Maybe it was the goal vs. Brazil. Or maybe it was a stint with Bayern Munich that went better than previous German excursions. Perhaps it was simply enjoying a summer where he recaptured the form that has made him arguably the best player in U.S. national team history.
Whatever the reason, Landon Donovan has a swagger these days that he's never had before, a confidence and a belief that he can dominate any game and give any team he plays on a good chance of winning. This isn't the too young to know any better confidence of a 2002 Landon DOnovan. It is a swagger built on newly discovered self-belief, a swagger that should have U.S. national team and Los Angeles Galaxy fans very excited, and Donovan's future opponents very worried.
"I'm in a place now where it doesn't matter when I arrive or that the preparation is ideal," Donovan said after leading LA to a win vs. New York on Thursday, the same day he arrived via red-eye flight from Los Angeles.
"I know how I'm going to perform."
How Donovan performed on Thursday was very much the same way he performed in South Africa, with a hunger and determination that showcased the skills he has had for this entire decade. There's no hesitation or doubt in the way Donovan is playing now. He knows what he can do, and he knows that when he's on his game he can dominate.
What will that mean for the Galaxy? It means that a team that few thought would even make the playoffs suddenly has to be taken seriously as a post-season threat and an MLS Cup contender. As crazy as that may sound, this Galaxy team is clearly better than the 2005 team Donovan carried to an improbable MLS Cup title. This time around, Donovan has a better coach and better teammates around him. He also has that swagger.
What will it mean for the U.S. national team? It means that the U.S. team's best player is peaking and doing so as the team moves closer to its Aug. 12 World Cup qualifying showdown against Mexico. "We're ready," was Donovan's response to what he thought of the United States' chances in Estadio Azteca next month. I don't think anybody can question that.
Can Donovan keep this up? Is this the new Landon, or is he just high on success and destined to rekindle some of the insecurities that have kept him from maximizing his ability?
We are about to find out.
I have to laugh…
The fourth place team in the West has more points than the first place team in the East. For that matter, the fifth place team in the West is only 1 point behind Chicago.
Hey Ives – where are the articles about how bad the East is? If the tables were turned, we’d undoubtedly get eastern propaganda every day.
PS I hope Landon gets over the mental hump, lands a good move this winter and is in top form for WC2010. I’d like nothing more. On the right team, in the right league he could excel…but it’s getting a fit. Look at the contrasting fortunes of Adu (or even Donovan himself in his German stints) to that of Dempsey who found a great fit.
Most of you are missing the point on what I said – I agree he had a very good Conf. Cup (arguably the US’s MVP of the tourney). I’m not disputing that. I’m not disputing that he’s lit up MLS for years. What I’m saying is that aside from this Conf Cup he has consistently NOT performed at tournament level (WC’s etc) for the US, and clearly didn’t cut it in three different spells in Germany – including one this season. Nothing a couple of good games (and it was only a couple) at the Conf Cup changes that.
Turtle – those remarks COULD be construed as confidence, but that’s not how I see it. He’s cocky, sure, when he’s the big fish, but he’s like a whimpering little girl the rest of the time. His entire lashing of Becks seems to be fuelled by jealousy and sour grapes. He’s a complete hypocrite as well, for all the times he’s bailed on the LA for hsi own interests (including the ESPY’s this week) and would have taken a 6 month loan or perm move to Bayern, had he been able to impress.
Again, I’m not trying to overly bash him, I’m just saying he’s not proven anything and really I thought this article was not representative of his situation over all. Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion – incuding me. It’s not like I’m a stranger to football.
Now if only he can leave the Bruce Arena-David Beckham circus and go play for a good team. This summer would be fantastic for a move.
alijarov, whats wrong with u, name a US player better than LANDON??, he has excel in the USMNT not even Wynalda was that dominating…
After watching the last 3 or 4 Galaxy games and the one last night against Red Bull, I have to say LA will be a major force through the rest of this year. I will not be suprised if they make MLS Cup.
Big props to Arena. I’ve met and talked to Arena several times and I really don’t like his personality, but as a coach he is dead on.
The Bottom Line: This is a very good and vastly improved LA team compared to last year.
alijarov: Nearly every opinion you stated was wrong. And so is the one fact you offered. He had two goals in the Confederations Cup, not one.
Maybe while he was watching Beckham half-ass it last year, he reflected upon his own performance and decided to show up every day.
The knock on Donovan was never his skills or athleticism. It was that he did not have the focus to be “on” all the time. I’m thinking the up close spectacle of a world class professional from the land of big clubs mailing it in spurred a bit of self enlightenment.
I used to be a hater but now (after the confed cup and the quotes in the book) I’m a huge supporter of LD.
Not quite ready to anoint Donovan yet. Certainly the time at Bayern had some effect. Definetly seeing some good things. Let’s see what happens in Azteca.
minus that first houston game. whoops.
