By FRANCO PANIZO
Landon Donovan's much-anticipated English Premier League debut came with less than a week's worth of training, and even though he was unfamiliar with his new teammates and the English style of play, he did not disappoint.
Donovan made his presence felt 13 minutes into Everton's match vs. Arsenal, sending in a corner kick that midfielder Leon Osman headed home to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Donovan, who was deployed as a right midfielder in the 2-2 draw, was more than just a threat on set pieces, as he continuously terrorized left back Armand Traore before being subbed out in the 69th minute with cramps.
Everton manager David Moyes was disappointed to take off the U.S. national team midfielder, but Moyes was delighted with Donovan's debut.
Donovan wasn't the only player to enjoy a strong performance this weekend. Jon-Paul Pittman netted his fifth league goal of the season, scoring the equalizer in a 90-minute performance against Leeds United.
Here is how the Americans Abroad did this weekend:
England
PREMIERSHIP
- Tim Howard started and played 90 minutes in Everton's 2-2 draw vs. Arsenal on Saturday.
- Landon Donovan started, played 69 minutes and had an ASSIST in Everton's 2-2 draw vs. Arsenal on Saturday.
- Jozy Altidore and Hull City's match vs. Chelsea on Satuday was postponed.
- Clint Dempsey and Fulham's match vs. Portsmouth on Saturday was postponed.
- Jonathan Spector and West Ham's match vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday was postponed.
- Brad Friedel and Aston Villa's match vs. Wigan Athletic on Saturday was postponed.
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Brad Guzan and Aston Villa's match vs. Wigan Athletic on Saturday was postponed.
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Marcus Hahnemann and Wolverhampton Wanderers' match vs. West Ham on Sunday was postponed.
LEAGUE ONE
- Zak Whitbread did not dress in Norwich City's 3-1 win vs. Exeter City on Saturday.
- Ian Joyce and Southend United's match vs. Walsall on Saturday was postponed.
- Mike Grella came off the bench and played 6 minutes in Leeds United's 1-1 draw vs. Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.
- Jemal Johnson and Milton Keynes Dons' match vs. Swindon Town on Saturday was postponed.
- Jon-Paul Pittman started, played 90 minutes and scored a GOAL in Wycombe Wanderers' 1-1 draw vs. Leeds United on Saturday.
Scotland
- Maurice Edu dressed but did not play in Rangers' 3-3 draw vs. Hamilton Academical in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup on Sunday.
- DaMarcus Beasley did not dress in Rangers' 3-3 draw vs. Hamilton Academical in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup on Sunday. He is recovering from a thigh injury.
Italy
- Oguchi Onyewu did not dress in AC Milan's match vs. Juventus on Sunday.
France
- Carlos Bocanegra dressed but did not play in Rennes' 2-0 win vs. Caen in the ninth round of the Coupe de France on Saturday.
Portugal
- Kamani Hill did not dress in Vitoria de Guimaraes' 1-0 win vs. Maritimo on Saturday.
Greece
- Eddie Johnson did not dress Aris Salonika's 4-2 win vs. Iraklis on Sunday. He is not yet available to play for the club.
- Freddy Adu did not dress in Aris Salonika's 4-2 win vs. Iraklis on Sunday. He is not yet available to play for the club.
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What do you think of these performances? Impressed by Donovan's debut? Excited for the remaining weeks of his loan? Think Jon-Paul Pittman should get a call-up to the national team? How concerned are you by Bocanegra's benching?
Share your thoughts below.
O…M…G
i need to experience this in person. incredible.
Bradley won’t bench Bocanegra. Should he? Yes. But I’m resigned to the fact that Boca will be in the back 4 no matter what come June.
I don’t need to hear English fans tell me how good Donovan is. I saw what he did last year in internationals and club games. He is by far our best MNT player ever, and nothing they say, good or bad, will change my opinion of him.
I’m very concerned about Bocanegra not getting on the pitch. He has never been a consistent player, but he is our national team captain. Does anyone know what is going on in Rennes? Has he had a falling out with the manager? Did he simply lose a position battle? It’s very troubling he has been sitting on the bench for the last month.
uh yeah go fuego?! i guess
People, I was being facetious.
why do like to stir problems here? he’s not yanks abroad. so please drop it since i have seen you mention his name many times here now.
One of those posters said:
“I can remember one first touch sequence when the midfield moved the ball so quickly the gooners next to me actually gasped in amazement! Staveros seriously what did you think?”
who the eff is raul torres?
some pretty positive comments about Landon from Everton and Arsenal supporters:
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/yoursay/0,19082,1774,00.html
Folks,
Here is a quick video recap of Landon’s first game with Everton:
Bocenegra was probably the most likely starting L.B. for the W.C., at least until Gooch got injured. Demerit will start at C.B and Spector and ‘Dolo will handle R.B. I still think that at least against England that Borstein is not big and strong enough to hold up. Boca does have suspect speed, but he is a true defender and did OK in the Confed. Cup at L.B.. If Gooch is not healthy, and Bocanegra is not sharp, the US has a big problem. So count me in the very worried column. Let’s hope Goodson, Marshall or someone steps up big time.
No joke Brian, those two scored highest on U.S. Soccer’s Leadership Index c/o the Group Leader Behavior Instrument (GLBI) http://www.springerlink.com/content/m71876r01386wt27/. Another erudite reference from Andres. Your point’s well taken Brian, but you’ve got a long way to go if you want to match Andres’ contributions on this site.
Who’s down with JPP? Every last homie!
