He’s Poetry In Motion
By: jen | September 23rd, 2008
I’ve thought for months about how I would write a post lauding Landon Donovan. And I’ve come up with very little because, frankly, the guy leaves me speechless. I know there are other, better, players in the world today. There’s just something about Donovan though.
Back in the day when I played club in LA I played with a gal who left me speechless as well. I called her “Gumby Legs.” Her style of play was the most fluid I had ever seen. She was lithe and deceptively quick. She could keep the ball at her feet, through traffic, like it was tied to her shoelace. She had a 90% scoring average when one v. one with the keeper.
I, on the other hand, was the type of player who was quick, scrappy, opportunistic, and a bit of an enforcer.
I’ve always admired players like her — and when Donovan came onto the USMNT scene he bowled me over as well. Same qualities, just with a man’s speed, strength, attitude, and at an elite level. What a joy to watch!
Several years ago when the Galaxy announced that LD had been added to their roster, I cried. (I know, that’s such a wussy thing to do.) Then last year when they announced that Beckham would be joining the Galaxy my first thought was how well the two of them would work together.
I know he has his detractors, but Donovan at his best is a world class player. His touch, his speed, his fluidity, and his vision. He can see plays developing that haven’t occurred to most players. And that is why he is at his best when surrounded by other world class players.
As much as I want him to remain with the Galaxy, I can’t help hoping he will go to Bayern Munich and play for Juergen Klinsmann. I want to see him improve, flourish. I don’t see that happening in MLS. And Klinsmann won’t warm the bench with him either.
So who knows what is in LD’s future. What do you think? What do you want?
By the way, he has been named Player of the Week this week in MLS and is also up for Goal of the Week (you can vote here).
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Comments
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Only thing that I know is I most likely will have to buy a new jersey next year. =( I don’t want to see him go either but he has to do what he has to do. I’m excited for him but hate that our players have to leave the country to play in better leagues and am kind of worried that the MLS might somehow mess up a transfer for him.
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I thought he went to Europe a few years back and returned because he was not happy living there. I was under the impression that he is here because he doesn’t want to live any where but the US. Did I dream that?
I hope he doesn’t go. How will the MLS ever get better if all the best players keep leaving?
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He’s an anomaly to me, genius one game, where the heck is he the next. I really, really want him to stay at the Galaxy, I think that they are the best fit for him. I’m sure he could get a three year contract in Europe, and make way more money sitting on the bench. Sounds like a loose loose to me.
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I’m with you, Jen. Couldn’t have said it better. He leaves me breathless and speechless! And there is nothing like watching him play live.
I want him for the Galaxy and will be sad to see him go, but I want him to get the joy of experiencing playing at a higher level. He says he’s ready to go and wants to go. Bianca, in a radio interview, said she wants him to experience playing in Europe and that they’ll work out the logistics. So I truly believe he is gone.
Oh, and Limey…I totally disagree about the “where is the next [game].” If you truly watch the guy play, even if he isn’t scoring, he’s doing the other stuff that is expected of him and he’s working very hard: tracking back on defense (he’s very underrated on that), setting up others, off the ball runs (which often go unrewarded), drawing the attention of the defenders opening space for others. But because he’s not running the length of the field, folks say he’s “disappeared.” Other players are not held to the standard that Landon is held to by his critics.
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Oh, but Limey, I’m not trying to pick a fight or anything. I understand you’re entitled to your opinion and it’s all cool. I just happen to disagree and I’ve given my reasons, and you’ll probably still disagree with me. but as I said, it’s cool.
(After I read my first post, I thought it sounded kind of harsh. And didn’t want Limey to get the wrong idea because I didn’t mean it to be.)
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No hurt feelings here Nicole.
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I’m sad that he’ll probably be leaving, but at the same time, I’m really excited to see him play for a great team in Europe and I hope he does well.
Hopefully MLS will be able to negotiate for a large transfer sum, and LA will be able to recover some (but not all) of the post-Donovan loss.
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Landon is one of the most “gifted” American born players in our current MLS league. Again, I said “one of the most (not the only one)”. He has speed; He has awareness; He has agility; and, he’s a good crosser and passer. Now, Landon has tremendously benefitted now - because our LA Galaxy has great passers and crossers (ie: David, Eddie, Chris, and at times Pete). These four individuals also have a part in his standings and success this season. If Landon does go abroad… Sure, it will be a loss for our LA Galaxy - in the sense that our key-cog in our very potent offense would be gone. But, I chose to look at the other side of this “rumored” coin. It will clear up much needed salary cap space - so that our LA Galaxy can finally get two very good defenders and two pacy, speedy, slippery forwards similar to Edson. In the long run, I think this will be a big boost for the standings & trophy case for our LA Galaxy. If Landon is serious about going abroad, he has to do it now; he cannot wait. However, I do believe he is much more mature and careful now… so, he will only go if he has clear, spelled out playing time & other advantages. I really want the playing quality and expectation for our LA Galaxcy to the same level of Houston Dynamo & New England Revs. Because if it ain’t… then, we’re all going to “standing way in the back while others cut in ahead of us”.
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If Landon Donovan goes to Europe…Michael Owen will be coming to LA.
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No, DAVE… Please tell me you’re joking. You’re yanking our chains, right? Michael Owen would seriously require another DP slot. But, why? Why go the expensive, more wasteful route? Nevermind - this is why I will never be a good businessman… I don’t like to be wasteful and garnish a team w/ extravagance. Why can’t we adopt teh “near” model of San Jose or Houston. Wouldn’t that be more winning football/soccer?
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Much as I will miss him Landycakes should go and go now. He is finally mature enough to play in Europe and has said he would like to go. But in a couple of years he may be too old for it. And while a move now will hurt the Galaxy, it will be a benefit to the national team, which is more important. I think this will happen.
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Michael Owen!!!?? I love him like a son who left home (LFC) too soon, but away from my protective gaze, he has been injured as often as not. True, he scores almost every time he’s healthy enough to get a few minutes on the pitch, and is exquisite poetry when capable of motion. A larger club would benefit if they have the depth, but no MLS team does.
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…a larger club that has the depth AND money I should have said.
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if he should go, I’m sure it will take a nice size transfer fee to make it happen, but we don’t want him on a team where he’ll be a second half sub in the 70th minute. not good to see one of the best US players being a bench warmer, but if he did get the play time I’m sure it will benefit the national team to an extent. I have always believed our national team doesn’t get enough play time together and no matter how good an individual is having chemistry together is so important!
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What about Thierry Henry?
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Antonio es un niño mexicano de 11 años que se encuentra hospitalizado desde hace 7 meses en el Texas Children´s Hospital de Houston.
Tiene cáncer y está paralizado de sus extremidades por la compresión de la médula espinal.
Antonio quiere conocer a David Beckham. El próximo 18 de octubre el Galaxy irá a jugar a Houston contra el Dynamo. Sería posible concederle ese deseo a nuestro hijo?
Por favor pasen este link a Beckham http://www.antoniomisionayudar.com
El comprenderá que hará un gran favor a quien promueve un mundo mejor desde su cama de hospital y estimulará a que más gente promueva ese mensaje de amor.
Gracias.Posted from
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Antonio, unfortunately we have no real-life connection to David Beckham on this blog. I would suggest you contact the real LA Galaxy site — http://web.mlsnet.com/t106/load.jsp?section=about&content=contact
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