You can officially call Landon Donovan's chances of staying with Bayern Munich after his loan period expires ice cold after the U.S. national team star was left off the squad list for today's Champions League match vs. Sporting Lisbon.
Donovan had been included in Bayern's Champions League roster, but did not make the bench for today's match. Luca Toni is back in the lineup for Bayern Munich while Lukas Podolski was chosen for the bench.
What do you think of this news? Have you given up hope of Donovan heading to Europe any time soon? Are you a relieved Galaxy fan who likes the idea of having your best player back? Are you still holding out hope that something happens?
Share your thoughts below.
It seems like Klinsman is feeling too much heat around things to keep giving Donovan opportunities. I think Donovan could succeed but he would need to be given more time. Hopefully he can have a successful return in MLS and then he can look for another European opportunity in the summer. Safe to say not Germany.
I wonder if he will get a start or some playing time in the second leg since BM has four away goals. Klinsman might give him a start as a thank you in a game that doesn’t mean much.
BTW, pretty normal for every player to get their start as a sub, and yes they need to come on and impress in a big way in sometimes just a couple minutes. Landon got much more than a few minutes.
Wayne Rooney came on the other night against Fulham and scored on his first touch. The bar is set very high — in Europe
Americans are just no good in Europe, Clint Dempsey excepted.
Whether Americans are good in the USA is another question – maybe they only look good around others who don’t measure up at a world class level.
Landon… we’re disappointed, and sorry for you.
Oh, by the way, I think the MLS owning players’ contracts is draconian and short sighted. The MLS is after the good of the MLS, not the good of American soccer. There, I said it. Still, it’s all we have so I’ll go to the MLS matches and hope naively for the beautiful game.
I used to be a bit of a Bayern fan. When Donovan came on, I became very interested. Now that I see how they’ve treated him, I’m a Bayern hater.
That’s too bad. I feel bad for him.
Hopefully he gets to europe someday because I think he really wants to play there.
I, for one, am excited to see Landon back in 2009. I assume Becks will be back too.
When I go to MLS games I want to see the best possible players on the field. I know the money isn’t there to compete with the Bayern’s and (corrupt) Milan’s of the world. But I want MLS teams to be as good as possible, filled with as much talent as possible.
So, the more folks with talent that play here, the better. Let’s not just keep Donovan and Becks, let’s up the ante by bringing in a lot more good soccer players in the future.
He certainly got a chance, but he also almost certainly didn’t get a fair chance.
I don’t care who you are, substitute appearances in 3-4 matches are not enough to showcase what you can contribute in the long-term. Think about all the factors involved: new teammates, new league, different playing environment, new country, new coaches, etc…
I won’t pretend to know what the Bayern coaching staff observed in practices or whether the decision was driven as much by financial considerations as his play, but from what I can see, he didn’t get anything resembling a truly fair shot at proving his worth.
I welcome you home Landon. Sorry you got shafted.
I absolutely despise these midseason transfer/loan deals. You get thrown into a team that is basically already set, and are expected to immediately get into rhythm with everyone else. If he is serious about playing Europe, he should demand an early summer transfer and go to team that will include him in its plans from the very beginning of a season.
Not a shock – BM’s just finally accepting they can’t pay MLS’s asking price. No matter what he and BM and hordes of US soccer fans wanted to think, he was always coming back to LA unless he scored a couple of hat tricks AND BM really made it worth MLS’s while. The loan was just to keep him happy (LA couldn’t loan out DB and tell LD no).
Didn’t the MLS turn down an offer because it wasn’t enough money? I thought that was the only reason he was coming back.
Donovan has played in all four of Bayern’s Bundesliga games of the season’s second half as a sub, averaging 32 minutes per game.
I don’t think Landon got a fair chance. BUT I’m Glad he’ll back with GALAXY!!
Come On L.A.
Good/bad (and this may have as much to do with the fact that he won’t be staying as it does his midling performance once the preseason matches ended).
Always want to see him succeed, but would (selfishly) prefer to see him in a league more suited to his unique abilities, a la Spain or France. Dominate for the Gals in 2009, headed for warmer, less physical climes in 2010.
honestly, I am glad he will coming to Seattle on May 10. I have massive respect for LD and the chance to see him compete (but lose) will be awesome.
Come on you Sounders!
