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Donovan has already been over in Germany before and did nothing. Let' see if he can finally make that big step up to the big boys

I still think a team like Liverpool would've taken him, and he's better than both their right outside midfielder and their center attacking midfielder... oh well, he's dead set on Germany, maybe trying to prove his doubters wrong or ge the monkey off his back -- guess we'll see...

Isn't Gerard liverpool's attacking mid this year? LD is good but not better than Gerard.

Anyhow, i wish LD all the luck in the world, I hope he doesn't turn up being like Real Madrid's Saviola who is a good player but can't get a whiff of playing time.

I hope he not only plays well, but proves everyone otherwise that has talked all the trash about how he was in the Bundesliga before and couldn't hack it. This will hopefully help out the men's national team as well, maybe he can bring some of the knowledge and experience he gets to the training grounds.

jmg84- LD has brought the talk onto himself.... two failed stints in germany.... just imagine how good he'd be if he stayed in germany despite not getting the PT at first.... by coming back home, he truly stunted his growth...

but im sure landycakes will be back in the MLS, at least until the summer transfer..... Bayern will probably take a look, then finish the year and see it they are interested... b/c picking LD up prior to the season will cost them more then if they wait till summer

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 07:58 AM ET  11.21 by BuffaloTF

Liverpool would've taken him, and he's better than both their right outside midfielder and their center attacking midfielder...

What?!? Better than Gerrard? Better than Alonso? Better than Kuyt? (All right, he's played up top a lot this year.) LD's talented, no doubt; and I truly hope he does very well overseas. But let's be realistic here.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 08:47 AM ET  11.21 by kopper

What?!? Better than Gerrard? Better than Alonso? Better than Kuyt? (All right, he's played up top a lot this year.) LD's talented, no doubt; and I truly hope he does very well overseas. But let's be realistic here.

its not like liverpool's a big team or anything :-/

I think the most important indicator in the first few games will be minutes played. If Klinsy brings him on in the 80th minute in a few games against creampuffs then this is a waste of everyone's time.

I certainly don't see him breaking into the team right away. This is a team that is 3 pts shy of the top spot. They really are not short of options in the midfield or up front and even some of their young talent, guys like Toni Kroos, are beginning to bloom. Why would you introduce someone new just as the team seems to be coming together? This should give Podolski the incentive to produce more, but I don't see Donovan getting anymore than some garbage minutes in games that are under control.

I think one of the most important indicators to watch early on is minutes played. If Klinsy only brings him on in the 75th minute of games that are already wrapped up, then this is a waste of everyone???s time.

It???s not like he is needed either. This is a team that is three points off the lead and with plenty of options in the midfield and upfront. They also have some young guys like Toni Kroos that are starting to bloom. Why would you do anything to shake up a team just as they seem to be coming together?

Maybe this is a ploy to try to get more out of Podolski? Maybe this is Klinsmann???s way of ingratiating himself with US Soccer in case that job opens up some day? I don???t know. However, if he is over there for three months just to get some garbage minutes then this doesn???t really seem like a big win for anyone. Inviting a guy over to train with a side like Bayern is an honor and a sign of respect to US Soccer though.

He is better than Messi but Barca doesnt need 2 players with the same style that's why the passed ...and yes he is better than the current Liverpool and Arsenal midfielders...will be an upgrade if they should have gone for Donovan Bailey.

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 09:43 AM ET  11.21 by Epitome of Poise

He is better than Messi but Barca doesnt need 2 players with the same style that's why the passed ...and yes he is better than the current Liverpool and Arsenal midfielders...will be an upgrade if they should have gone for Donovan Bailey.

huh??? Unless this is sarcasm, someone please tip off DEA to what appears to be the world's largest crack ring being run out of Fairfax, VA. Remember I is the man, "don't get high off your own supply"

"landy cakes" - I see there are some fellow World Soccer Daily listeners here!

