Eyeing Europe move, Donovan likely done with MLS

2008-09-23T18:19:38-04:00

<div class="photo_container image_right"> <div class="photo"><img title="Landon Donovan" src="http://i.cnn.net/si/fannation/dono-galaxy.jpg" alt="Landon Donovan" width="298" height="403" /></div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align: right;">With 19 goals in 20 games, Donovan is having a career year</div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align: right;">Rick Yeatts/Getty Images<br /></div> </div> <p>In a year the Los Angeles Galaxy may find forgettable, the one consistently bright point has been <strong>Landon Donovan</strong>. The U.S. national team star has been on a tear during the 2008 season -- his hat trick against D.C. United on Saturday brings his league-leading scoring total to 19 goals through 20 games, by far his career best in Major League Soccer.</p> <p>Enjoy it while you can, because I’d be shocked if Donovan is still in the league next year.</p> <p>Lando has made no secret of his desire to get another crack at Europe’s big leagues, and has dropped hints all season that he’s itching for a second chance. (He has often said he wouldn’t mind playing in the English Premier League or Spain’s La Liga.)</p> <p>But with the rumor mill in high gear, I truly believe that the latest whisper out there -- that Donovan could end up at German superclub Bayern Munich (originally reported by <em>The Washington Post</em>’s <strong>Steven Goff</strong>) -- is extremely realistic and there’s a good chance it could go down.</p> <p>American players demand plenty of interest from European teams, but it’s rare for any of them to get any sort of sniff from one of the elite clubs. Donovan is simply the all-time leading scorer on the U.S. national team, and he’s helped his own cause further with his scintillating play this season. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that more European fans know it, thanks to his being the best player on a team featuring <strong>David Beckham</strong>.</p> <p>Lando has another influential name in his cormer: new Bayern manager <strong>Jürgen Klinsmann</strong>, an unorthodox soccer mind to begin with who isn’t afraid to shake things up. More important, the former German national team coach was also once an advisor to the Galaxy, is a big proponent of American soccer and knows Donovan’s game well. If ever there were a perfect storm for America’s biggest star to end up at one of the world’s biggest clubs, this is it.</p> <p>"I would love for it to happen," Donovan told ESPN’s <strong>Andrea Canales</strong>. "It's up to the league, it's up to the Galaxy and it's up to me. I feel like I have a good relationship with all those parties, and if it were to happen, I think that would be great."</p> <p>And how sweet would that be? Obviously it’d be great to see Donovan get a shot with the four-time European champions and compete for playing time with the likes of international stars <strong>Luca Toni</strong>,<strong> Miroslav Klose</strong> and <strong>Lukas Podolski</strong>. But for Lando, it would also be the ultimate second chance. His spell with Bayern’s German rival Bayer Leverkusen is viewed as a failure, not least of all by Donovan himself, who says he wasn’t mentally mature enough for the demands of top-level soccer.</p> <p>Now, everything’s different. At 26, Donovan is in the prime of his career. He is the mature leader of the Galaxy, the domestic face of MLS and perhaps the most talented American soccer player there is, period. He’s itching for his second chance, and he’s got someone with serious clout across the pond who can vouch for him. For Lando, it could soon be <em>auf wiedesehen</em> to MLS.</p> Eyeing Europe move, Donovan likely done with MLS

2008-09-22T14:27:06-04:00

2008-09-22T14:33:06-04:00

2008-09-23T14:04:39-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/479/868/thumb/Luca_Brasi.jpg 386

LucaBrasi

480308

29 La Liga would be the best fit if he decides to go. His pace fits well in EPL, but I've watched every Galaxy game this year and he does have a tendency to get manhandled by stronger players and disappear. La Liga play allows for more open space which is what LD needs to succeed. I have been critical of LD, and I do still believe he has limitations, but I think he's earned the right to give it another run overseas. He's paid his dues after coming back with his tail between his legs by working hard and putting up some good results in both MLS and with USMNT DESPITE the way Bradley coaches and the starting XI that he puts out there with LD. Hope it works out for him. 2830622

2008-09-23T18:19:38-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/479/868/thumb/Luca_Brasi.jpg 386

LucaBrasi

480308

34 Here's my take on LD heading to a "smaller" club or league. When you talk smaller league, you're also talking about worse overall talent. There's more chance of him going to one of these leagues and getting mauled where the both the salary levels and talent levels result in a league full of pub players. Ok, so if he goes to a bigger team or league he's not going to get the PT initially. Fine, if he's serious about the move, he has to be ready spend a year working his way up the order. He's 26, not 36. The expectation doesn't need to be that he walks in to the starting XI and plays 90 each week. Put him with skilled players and he'll be fine. By the way, for all of his struggles in Germany, sometimes players just don't fit well in certain circumstances. SWP couldn't get it done at Chelsea, put him back at Man City and he's playing well. Sheva was a bomb at Chelsea too. Time will tell whether he's got anything left in the tank, but he's certainly not terrible. Gilardino reborn in Fiorentino after the last couple of years @ Milan, etc; Not saying he's at the level of any of these guys, but if it can happen to them... 2833824