@alijarov
Do you watch soccer?
“A good Confederations Cup aside (yet only 1 goal to show for it) he’s still not proven himself at the top level and I’d have to totally disagree he has a ‘swagger’.”
It wasn’t a good Confed Cup, he played a brilliant Confed Cup! He only had one goal (against the best team int he world by the way), but he was all over the field, helping create chances, tracking back to win balls, and holding the ball in the midfield when the defense needed a rest. Good play is about more than scoring goals, and landon now realizes that!
If you can’t see the swagger you just aren’t paying attention! He hasn’t succeeded at the top level? Other than a few keepers, no one from the US has (Dempsey is on his way, though)…but with his new confidence he is one of our best bet to succeed on the highest level.
good player. does alot for USMNT and soccer in general.
still hate his attitude and his little b*tch personality on the pitch though. 🙂
soo…… GJ LANDYCAKES!!
If no one has seen the schedule the Galaxy have left to face, id take a look. Sure they’re a threat to make a run, but making the postseason is going to be a challenge.
@ Houston
@ KC
@ NE
Seattle
@ Chicago
@ DCU
Chivas
Dallas
Toronto
@ Columbus
Chicago
@ Houston
San Jose
Sure there are games they will win in there, but they have to play every decent in team in the east and most of the contenders in the west. Hitting their form or not, that is a rough schedule.
With regards to moving to Europe:
He is in a sticky situation. If he stays for the remainder of the MLS season with the Galaxy, he won’t move to Europe until January, halfway through the season. Players will have been playing together for 5+ months including preseason. No team is going to allow him to come in and jump right in. He will have to compete for the top 14 spots on the roster. That said, it will be good for him to get into that competitive environment, but I also see him going to a less talented team to ensure playing time before the World Cup.
But, if he leaves before the European season begins, he leaves a team much in the same way Beckham left for Milan. I don’t like either scenario, but would rather him leave now and establish himself early before the starting XI takes shape in Europe.
Regardless, he is more than ready to show his worth in England, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, etc. He is obviously the best field player on the MNT, and if Dempsey can flourish at Fulham, then Donovan can flourish in a similar winger role on an even better team.
Sorry to get off topic Ives, but I wanted to bring this point up.
Mandon is a prime example that you really don’t have to go overseas to develop into a World Class player.
I know…I know….I’m upsetting the Eurosnob portion of SBI readers, and I apologize. The only thing that matters to me, is that people realize that David Beckham is just a role player, on Landon Donovans team.
Que “he couldn’t cut it in Germany” people….
Landon is the best US player of all time period… he has the skills to be playing in Europe and I think he will be doing so in a very short period of time, Ãt’s up to him to keep it up and show the World what hes capable of… go Landon u are our soccer star!!!
Aljarov, did you miss his 25 yard volley last night? Did you see how he took on a defender every time he could face the goal?
People who have been following him can easily see a difference in his attitude and performance.
Anyways…his current form is no fluke, it’s been 4+ games where he has looked on point. Half of ability in soccer is mental. If you lack the confidence, you are going to suck. If you believe in your abilities, you are going to light the pitch on fire.
He has finally found his nitch as an attacking midfielder. I’m very excited to see his passion on August 12th come full force in Estadio Azteca.
I don’t think he has changed one bit, he looks much better because the level of players around him has improved, and the style of the USMNT FINALLY compliments him as a player… I think for so long landon was 2 levels above the rest of the team, but this isn’t baseball where you can have one player have a monster year in the midst of a bunch of mediocre players… Very good players become great players when they play w/ guys that allow them to show off their talents…
I was so impressed w/ the Confeds cup b/c its the first time I’ve ever seen the USMNT attempt to play aggressively on the ground, w/out reverting to long balls when things got difficult…
This is Donovan’s game, and playing him at outside mid was a masterstroke by Bradley, and Arena has caught on as well…
In Germany he held his own, but he was never going to be successful on a team who’s gameplane is the take the ball in the corner and cross it to landon… If Klinnsman played him outside it might have been a different story (Ribery on the left and donovan on the right, sounds pretty good)
The turning point for him was the Confederations Cup.
When the whole team woke up, he kind of woke up with them. I agree that we are starting to see the promise we saw in him. This is good for the US.
Bayern was not the turning point. If anything, it was turning into another German nightmare. If he does go to Europe, he should set his sites on La Liga. I think his performance at the Confederations Cup shows he could compete there.
The Kick and Run league is not the place for him either.
Donovan went to the Confed cup a tiny, little landycakes and emerged a few weeks later as MANDON.
Fot those of you who think Landon passes the ball because he is afraid to take shots on goal I ask you WHY is he the one who always steps up to take the PENALTY kicks.
This takes courage…giving a freebie to his teammates makes him more of a TEAM player, not hogging all the glory.
alijarov, I completely disagree with you and your friend.
