Comments on: Donovan Interview as the El Salvador vs. US Match Looms

By: Diane

Diane — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:44:17 +0000

Tommy, just wanted to clarify that I was sympathizing with Landon. It’s not easy to be the face of an unpopular sport, and he didn’t have it easy as a kid to begin with. He seems to have matured into the better side of his public persona as his game has taken off lately. Sure other guys may have handled themselves better (and most certainly worse) but I hate to condemn athletes because we never truly know what’s going on in their heads or live, and they’re pretty out there — no stunt doubles, retakes or editing.

By: Tommy Wong

Tommy Wong — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:56:23 +0000

Nicole, please stop making everything about me and focus on the blog. I’m not here for a war of words.

Diane’s comments reflect my thoughts completely. It is hard not to get an earfull of what Landon has to say because he is the face of U.S. soccer, which IN MY OPINION, is for the worse. U.S. soccer players have historically been tools (Wynalda, Lalas).

For good examples of how a professional should behave and interview please see Claudio Reyna/Brian McBride/Jozy Altidore. Not Landon Donovan.

By: Diane

Diane — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:08:46 +0000

I’ve always found Donovan’s demeanor a bit arrogant, but also suspected that that might surprise him and that it was down to mannerisms. So I’ve been on the fence there. My bigger problem was inconsistent form, something that he seems to have dealt with quite well recently. I found his demeanor in this interview to appear less smug — or whatever — than others. His face is on the label of a sport that is fairly disdained in this country, maybe he’s had his chin out a bit all these years. As long as he keeps up the good work on the pitch…looking forward to the game tonight.

By: Frank

Frank — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:02:13 +0000

Dana & Nicole – Thank you! You said everything in your posts I was thinking. Great posts!

By: Nicole

Nicole — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:35:25 +0000

There isn’t any snugness. Simple as that. He’s an honest interview.

The “me, me, me,” was Landon’s goal celebration vs. Brazil. Landon was asked about that…and he didn’t even remember doing it and said he meant nothing by it. His mind went kind of blank after he scored.

Personally…I think it was a subliminal message to Bianca. As I said before…not an amicable split between those two.

To the two guys who are posting here that obviously don’t like Landon…I repeat, then don’t watch his interviews and don’t read about him. It just creates misery for you…except of course, it doesn’t. Because you love to just post garbage about him. That’s what makes you happy. three words: get a life.**

If there’s an athlete out there I don’t like, I don’t waste my time reading that much about him or watching his interviews or videos. And especially I don’t waste my valuable time posting on message boards and blogs about him. LIfe’s too short. You need to enjoy it.

**feel free to roll your eyes, Tommy. Befits your 12-year-old behavior type.

By: dana

dana — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:42:59 +0000

Okay, Tommy and Chris, you don’t like Landon Donovan. I am really trying to understand your thinking. I still don’t see the “smugness” and ME!!!! ME!!!! ME!!! you are referring to. Where is it? What did he say after the confed cup? I only heard him praise the TEAM, not himself. What are you basing this on? Show me a quote, if you want to convince me … or is it not what he says, but the way he says it that makes you read things into it? I don’t see the elitism and pompousness you are referring to.
If you think LD is a “negative stereotype” who represents a positive, non-elitist player to you?

By: Tommy Wong

Tommy Wong — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:10:00 +0000

After scoring the goal in the confed cup. . . ME!!!! ME!!!! ME!!! I guess going onto the Galaxy blog and saying anything negative about Landon is going to garner some defending comments. I have to agree with Chris too on his smugness being transparant if you pay attention. I’ll admit he improved as a player, but now he has a certain bravado about him that just reeks of elitism. Also it was great of him to disappear during the Mexico game, but thats neither here nor there.

By: dana

dana — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 06:35:58 +0000

What about the interview makes you wince, Tommy?

Chris,
I understand small, and slight but, “… creepy, smug, cocky…..weird hair.” I didn’t find anything creepy, smug , or cocky about him. I thought he gave a great interview, He seemed thoughtful and sincere to me. I don’t care what his hair looks like. I didn’t know that Americans have a negative stereotype about soccer players. Which Americans are those?

By: chris alfierri

chris alfierri — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 06:34:50 +0000

There is no bias against him. He is the holier than thou, do no wrong, every word is gold – Derek Jeter of American soccer. His pompousness is pretty transparent if you pay attention.

By: Frank

Frank — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 01:56:02 +0000

A really nice article on the G’s from MLSnet.com…

http://la.galaxy.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20090904&content_id=6792960&vkey=news_lag&fext=.jsp&team=t106