2008-09-23T10:29:28-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/534/229/thumb/th_FreddyAdu.png 8 FL

Kenny In Miami

Miami 534669

Still have no idea why this would go through, other than Klinsmann wanting to add an American to the roster for no reason. Donovan is not going to be getting much playing time at Bayern and Bayern don't really need a player of his quality. He's not bad, just not good enough. If Klinsmann really does want Donovan, it sickens me. He could easily be playing Podolski in the midfield instead of letting him rot on the bench and instead he'd bring in another midfield benchwarmer. With Donovan's history in the Bundesliga, he'd probably quit on Bayern halfway through the first practice session.

26 The man has experience, has gone to the Euro Cup and World Cup, currently coaching one the strongest european team at this moment. I think he has enough credentials and experience to know when to say that a certain player is good enough for his team. Unless YOU can show me those same credentials, then you can opinionate but not establish a "real" critique of LD. 2827499

2008-09-23T17:34:18-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/423/970/thumb/l35ebdd4b0000_1_25404.jpg 834 DC

Bayern4Life (redux)

Washington 424410

The man has experience, has gone to the Euro Cup and World Cup, currently coaching one the strongest european team at this moment. I think he has enough credentials and experience to know when to say that a certain player is good enough for his team. Unless YOU can show me those same credentials, then you can opinionate but not establish a "real" critique of LD.

33 Yeah, Kenny, you showed me, although by your poor language usage, I'm not really sure what you were trying to prove about Klinsmann's qualifications as a coach. He has never led a team to the Euro's as manager. The only coaching experience he has was from the 2006 World Cup squad. Klinsmann was a great player, but I'm not sure that makes him a great coach, especially the way he's managed Bayern so far this season. Also, on a side note, although my opinions are clearly my opinions, the Bayern Munich board of directors agree with me since they have resisted Klinsmann's desire to bring in Donovan. I should also point out that I've participated in the last 4 Bayern Munich presidential elections, casting my ballot as a member of the club for Franz Beckenbauer every time. What's your qualification to comment on anything? Played pee-wee soccer a couple of years or might have even seen a couple of games on Gol TV. Give me a break. 2833374

2008-09-23T10:48:51-04:00

cfowen

Chicago 5460

27 Donovan is not good enough to have a regular, meaningful role in either the EPL, La Liga, or the Bundesliga. No way, no how. He doesn't have the physique necessary to play in the demanding EPL. He doesn't have the technical skill for the Liga. And finally, I don't believe he has the tactical discipline to play in the Bundesliga (much less for a top side such as Bayern Muncih). He should be looking at playing in Holland, France, Portugal, etc. Donovan is a fine player and certainly shines in the MLS but, let's be perfectly honest, it's similar to a AA baseball player being hailed as the next great major league ball player. Sorry folks, the MLS is still eons behind European clubs. Hell, direct competition tells us that they're still behind Mexican and Central American clubs (God forbid the Copa Libertadores invites MLS clubs--that will be a rude awakening). Let him go across the pond and get a taste for a lesser European league (i.e. Holland, Portugal, France, etc.). He's a good player. But he's not great. You don't jump from a bottom-of-the-table MLS team to Bayern Munich overnight. Good luck to him. 2827805

2008-09-23T14:58:45-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/143/79/thumb/VJ.jpg 657 MN

Lazymike97

Saint Paul 14382

Donovan is not good enough to have a regular, meaningful role in either the EPL, La Liga, or the Bundesliga. No way, no how. He doesn't have the physique necessary to play in the demanding EPL. He doesn't have the technical skill for the Liga. And finally, I don't believe he has the tactical discipline to play in the Bundesliga (much less for a top side such as Bayern Muncih). He should be looking at playing in Holland, France, Portugal, etc. Donovan is a fine player and certainly shines in the MLS but, let's be perfectly honest, it's similar to a AA baseball player being hailed as the next great major league ball player. Sorry folks, the MLS is still eons behind European clubs. Hell, direct competition tells us that they're still behind Mexican and Central American clubs (God forbid the Copa Libertadores invites MLS clubs--that will be a rude awakening). Let him go across the pond and get a taste for a lesser European league (i.e. Holland, Portugal, France, etc.). He's a good player. But he's not great. You don't jump from a bottom-of-the-table MLS team to Bayern Munich overnight. Good luck to him.