Dam. Mandon looked in point last night. Goal of the year? Dam. I have no doubt that the Galaxy will make the playoffs. They appear to be heading in the right direction, fast…
WOW. What does this guy have to do to get some respect? If it is not someone on this board calling him a failure or it is some reserve team coach in Europe saying he sucks or someone saying that he is a punk for calling out Goldenballs. Just Unreal.
The guy can play at the highest level of the sport = Europe. Not only that but he can play in one of the top 3 leagues. He can start at mid to lower table teams in those leagues or be a great reserve for the top teams. Case Closed. His mix of speed and smarts are at the highest levels. With better players around him he would be a very valuable piece of a team in Europe. If guys like Guardado, Dempsey, Beasley, Hendry Thomas, N Castillo, Gooch, Marquez, etc.. from CONCACAF can move to Europe and play well LD can also.
I hope he gets an opportunity. His contract with MLS expires after this season I think so I hope that by January he is in Europe. I like the swagger and I like the look of this guy for the last few months. He knows that he can play and play well.
IF this is indeed the “new Donovan” and not just a spell, perhaps the glory days for US soccer has arrived….
Ives can you try to draw some attention to the fact that the USA mexico game will only be in english on MUN 2? That is unacceptable for the biggest game of the year especially when many casual fans might want to check out the game and get discouraged when they find out that they probably only will get the game in spanish if at all
Who would have known 2 years ago when Bob brougth the A team to the gold cup(so we can qualify for the confederation’s cup) and the B team to copa america that this would be the result.
Posted by: cbr
——————————————-
Some of us had hoped this would be the result but let’s not overexaggerate an unfolding result–Because you could argue that almost getting embarrassed in El Salvador and getting waxed in Saprissa or even the opening Confederation Cup routs were part of the plot that is unfolding.
I’m not ready to brand Bradley a genius yet but contrary to many, I don’t think that he is as idiotic as some people like to assert. To the contrary. I am still not convinced that he is the man to lead our Senior MNT but he is who we have now and we must support him and hope for the best.
Funny thing about coaches. One day, with a disappointing result that can look like clowns and a week later with an “overachieving” performance they can look like “shrewd tacticians”. It is that kind of gig…
Dianetics –it’s so LA
Alijarov, I’m on the fence about your statement. In the beginning of the Confed Cup I would have totally agreed with you. There are times when he should have been more selfish/daring, and taken his own shot.
But obviously he was trying to get his teammates involved in the action. While that kind of thinking bit him in the foot at the beginning of the tournament, it payed off big dividends towards the end. His teammates scuffed many chances, but with time came the confidence and experience to make more with what Donovan was offering. I offer Bradley’s goal as an example…Davies’ goal to a lesser extent as well.
@William: Donovan does get a lot of abuse but that is because so much was/is expected of him. Life ain’t fair. You pick the sport–the players that are viewed as the most talented or with the biggest upside get judged more harshly than the average Joe.
Landon has been a big fish in a geographically large pond but small talent pool.
He has been a whipping boy and unfairly at times–at almost laughable degrees, I think.
But now he has just raised the bar again recently and we will see where he goes from here.
landy is still a wanker.
not sure why he’d have an increased confidence from his stint in europe. he could only score in friendlys and bayern didn’t even consider making an offer for his service.
and you can be sure if they DID make an offer, he would have up and left his galaxy teammates in the same way he’s criticizing beckham for doing.
I’ve been as much of a Donovan critic as anyone for the past few years, frustrated by what seemed to me like a lack of leadership both on and off the field. Landon appeared to be a player with great talent and potential with little interest in realizing either.
However, over the last year or so, he has emerged as a player who has realized that living up to high expectations that you set for yourself is more important than meeting anyone else’s perception of who you should be. He has developed hunger for wins, a reassuring confidence, and shown consistent performance.
I think that it’s safe to drop the “Landy-cakes” nickname and support him as the player and leader he’s become. He’s got my support.
I want to see more before I buy into the what Ives and Donovan are selling.
Is he looking really good recently? Heck yeah!
Is he at his peak? I’m not so sure. I need to see more. He has “faked” us out before with his peaks.
Alijov – you can look at the book as him being insecure OR you can look at it as him being supremely secure. It’s a matter of perspective right? Also, are goals the only measure of success for an player like Landon? I don’t think so. His CC performance was inspired and inspiring. He showed others (Adu) what it takes to perform against the best. How many of his passes have turned into goals. He may be a bit unselfish but he’s set up plenty of goals and goals win games, right?
