So Landon Donovan won the Honda Player of the Year award. Apparently, this award goes to the best player on the U.S. Men's National Team, as voted on by more than 200 soccer journalists in this country.Here's my question: Did any of these soccer journalists actually watch the U.S. Men's National Team play?
Landon Donovan didn't score a goal in open play during in the CONCACAF Gold Cup this year. All four of his goals were penalty kicks. Clint Dempsey? Carlos Bocanegra? DaMarcus Beasley? They all scored in open play. That match-winning golazo that Benny Feilhaber scored in the final? Donovan was yelling at him not to shoot it.
As if that weren't enough, Donovan turned down a trip for Copa America. His country called on him, and he said no. He claimed he wanted to be there when Beckham arrived -- a feeble attempt to keep his alpha dog status in L.A.? -- and to help save his club. How's that working out for him? Well, he's only good for penalty kicks, and he choked on a million-dollar PK in the SuperLiga final against Pachuca. Oh, and unless MLS turns into Serie A and starts fixing a few games, the Galaxy are going to miss the MLS Cup Playoffs.
For whatever reason, though, Landon Donovan remains the face of American soccer. It's a face that never wants to leave the country and has a tendency to gag under pressure. No wonder so many Americans hate this sport.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. USA soccer needs a serious new look. LanDoh? He's done in my book unless he can get his head out of his ass. He should shave his head and grow a fu manchu. How can a guy who can't handle the Bundesliga (!) handle Bianca Kajlich?
Posted at 12:42AM on Oct 10th 2007 by naz
2. The whole thing about Donovan telling Feilhaber not to shoot explains a hell of a lot. My main beef with the way the US plays soccer is that we don't shoot enough. The more shots you put on goal, the more chances to screw up you give the keeper. Sure, we oughta try setting up plays in front of goal, but I think we have what has to be the worst case of Arsenal Syndrome ever recorded. And Donovan is by far the worst offender. I thought this was because of crappy coaching, but apparently it's Donovan's own attitude. Which worries me.
It'll be interesting to see how Donovan deals with Jozy "Shoot First, Ask Questions Later" Altidore when he gets the call-up...
Posted at 2:27AM on Oct 12th 2007 by Jeff