Comments on: Landon Donovan: Troubling Signs of Immaturity Reappear

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 22:59:56 +0000

Wow. This is an extremely uninformed piece.

There are always multiple ways to interpret behaviors. You can choose to call Donovan’s behavior immature. I believe that the fact that he spoke to Wahl about Becks was immature. However, everything else in this piece is BS. You blame Donovan for calling out Lalas for violating the terms of his contract by lying about the results of MVP voting? Really?

I’d also suggest that you do some research about Donovan’s off-the-field leadership. Ask the players. There are literally hundreds of quotes out there from the time he was in Bradenton on. Look into his role in resolving the labor dispute between USSF and the players. Look up the story about how he helped his (then) girlfriend and her family deal with a major crisis.

In addition, his decision to remain in the MLS can clearly be interpreted as recognizing what was best for him. You don’t think Adu, Jozy, Feilhaber, Beazley, … etc. would have been better off spending a little more time in MLS? It is clear that going to the wrong team in Europe can kill a career. Maybe Donovan was mature enough to recognize that.

All of these stories support the perception that Donovan is an extremely mature person. He surely makes mistakes (like everyone else), but I see this piece as overwhelming taking a number of incidents that others have interpreted as signs of his maturity, and then twisting them into a different perspective.

By: soccer goals

soccer goals — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:55:47 +0000

Donovan played well last night.

By: Ted Westervelt

Ted Westervelt — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:12:34 +0000

Kartik is on again…. except for the consistent acquiescence to the closed franchise model as concrete fact, of course! Three comments:

LIttle strikers are a dime a dozen in Europe, and while Donovan is about as good a finisher as we’ve ever seen here in the US, (no offense to Archie Stark) I think that global competition at his size is more fierce than say, at Josie or Eddie or Kenny Cooper’s size.

Let’s face it folks, if you are posting here there is a 99% chance that if AC Milan and the LA Galaxy both wanted your services, you’re pretty tempted to choose Milan. I’ll bet that Becks sees the MLS as a exhibition league, and until we break our clubs out of the tightly micromanaged franchise model, thats what we get.

Dempsey’s comments in an AP article a few weeks back musta peeved Lando – he basically said the EPL challenged him, but the MLS fosters complacency. Well, it is an exhibition league…..

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:02:22 +0000

You all are out of your freaking minds if you think Donovan is “immature” and “spoiled” give me a break. He’s the best player this country has ever produced so in turn he is also scrutinized the most. I admit for several years I couldn’t stand him but everything he has done in the past year has been a welcome change for me. I love how he had the balls to stand up to Beckman and love the fact he is showing more fire and passion than in years past. And the guy doesn’t have to go to “Europe” to prove he is the best or to develop…the guy produces at the International level regardless. He is a professional and an American and can do whatever the hell he wants. At least he gives you all something to write about I guess…

By: Ian

Ian — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:11:13 +0000

Sadly, not a word in this piece is off the mark. That’s why at 27 we still think of Donovan as a kid, and talk about him going to Europe to “develop.”

He is what he is- a spoiled brat seeking attention. Now back to talking about Americans who actually want to improve their game…….

By: Louis

Louis — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:43:07 +0000

He’s an unmotivated immature kid. We always knew that. He only shows up in games when someone shoves him or pisses him off by saying something. US Soccer is to blame for making him the poster child of the national team. That should have been any of the other guys we have who really fight and put the effort in at every turn and don’t whine about the hamburgers not being good at his club destination.

One of my big complaints with Kartik’s writing is that he appears to be so up Donovan a@# all the time, so this is a welcome change.

By: Joey Clams

Joey Clams — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:09:29 +0000

I don’t know if you’ve been paying attention lately, Adam, because Donovan has made plenty of noise about wanting to get back to Europe.

By: Adam Edg

Adam Edg — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:05:02 +0000

I think Landycakes is happy being the big fish in the little pond. Over here is a huge soccer star – he is the face of MLS and the USMNT.
In Europe he was another above average player. If he had some patience and humility, he might have reached the point of stardom in Germany. Would he be a superstar like Becks, probably not. But he would have become a familiar name in the DEL and Champions League.
Instead he insists on his comfortable life where he can be THE MAN. Then Becks came along and ruined it. His tantrum should be enough to elicit a serious fine and possible transfer. Luckily he plays for Bruce Arena who loves him more than God.
Landycakes may have a lot of talent, but he will never be one of the greats until he learns to be humble. Gullit saw potential and Landycakes pouted. Perhaps such an accomplished coach should be listened to. I highly doubt that it was Gullit’s lack of tactical play and coaching that led to his dismissal. Rather he couldn’t figure out how to get the league’s star primadonna to do what he wanted…

By: Joey Clams

Joey Clams — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:34:15 +0000

Donovan was certainly right to have complained about the MVP farce.

By: Nicolas

Nicolas — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:23:35 +0000

You guys don’t know what you’re talking about. Yet again.

Donovan is a great leader and the best player ever produced by the US.