32 Does Robinho have the physique for the EPL, how about SWP? If your quick enough, which I believe Landon is, you can avoid some of that physical play. 2831415

2008-09-22T23:22:41-04:00

adama

Knoxville 6523

15 LD is a terrible player. Not only is he short and not physical but he doesn't have any speed. He is one of the slowest short players i have seen. He just lacks talent. He cannot even dominate the mls. The US would be better served getting rid of slow short landon, Tall slow no technique Mcbride, and on top of all overated freddie Adu. Freddie Adu could not play in a varsity team in ghana. There is about 100000 kids in africa 10 times better than freddie Adu, but here he is a superstar. go figure !!!!! 2824003

2008-09-23T14:52:44-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/534/229/thumb/th_FreddyAdu.png 8 FL

Kenny In Miami

Miami 534669

LD is a terrible player. Not only is he short and not physical but he doesn't have any speed. He is one of the slowest short players i have seen. He just lacks talent. He cannot even dominate the mls. The US would be better served getting rid of slow short landon, Tall slow no technique Mcbride, and on top of all overated freddie Adu. Freddie Adu could not play in a varsity team in ghana. There is about 100000 kids in africa 10 times better than freddie Adu, but here he is a superstar. go figure !!!!!

31 When was the last time an African team has one anything major (club-wise)? 2831312

2008-09-23T10:48:51-04:00

cfowen

Chicago 5460

2008-09-23T14:48:25-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/534/229/thumb/th_FreddyAdu.png 8 FL

Kenny In Miami

Miami 534669

30 You can't judge a player by the status of a league, Clint Dempsey is a little less of a player than LD and has come out on top in Fulham! LD has the skill, ability, and mentality to do more than fine in the EPL or in LA LIGA, i mean LOOK AT Jozy Altidore! he scored 3 goals his debut game at villareal. Jozy's not even half the player LD is. So you can only imagine the possibilities of him in a higher more competitive league! 2831267

2008-09-23T14:04:39-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/479/868/thumb/Luca_Brasi.jpg 386

LucaBrasi

480308

2008-09-23T13:10:50-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/434/191/thumb/Balotelli_has_brass.jpg 869 GA

CUtigerssoccer

Marietta 434631

28 la liga would be a good fit. i don't see any room for anybody at Bayern Munich, even if Klinsmann wants him.. im not saying send him to Real madrid or Barca, but sevilla, villareal type teams could be a good fit...maybe atletico...maybe..the EPL is a bit harder to see. he wont make the big four, and most of the other top ten seem pretty well set. though if Hull keeps up their play, a guy like LD could keep them in the mix for sure...and i hear Man city found a bunch of money the other day, im sure they wont mind throwing it around. just whatever you do Lando...STAY AWAY FROM NEWCASTLE 2829791

2008-09-23T10:48:51-04:00

cfowen

Chicago 5460

2008-09-22T14:59:46-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/423/970/thumb/l35ebdd4b0000_1_25404.jpg 834 DC

Bayern4Life (redux)

Washington 424410

5 Still have no idea why this would go through, other than Klinsmann wanting to add an American to the roster for no reason. Donovan is not going to be getting much playing time at Bayern and Bayern don't really need a player of his quality. He's not bad, just not good enough. If Klinsmann really does want Donovan, it sickens me. He could easily be playing Podolski in the midfield instead of letting him rot on the bench and instead he'd bring in another midfield benchwarmer. With Donovan's history in the Bundesliga, he'd probably quit on Bayern halfway through the first practice session. 2819738

2008-09-23T10:29:28-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/534/229/thumb/th_FreddyAdu.png 8 FL

Kenny In Miami

Miami 534669

2008-09-22T17:57:49-04:00

AF15

Costa Mesa 557860

10 Author makes no effort to explain WHY Donovan has been scoring so many goals this year. Some have been nice goals, but most of them are a direct result of the Galaxy's desparate long-ball strategy. They got guys like Klein and Beckham, who simply blast the ball downfield so Donovan can race to it and poke it in. He'll never be able to create his own shots in Europe, and he won't be poaching even half as many goals with experienced defenders marking him. We need to get over the counter-productive Donovan hype and start embracing some of our younger guys, so we can elevate the American game. 2821753

2008-09-23T10:06:21-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/534/229/thumb/th_FreddyAdu.png 8 FL

Kenny In Miami

Miami 534669

Author makes no effort to explain WHY Donovan has been scoring so many goals this year. Some have been nice goals, but most of them are a direct result of the Galaxy's desparate long-ball strategy. They got guys like Klein and Beckham, who simply blast the ball downfield so Donovan can race to it and poke it in. He'll never be able to create his own shots in Europe, and he won't be poaching even half as many goals with experienced defenders marking him. We need to get over the counter-productive Donovan hype and start embracing some of our younger guys, so we can elevate the American game.

25 You may think so, but check also all his goals internationally, there's no one in the USMNT that crosses anywhere near to Beckham's finesse in crossing. Donovan GOES at defenders and gets through defense if there's anything he's guilty of is his unselfishness, sometimes he should shoot but passess instead, LD will shine in wherever he goes I can guarantee it. 2827187

Jonah Freedman

San Francisco 4618