Turn out the lights, the party’s over!! (singing in a medley) That’s too bad for Landy though…
Not a big shock. It’s called big fish in a small pond. Cakes has the ability to dominate at the MLS level, but not quite enough to cut it in major competition. End of story. Welcome home, LandyCakes….now go make the Galaxy relevant again.
He had his chance, but it didn’t work out. I think the comment about Landon by the boss stating that he was worth more to MLS than Bayern is part of the reason why they are not going to him anymore, well that and he really didn’t play that well the last couple games – he was good, but not great.
He needs to exert his will on the game more. When he gets fired up in MLS or with the Nats, he’s a lot more aggressive and plays better. I didn’t see that from him even in the friendlies. He has the potential for greatness, but you don’t see it all the time.
That said, I don’t think we can compare this experience to the failures of the past. He didn’t quit, held his own, but it didn’t work out. No shame in that. It would have been worse if he didn’t take the opportunity, and it will be even worse still if Landon does not learn from what happened and get back to Europe soon, albeit with another team. He’d be fine with a mid table team in any of the top leagues – I wouldn’t even be surprised if he picked Germany again.
I think Donovan will eventually end up with an EPL team. He definitely has the pace for the English game, and there are plenty of EPL teams that could use a quality striker. However, it may be 2010 before it happens. My guess is that he will be in a Galaxy uniform for 2009.
He played during MLS’ offseason. He’s on a tough team with Bayern. I think he could do it with a smaller team in Europe.
sucks…I’ve wasted my time today following the gamecast..
It’s hard to say he was placed in a good position to succeed at BM when (1) the team’s form dipped, (2) he never stared, and (3) BM was likely not going to meet MLS’ asking price in a transfer because he is more valuable to MLS than BM. Judging from his pre-season form you would have to think he could have fit it and contributed for BM. Hopefully other European teams took note.
MLS’ asking price for a transfer is going to be a continuing issue. When does Donovans’ contract with MLS run out so he can leave on a free transfer?
doesn’t he know that I don’t care and will love him just as much, maybe more if he stays here in the U.S.?
This is bull. He wasnt given a chance. Klinsman must be getting a lot of pressure from owners and such. I really hope he is a given one start before this is over and a chance to show what he can do over 90 minutes.
Also I really think Landon will be transfered in the summer. He wants out.
I think LD will get picked up by a smaller club during the summer. Hopefully he will shine, and show Bayern why they should have taken him. I think if Bayern hadn’t already lined up Olic to come in during the summer, LD would probably be getting more time.
Brandon – Keep in mind that Landon played just as well as the rest of his team in all those games. Bayern’s attack is one-dimensional and predictable. They never put Landon in a position where he could attack on the break, which is his strength. If you noticed, in their 3 recent Bundesliga losses, Bayern had a ton of possession but got killed on the break.
Look I am sure that JK had good intentions when he brought LD over. But the reality is that they gave LD 150 minutes to prove to them that he could play. But the fact of the matter is that the rest of the team was playing awful during that time. Then he comes in trying to adjust to a higher level than MLS and he looks so so on pitch. Then you have the he’s american so he must suck thing going and you get the not picked for the bench of the CL game. Which is the KISS OF DEATH.
I really feel for LD becuase he is a better player than Stevie C, Clint D, DMB, Michael Bradley, John Spector, Edddie Johnson, Gooch, Freddy Adu, etc… and he still gets no respect.
Maybe BM was not the right team but maybe another team would be best. But then you have the whole your the MLS so we are going to offer you peanuts thing. Not sure when his contract is up but that would be the best time for him to make a move.
In the end I still think that he will play a huge role in 2010 regardless of what team/league he plays for.
Its obvious to me that LD has the skill to play at the level of a team like BM. He certainly didn’t look lost on the field. But, like countless players he isn’t an exact fit at the club and they pass the player along.
Its not a failure or a justification of LD, just a situation fail. How many times does a player move onto a new club b/c he “failed to settle”?
LD to Aston Villa in the summer. 5 cents on it.
yes, 3 appearances and no starts. you telling me he’s no use based on 3 performances as a sub? i am not arguing with you that he’s hasnt live up to the preseason stuff but it’s based on small appearances. Not NUMEROUS chance.
It’s disappointing. I think that in terms of the # of games, LD got enough chances to show what he can do. BM did not really use him in the way that highlights his best qualities, but they technically did not have to do that. Either he fits with what they do, or he does not. From watching a few of their games, I’d say he does not. BM’s play stinks,particularly if you consider that they have Toni, Riberry, and several good players from the German national team, but that’s another issue.
