by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
Landon Donovan is having himself quite the time at Bayern Munich. Just two days after enjoying his debut with FC Hollywood, the U.S. National Team all-time leading goal scorer accomplished another feat. He scored for the German giants.
Donovan, who replaced Luca Toni at half-time, trapped the ball in the 91st minute before turning and burying i
t to the bottom left corner. The goal (at 5:14 of the clip) put the nail in the coffin for Jurgen Klinsmann's side as they prevailed 3-1 against Saudia Arabian side Al-Wehda.
Though the goal happened in a friendly, as opposed to aregular season fixture or Champions League clash, the 26-year-old can take his well-taken shot as a confidence booster heading into next week's Bundesliga action.
Donovan and Bayern Munich take on Hamburg SV on January 30.
What do you think of Donovan's goal? Has Donovan assured himself of a starting spot in next week's match against Hamburg with his two performances? If he does start, which forward will sit?
Share your thoughts below.
Vu – But if we can hang with the likes of Poland and Sweden on European soil, we should be able to overcome Germany, England and Italy as well. It’s mental, in my opinion. I saw the Nats play ENgland in Wembley last May with our A team vs the England A Team and we played with them, but England just sucked. In Germany 06, we played one man down against Italy and should have won that game, we outplayed them.
vu, I agree our (American) possession has loooong been suspect. I think I have seen more effort in playing possession, and slightly more skill at doing so than in years past. However, there is still a mentality problem that is far and away a bigger issue. In some games, we just roll over. But there have been notable times that we have risen to the occasion, and our drive carried our skills along.
Bluewhitelion and der kaiser, when I said American I don’t mean as national stereotype, but as skill level. Although I am a big fan of landon, many would agree that he is not considered as talented as poldi or olic. The market value for them speaks for itself. Landon is a lot cheaper than the other two. I personally do not believe landon is cheaper because he is so much inferior in skills but more because he is american. Also, playing too long in MLS discounts the price too. If all this time he was playing in a small club in the premier league, his price would be different.
I agree with you about Ramos. He was good. Every good team needs a good playmaker. When Ramos and reyna get the ball in the middle of the field, they both scan the entire field calmly before distributing, M. Bradley does not have that calm so he often pass back or make short passes to someone nearby. This lack of vision and playmaking is the reason why most recent goals are from set pieces.
We don’t play well in Europe because Europeans are just too good and too strong and fast. To play against top competition, the US should focus on defense and fast counter. We don’t do well with possesion so if we improve defense and fast counter, we can be more consistent like the Italians who are the experts in defense and counter attack.
Nein, Herr Kaiser, I left Muenchen in Dec 1979. Glad you got to see die Loewen.
Adam, thanks for the info on what team actually played. As for how someone views a game (“kick around”), maybe that is true, but I would think there is always pride on the line, especially if you were playing a world renowned team like Bayern.
BLW – Are you in Munchen? Am in Heidelberg. Berhalter – Great first half of season for 1860. A solid back, but think this will be his last. Saw him here against Hoffenheim when Wolf was playing at 1860. Am he will make some time for a Paulaner or Hacker-Pschorr. As for running scared-couldn’t agree with you more. When we step on the pitch in European soil against someone other than Poland, Sweden or Denmark, we fall flat on our face? What’s up with that? Intimidation, Fear that’s it. We have got to get beyond that and hopefully Donovan will succeed here and that will wear off on the Nats.
Vu – I was thinking like you the past two months, but I am becoming a believer–knock on wood. I hope your assumption “Toni and Klose like Landon because an American player will not threaten their status in the team as with Poldi and incoming Olic” is way off the mark. Don’t think Klinsmann would take that risk if he truly didn’t think something was there. As for better MF, Ramos is by far the best America has ever produced. I know, I played against him in HS in Jersey and in college in NC.
By the way, that was not the Al Wehda team, that was more like a mix of arab all stars. They had players from all over the middle east on that team, and it was treated more like a kick around…
vu–you are probably right about the defense in these friendlies, as well as Donovan being more motivated. But the assessment that Donovan doesn’t threaten them because he is American–EVEN if the players themselves think that, and how would we even know that?–is way off base. I doubt Klinsmann of all people has hesitance toward Americans at all. If he does, he is going to be heading to marriage counseling straightway.
Wonder if Berhalter of rival 1860 has welcomed Donovan to Munich yet?
In 2002, sure the US had a little luck, both good and bad. At this stage, I would also think they were slightly more mature and skilled than the current team. But a lot can happen in one year, with the players we have coming on stronger and getting good play in good leagues. You never know. But 02 sure was special. And we didn’t back down from the mighty Germans . . . almost should have had that game–We need more gutsy performances like that, and like against Italy in 06, or Argentina last year. Much of the time we run scared like against Germany in 98 or England in 08. Drives me nuts.
About FCB lousy defense in these friendlies, that is to be expected because the players are asked not to risk injuries so they will likely leak goals easier than in league games which they are tied in first place.
As for landon’s performance slightly better than Toni, only landon is more motivated to perform since he is on trial, the rest of the players are just participating to stay fit.
In addition, toni and klose like landon because an american player will not threaten their status in the team as with polski and comming olic.
These friendlies will help to justify landon as a sub in league competition if he continues to do well and league playing time will justify a contract if he doesn’t fail at that level. At the moment, Toni and klose have consistency, landon still have to prove on that.
About 2010, I doubt the US will repeat a 2002 WC. First, it was luck because the loss to Poland almost got them eliminated from first round. Second, it was a better team. Claudia Reyna is a better central midfielder and leader than Michael Bradley. Reyna control the pace and the flow of the game, M. Bradley doesn’t even come close to that.
I hope that Donovan doesnt come back to the mls till hes like 35 or 36.
its good for him to make some strides in europe. and bayern seems to be the best place for him….
Goals scored in games where the keeper wears a pinney don’t count!
My favorite part of this: The Al-Wehda keeper using an FCB sub jersey cause he was wearing a black shirt.
Well, besides the goal.
lol, Vandon Donowan. You think as low as 5.5? I don’t know that they’d do that low. Be interesting.
edit: “bist DU.” geesh.