And another from Fresno here–who knew there were so many reading SBI. Go Fuego!?
May very well be that DeMerit with Gooch and Spector/Cherundolo is the best back four we have. Can never guarantee having your first choices though and I still like Boca
from fresno? im from fresno, does this dude play for the fuego or what?
Well, let’s hope Gooch is healthy come June…our defense is not looking very solid.
The Brits are a bunch of fragile silly nannies.
Forget Rossi. He’s made it clear where his allegiance his despite being homegrown.
I’m sorry, was that some kind of joke? You don’t think it’s a serious matter that our captain hasn’t been getting playing time for a while now?
I think we should look for a Captain elsewhere. Is Brian Ching available? Or maybe Raul Torres from Fresno.
Yep, Jamie. It’s a big conspiracy to prevent Americans from getting practice in.
I think it’s officially time to start worrying about Bocanegra. Might be time to find a new club in the January transfer window, or we might need to look for a new captain.
I’m all for Captain Lando.
And Rossi played 90 for Villarreal.
Severe winter weather? London got 2 inches of snow! That would be laughable in the US. Why couldn’t Fulham or West Ham play? They said it was the conditions around the stadiums. Why not shovel then? It seems absurd that they played in Madrid in a snowstorm today, but called off games in England because it snowed 3-4 DAYS EARLIER!
I’m assuming Gooch is still out injured even though Ives didn’t say so…?
According to the Fox Sports en Espanol Bob Bradley was at the Tigres game to watch Edgar Castillo.
Didn’t watch the whole game but from what a saw I agree with the announcers’ assessment that he was a bit shaky today. Made some careless turnovers.
Are you being serious? Its called winter weather. The games will be made up, they have to be made up. A player shouldn’t base a decision to move to a club/country based on how many games will be postponed or not.
It’s not a “trend”, it’s just a case of severe winter weather. The games will be made-up before April.
If Yanks abroad keep having their matches postponed like this, we’re going to have problems come the World Cup. This is a disturbing trend and something American players like Stu Holden and Rico Clark should consider before leaving MLS.
US Soccer commercial with Donovan, Howard, Dempsey, and more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnK2h5WaBao
Ives,
You said jokingly that if LD scored a hat trick every game, that Everton would surely made the move permanent…..So I take it that it’s a longshot.
So does Landon pretty much automatically remain @ Everton if there is an MLS work stoppage? Think he can secure make himself indispensable to Everton on the field and thus secure a loan?
Hope to see freddie and eddie PLAY for Aris at some point they are still young and hopefully they can develop into solid players with some more time on the pitch, great game by Donovan I hope he stays confident and contributes well he’ll need to be good come the World Cup.
Sad but agree. Has looked out of his depth for a bit and wasn’t happy with his performance over the summer. Pulled himself together a bit but against a speedy wing, he’ll be caught out more than not. DeMerit and Gooch I think showed their central partnership is the most solid we have had.
What’s the deal with Bocanegra?
England C isn’t Fifa sanctioned thats why it doesn’t cap tie players. A lot of non league players (england C is for non league players like Pittman when he was with Crawley) have gone on to play for other full national teams with no problem.
Freddy Adu on the Aris game today.
“great win for My team tonight. 4-2. Atmosphere was unbelievable. Cant wait for my first game”
Here is atmosphere he is talking about.
Yes, they do. Tigres have to win and hope Monterrey does not. If that happens they play America for a spot in Libertadores.
If an American plays for a Mexican team and that team is playing on in a tournament on US soil, does it count as an “American Abroad”?
Tigres, Edgar Castillo’s team, plays Jaguares in the final Interliga group games today. Don’t know whether either team still has a chance at qualifying for Libertadores Cup.
not good at all. his status as captain is going to be severely tested. he’s not playing, demerit was challenging his spot even when he was playing, donovan is mature enough to be captain (and he’s the offensive spark for the entire squad) and timmy has been the vocal leader of the back four for quite some time now. carlos you’re a good guy and i’m pulling for you but i think your reign as starting XI fixture and captain may be coming to a close
England C doesn’t cap tie anyone. He is fully eligible for the USA and has expressed that he only wants to play for us.
http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=5288
does anyone know if pittman will play for the US?
he’s been capped in an england c team, but has he declared that he wants to play with the americans?
If they get clearance they could play on Wednesday. Its a cup game and Aris need 2 U-20 players in the squad so Adu could be in the sqaud. EJ would be expected to play as well.
Landon was solid against Arsenal. Lets hope he builds on that performance once he gets comfortable with his teammates…but alas…by that time…he will be leaving for home.
Bad news for Eddie and Freddy is that Aris has some momentum and might not make many changes while they are on a roll. They were much better than Iraklis tonight.
Anyone know why Boca is not playing?….Le Bueller? …Le Bueller?
Does anyone know why Carlos isn’t playing? Is he hurt or did he fall out of favor with Antonetti?
Great game by Donovan. Lets hope he can keep it up. I’m very concerened about Bocanegra.
Boca’s lack of playing time is becoming a major concern for me. He was struggling Internationally as it was. Not a good sign that his club has now resigned him to the bench.
After he exels with his time in everton its going to seem pretty sad heading back to mls, hopefully a way to make it permanent
Wow, some pretty nice words from Moyes about our boy.
http://watchsocceronline.blogspot.com/2010/01/pittman-scores-against-grellas-leeds-in.html#more Pittman’s goal. He also hit the post. Its his 5th league goal but he has 8 overall (includes 3 in cup games).