i was a Galaxy fan before Beckham made it cool, since 96'. Lalas is trying to turn this team into a glamor show instead of a soccer Squad. So the most popular soccer team in America might get rid of the the most popular player in America..Ohh Lalas..how do you retain your job.
Misareaux

Being a Laker fan, all the drama comes with the territory. It's part of what makes them so easy to follow. I like that the Galaxy are getting all the Beckham exposure, but as a long time fan, all I see is the ongoing press attention continuing to feed Lalas' ego. This entire situation is a farce. I think AEG needs to come down on Lalas. They're running a real risk of alienating the fans that might still care about the Galaxy when the Beckham-mania is over, especially after some other teams sign big name DPs as well.
Melissa

This public back and forth between Donovan and Lalas is much more exciting than all those annoying popstars and actors who always talk about Britney to the tabloids.

I do think that Donovan can ask to be left unprotected. Yeah, we all know my opinion on the subject but I just think it's worth mentioning. He also has a no-trade clause in his contract. I think what Lalas is saying here is that he'd gladly trade or loan Donovan (but "Little Donny" has to agree to it) to an overseas club in exchange for one of their big-time players. Honestly, that is never going to happen but it makes for great press. Its right up there with "MLS is better than the Premiere League."
glen

Lalas has to go, plain and simple. His ego is running the show which translates into poor actions. Landon is a terrific player and we don't need Figo, Zidane or Ronaldo (all terrific players, but I think they're getting towards the end of their careers now, of-course Zidane is already retired) on this team.

If he thinks building the old Galatico team from Real Madrid is the answer, wrong- we need young blood to be with the team. They could sell more merchandise, maybe that's what they ultimately want!
Laurie

Diane, my absolute favorite moment from last year's World Cup was before the France-Brazil game, the little exchange of knowing smiles between Zidane and Ronaldo before the ball is played.

(And then Zidane proceeds to completely kick the butts of Ronny and Co. That was the best part of all.)
Diane

Yes, I did forgot to mention getting fired as one of the things Lalas should be doing with all the time he has on his hands to be offensive
Diane

Laurie, take a day off and steal a couple of old Real Madrid games from some dodgy site that does that kind of thing. Zidane and Ronaldo fun footy.

I'm just saying that so that I can shake any thoughts of A. Lalas from my mind. Twit again. And why is he still commenting on players, now that there's a manager-coach (with a brilliant assistant), doesn't he have some season tickets to go discount or something.
Ronny

The only one that has to go is LALAS! I cant believe he just said “Landon is in doubt because he hasn’t done everything the club has expected of him.”...LOL...Hey Red Head, He pretty much won you guys a title his first year here in 05' and had a BIG contribution in your little 7 game winning streak at the end of the season.. he was your highest goal scorer and is 2nd in the league in assist, and LALAS prefers and overweight donut eating forward over probably the fastest man in the MLS..! LOL..
Im sorry LALAS is a Joke..!