Who would have known 2 years ago when Bob brougth the A team to the gold cup(so we can qualify for the confederation’s cup) and the B team to copa america that this would be the result. Gooch, Donovan, and Charlie Davies lives changed for the better b/c of that choice
Posted by: cbr | July 17, 2009 at 10:34 AM
I agreed with that decision at the time and understood the importance of the Confederations Cup and I realized at the beginning of the year that the Confederations Cup were the most important game of the year.
alijarov, for the most part, you and your friend, are morons.
While he definitely has more confidence, it still doesn’t mean that much until he moves to a bigger league. I can understand how he wants to finish out this season, but there’s no harm in signing a contract now for the winter transfer window. His agent needs to get on the phone, stat. He still makes unnecessary passes to no one in particular from time to time. I still think he’s benefiting from being Ribery’s understudy. Even though he was ‘trying’ to play forward, I’m sure the whole time he was keying in on exactly how Ribery made the sparks fly from that left wing position. To me, THAT is the biggest key to his recent success. The second biggest thing is the obvious chip on his shoulder– having something to prove for slumming in the MLS.
“I’m in a place now where it doesn’t matter when I arrive or that the preparation is ideal,”
This is an interesting comment. Is this “being professional” 😉 Would have been a good line from Becks to use.
Problem for Landon is that his style of game can lass the smell test in usa club soccer, but is suspect tactically at higher club levels abroad (Bayern level).
I am at ease when Sir LandonLot has the ball at his feet. I wish I could say that about some of the others on the USMNT.
Once the season resumed, Donovan was used fairly idiotically by Klinsmann – as a replacement for the injured Luca Toni. Of course, he looked like a little boy lost among the redwoods. Before that, in the exhibitions, he was used out wide and was very effective.
But to you point Ives…I think you nailed it. It’s a more mature confidence and I believe it will be consistently displayed. Donovan threw down the gauntlet in front of Beckham and despite public “make nice” he’s going to back it up on the field. You could almost feel while that brilliant cross to Lewis was in the air an unstated “that’s how it’s done, Becks”.
Look, I’m a Quaked fan and I’m supposed to hate the Galaxy. But I’ve always liked Donovan and, more importantly, I’m an MLS fan. I know what’s the most compelling story in the league right now and I know that the best thing possible will be for Donovan to stay on this form and carry the Galaxy to the MLS Cup final.
I can’t wait to see him take the next step and dominate another league!
You know, a friend and I were talking last night how, for the most part, Landon DOESN’T have the confidence at the international level. He regularly will pass instead of shoot – and it’s more than being an unselfish teammate, he looks genuinely scared to pull the trigger.
I think he’s scarred from three failed stints abroad, and lacks confidence to really get it done at top flight level. This last tournament is the first time really (at least in a loooong time) he’s shown up at a finals event. He’s usually MIA.
A good Confederations Cup aside (yet only 1 goal to show for it) he’s still not proven himself at the top level and I’d have to totally disagree he has a ‘swagger’.
If anything, the Wahl book showed just how insecure he is, and how jealous he is of Beckham and his successes.
Ives,
Simply put Landon has just reached his prime/peak as an athlete. It is where his mental and physical stregths are at the highest cobined level they will ever be. This usually happens from 26-29 and then the mental surpases the physical, which depending on the individual can deteriorate very rapidly.
I was so PO’d with LD after making the trip to support the US in WC06. Couldn’t believe he would just sleepwalk through those important matches.
I agree that the Munich experience was positive. And none of us will ever forget his masterpiece of a goal against Brasil in the Confed Cup.
Totally cheering for him again. Can’t wait for the WCQ in Azteca, and I am making the trip to see it first-hand.
It’s clear that Donovan has improved his play in the last year, to the point where he is undeniably in the upper echelon of world class players. The only question now is if he can sustain such play the rest of his USMNT and club career.
Fine wine matures with age. Cheap beer must do the same thing…just look at Mathis 🙂
Seriously there is nothing like an overseas stint to help American players get their mind around the fact that they really are THAT good.
¡Ten cuidado, México! ¡Viene Donovan ya!
It truly has been exciting to watch the United States play this summer. New stars for the US have emerged (such as Charlie Davies) and others are fast becoming global stars (Onyewuh, Donovan).
With regard to Landon, his play for the United States and for the Galaxy certainly merits another shot at Europe, hopefully somewhere other than Germany. But, since moving abroad could be a risk in terms of playing time and form, I hope he doesn’t make the move until after the World Cup.
Who would have known 2 years ago when Bob brougth the A team to the gold cup(so we can qualify for the confederation’s cup) and the B team to copa america that this would be the result. Gooch, Donovan, and Charlie Davies lives changed for the better b/c of that choice
It is long past time for all the haters and naysayers to give up the “Landy-cakes” ullshit and acknowledge the skill level and heart this man demonstarets every game.
I think the time with Bayern Munich was great for his confidence. I know a lot of people thought that it was a failure, but I watched a lot of his games there and he did not look out of place playing with some of the best players in the world – and I think he realized that too.