I like the move...hopefully it works out. More and more USMNT players getting big time club experience will only help the team in the World Cup...2010 and/or beyond.
Hopefully, all that experience will remove some of the mentality of trying to only get 4 points in group play and hope other results go in our favor.

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 09:43 AM ET  11.21 by Epitome of Poise

He is better than Messi but Barca doesnt need 2 players with the same style that's why the passed ...and yes he is better than the current Liverpool and Arsenal midfielders...will be an upgrade if they should have gone for Donovan Bailey.

Whoa. Better than Messi? No way in hell. Nor is he better than Gerrard and Alonso. He would fit in well in Liverpool's midfield, he is a great player, but let's not get crazy.

Better than Messi...now that is rich!

Ok - he is a third class rated player. He is not good at all - I don't know what Bayer is thinking. THERE , does that makes everyone happy? Why can an AMERICAN soccer player succeed without being put down by it's own people..... geeesh! gosh!
He should play for the ASL -- is that ok with everyone here?

I kind of like the fact that this is a short term deal. Let him see if he can do it.

Gaucho: Even if Landycakes only comes in in the 80th or 75th minute (which one did u mean?) I do not believe that it would be a waste of time.

What else would he be doing? It's offseason in America, and rather than sitting on his bum, he would at the very least be training with one of the best clubs in the world and potentially getting some exposure and experience just from that. Anything else would be icing on the cake. I do not think it is realistice to think LD will have a significant role with Bayern other than off the bench, because it just won't happen. I know Bojan is considerably younger, but he is a guy who comes in at the 75th minute. Is that also just a big waste of time? You are usually right on the money on everything - more than anyone else - but here I think you are rather incorrect. I accept your apologies.

zizou- landycakes has been around for some time.... not to mention thrown around so frequently in bigsoccer....

In regards to Comment #15...I'll tell you what:

Here's why most American fans are critical of Landon...
The 2006 World Cup match against Ghana (for the record, I was in the darn stadium and cannot make this up)...I watched him, watched him disappear. This was supposedly our best player. He was gun-shy...tentative, wouldn't shoot when he had great, GREAT looks at the goal. He didn't lead when we needed him most (when Reyna went down injured).

We have been told for the last 6 years how great Landon is. And on the international stage time and time again he would play excellent football in friendlies but come important matches would disappear. That is all - we are critical because we want our best to truly be our best.
This move to Bayern Munchen - everyone, including the more critical fan, is viewing it with open minds. Landon has shown how mature he has become - probably because of Beckham.

Also - you obviously have only started reading the T&Rs regarding Landon because a lot of the bashers have changed their views a little because of the maturity Landon has shown this season.

QUOTE(#19):

Originally posted 11:33 AM ET  11.21 by Zizou10

In regards to Comment #15...I'll tell you what:Here's why most American fans are critical of Landon...The 2006 World Cup match against Ghana (for the record, I was in the darn stadium and cannot make this up)...I watched him, watched him disappear. This was supposedly our best player. He was gun-shy...tentative, wouldn't shoot when he had great, GREAT looks at the goal. He didn't lead when we needed him most (when Reyna went down injured).We have been told for the last 6 years how great Landon is. And on the international stage time and time again he would play excellent football in friendlies but come important matches would disappear. That is all - we are critical because we want our best to truly be our best.This move to Bayern Munchen - everyone, including the more critical fan, is viewing it with open minds. Landon has shown how mature he has become - probably because of Beckham.Also - you obviously have only started reading the T&Rs regarding Landon because a lot of the bashers have changed their views a little because of the maturity Landon has shown this season.

Zizou's last comment nails it for me--all the issues here. I've bashed him and remain skeptical, although not as much as I have been in the past, for the reasons cited. But I really want him to make it--for his own sake, for US soccer's sake, etc.

Landon has accepted responsibility for it not working the last two tries and says he wasn't ready. He says he has matured and is now ready for the challenge. We'll see if he's right. In some ways it really is that simple.