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.