I always thought that BM is not the right place for LD. He needs to go to a smaller team where the weight of expectations won’t be as much and the style of play the coach uses is more suitable to LD’s skills. It can be another German team, it is just not BM.
John – How can you say no chance? He was given time in 3 bundesliga games. In two of those games he got 45+ minutes and didn’t make it happen.
bummer…real bummer…
mixed feelings…always like a stronger MLS but like to see Americans thrive abroad.
I don’t see it as “failed” at all. Certainly, if he’d come on like Maradona, he’d have a contract.
How I read this “failed” stint: His price is too high, given MLS’ needs, it will stay there, and given FCB’s generally more frugal habits (compared to the other biggies), they will not pay.
Evaluation: Donovan looked good, and given other circumstances, would fit well on FCB. Since they are not going to fork over the money, and Poldi is under contract and staying longer, I see him getting little to no playing time. He still can move, but will likely be back to MLS this season. Look forward to that. He must move by next year, however if he ever does.
brandon,
he didnt even have 1 start. what u smoking with the multiple opportunities. if you have been starter for all your life and they’re telling you to come off the bench, yeah it’s tough. common sense.
Landon is coming back until the summer and then he will move to a slightly smaller caliber club if he wishes. I am thinking a mid table EPL team, Fulham? (God I hope so) get ride of Bobby G.
Whoever says that Donovan was never given a chance to succeed is wrong. He was given multiple opportunities to show that he had what it takes, and in his time at Bayern he never showed those capabilities.
Please, let’s all be honest. Donovan has tremendous natural ability, but until he can play EVERY game (not just some here and some there) at a high level, he cannot be a part of a team like Bayern. I am hoping this happens, but I find it becoming less and less likely as time moves on.
Darn you Jurgen. You told me if I picked Donovan in my fantasy team that you would start him. There goes my sleeper pick.
Not exactly a glimmering track record in Europe so far for Donovan.
I am a huge Donovan fan (he’s the best US product ever, end of story.) but I feel this “failed” third attempt in Germany will only fuel the notion already out there that he is soft and simply can’t cut it in Europe.
With that being said, I just don’t see many people taking a chance on him now and that’s really unfortunate. Even more so, the negative vibes people already have against US field players will most likely increase with this “failure” of Donovan.
It’s too bad because he really did well during the winter break for Bayern. Oh well, back to haunting DC United in the opener for Donovan.
This doesn’t mean that he won’t be in Europe next season, just not in a Bayern kit. It does appear likely that both Beckham and Donovan will be suiting up for the Galaxy. With this in mind, what do we think of LA’s chances this season? How will MLS fans react to Beckham’s wishes to stay in Europe? Will this be good for the league? Any chance Beckham will have a change of heart if the Galaxy make a deep playoff run?
Experience
He didn’t get much of a chance. He only had one really good opportunity he should have done better with, at Berlin.
Well, Klinsmann brought him and he doesn’t have much breathing room — just got the dreaded vote of confidence from Rumenigge, who apparently was never enamored of Landon to begin with.
Let’s see who leaves first — Landon or Jurgen.
He’s done for sure. But we could have called this a while ago. I don’t think Bayern was the place for him, but he will surely be back in Europe, with a good side that will suit his style more.
Too sad for Donovan. I think MLS should just sell him to Bayern for whatever they can get — at least give Donovan more time and a fighting chance to succeed there.
Picking Podolski over Landon shows they don’t see a future for Landon at Bayern.
BM is full of crap. Sure, Landon missed a golden opportunity to score against Berlin. But his team played like crap, they didn’t trust him at all or give him a chance to get any rhythm, and they didn’t make use of his strengths. He never had a chance. To hell with Bayern!
well, thats that. he had his chance: the hertha berlin game. if he didnt shank that ribery cross he probably would have already been transferred by now.
I wish he could have stayed. He’ll make it in Europe one day soon. Hopefully LA Gals get the cash they deserve for Beckham and can use that money to buy 3 or 4 quality players to help Landon on the field.
He’s as good as gone from Bayern. It doesn’t mean he will never make it in Europe, but he didn’t make much impact off the bench for Bayern since the season started back up.
Bayern is a tough club to break through at, especially playing sub minutes.
He’s done at Bayern. That sucks. Hopefully he’ll get another shot somewhere elese in the summer.