The Soccer Thread (Version 7.0)

Dempsey still can fall into the tendency to disappear for 89 minutes, with one moment of near-brilliance that makes us say "Wow, Dempsey sure is good!"

This team is desperate to have Donovan back. The most indispensible player going forward is Bradley. But Donovan at 80 percent commitment is better than any playmaker we have at 110 percent. He is absolutely essential to us, along with Bradley and Dempsey. We have not produced a new generation of dangerous attackers. We have to ride Donovan and Dempsey until they can no longer compete.

 

Agreed with all of that.

I think the key is, he just doesn't care about the game as much as everyone else seems to think he should. I can't imagine being largely indifferent to the opportunity to play at the top levels in Europe and in the big national team games, but it just doesn't mean that much to him. That's fair -- it's his life -- but it's kind of mystifying to most of us, I think. I suspect he'll eventually regret the opportunities missed, but maybe not.

I get the temptation to completely write him off, but this team can't afford that.

 

NY Times Soccer Blog:Orlando City SC wants in on MLS… Sounds good to me.

I disagree. He’s a regular starter, when healthy for a team that currently ranks 4th in the league. When he was with a mid-table team, Fulham, he lead the team in goals.

Donovan might be more skilled, but I’ve not seen it yet. He’s got some speed and a good touch. But he’s just unnecessary at this point.

Dempsey has disappeared, in years past, during games which he didn’t care about, Guatemala, Honduras, etc. That’s a laziness or attitude issue. Donovan disappears from games because he’s a coward that can’t handle situations so he shirks from them.

I’d rather take a guy like Brek Shea, who isn’t the greatest, but will certainly try his hardest and even dig a little deeper for something that isn’t there when things get hard than a guy that will just up and quit like Donovan has.

I think getting a scoreless draw in the Azteca means that you pretty much can write him off.

 

Pastor, you're on an island with this. Population: You, and dudes at Big Soccer.

It's not 2006 anymore, when Donovan's leadership going forward was being questioned. He is the U.S.' best player. And I don't see how you could assign different reasons for disappearing to he and Dempsey, unless you know them both or at the very least have interviewed (or even conversed with) them face-to-face.

Dempsey's performance with Tottenham, and Donovan's performance with the Galaxy, are both top-notch. Their national careers have been spotty at times, at other times spectacular. Dempsey is a very good goal-scorer. Landon Donovan is the greatest player the U.S. has produced.

And there is no one in their early 20s who brings what either of them do. We must have them both, for one more cycle.

Anyway, Jonah Freedman weighs in on the recent controversy. He leaves out a key detail in this story, and it lessens his point.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/03/28/throw-power-press-can-advance-usa-footballing-nation

 

While I think Graham Zusi is a capable midfielder for the USMNT, he is nowhere near the class of Landon Donovan. Few players in this country are. I do understand Pastor's frustration though, and I do think Klinsmann won't beg Donovan to play for the national team. Donovan will have to earn it back, as he should. But if Donovan does return to the USMNT, the team will be better for it.

 

Landon speaks.

http://www.lagalaxy.com/blog/beat/2013/03/28/donovan-talks-about-his-absence-and-reception-he-received

 

I didn't realize that Landon spent his sabbatical hanging with Royce White.

 

So, reading between the lines, his ex getting married screwed up his head?

 

Think Landon Donovan's accomplishments for club and country earned him a few months to get his head straight. Better that than a retirement.

 

That relationship with Bianca has been a drag on him for years. She did him no favors by keeping him close after the divorce.

 

Few months? His head is straight for that span and then he's just not sure anymore. It's a shame it should be acceptable just because we're talking U.S. soccer.

 

Yes, we should demand more from athletes, 'cause they owe it to us and stuff.