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Commenter Counterpoint: Landycakes Back To Europe?

September 24th, 2008 | By: Brooks Peck | 15 Comments »

Commenter Counterpoint is a new feature that highlights two opposing comments from a previous post and calls upon you (yes, you, still reading this without your pants on) to choose a side and voice your own opinion.

This week, we have the topic of Landon Donovan potentially moving back to Europe, as first mentioned in Monday’s News Nuggets. Both Soccernet and SI.com have chimed in on this story this week, but here’s what your fellow commenters had to say…

First up, GS:

“Now Landycakes is an interesting topic. Kid has amazing skill when he’s performing at his best but he does not always perform at his best. I think he’s weak mentally and that a move to Europe just wouldn’t be in his best interest. He can make decent money living in the states and won’t ever have to deal with being ridiculed. On the other hand, if he actually stops peeing his pants every time he plays in big games he could really do some great things in Europe…but I don’t see him taking off the diaper so I’ll suggest he stays home.”

Given Landon’s previous unsuccessful, home-sickness inducing stints in Germany, I’d say those are some valid points. I can’t say I get the negative connotation GS puts on peeing one’s pants, though. Everyone knows you ain’t cool unless you pee your pants. But whatever.

To counter GS’ point of view, here’s what Kyle had to say:

“People need to give Landon a break. He went over at age 16 and 19. He was going through a little bit of everything that Freddy, Jozy, and Clint are going through. It was hard for Leverkusen who was one of the stronger German sides to give Landon enough time to get used to playing which is similar to how Benfica and Monaco are using Adu. There were older more experienced players that are easier to call up because you know what you are getting which is how Jozy is getting shunned right now. He also had to deal with different managers and was constantly trying to earn his place like Dempsey is experiencing now. Put any of his doubters in a foreign country [at] age 16 by themselves and they are gonna have a rough time too. He’s the best player the US has ever had he just got thrown in with the lions to start his career.”

Valid points there, as well. But should we cut Landon slack because he was as young as he was when he first went over? What about all the Brazilian kids who get gobbled up by Euro clubs when they’re, like, nine years old and go on to successful careers over there?

What do the rest of you think?

Also, on a somewhat related topic, don’t forget that as the end of September draws near, so does the naming of our historic first-ever Commenter of the Month. In case you forget, the CotM, or the commenter who displays the most supreme level of awesomeness over the course of the given month, will not only get the honor and reverence associated with such a title, but their very own post to spout off on whatever topic they choose (as long as it’s at least kind of related to US Soccer, of course).

So, do your thing, people. And yes, the puppies are still in danger…

Tags: Billy Madison, Commenter Counterpoint, Commenter of the Month, If peeing in your pants is cool consider me Miles Davis, Landon Donovan, Mrs. Landycakes, Puppy Herpes, Thoughts

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Comments

By BMatthews | September 24th, 2008 at 9:35 am

Bah! I totally forgot about the puppies!
Normally I’m a Landon-basher. I think it stems from watching highlight reels of the man being awesome, but whenever I watch the MNT he does nothing but take up a roster spot and help slow the game down. But I think that Kyle has the better argument here, Landy was sort of the first of the “new breed” (read: good) Americans to test the European waters and was under utilized.
In the end I think that he’s in exactly the same position as Adu, but Adu has no interest in the MLS

Posted from United States

By Euro Soccer Daily | September 24th, 2008 at 9:43 am

Not again….shall we bring up the Leverkusen debacle

Posted from United States

By DC DC | September 24th, 2008 at 9:48 am

Think globally, act locally…I’m doing my part for the puppies.

I’d love to see Donovan at BM. In fact, I’ve already bought the BM Donovan jersey! He’d get some high-quality experience in a supported league, though he’d have to fight for prime Prima Donna status on the team.

My overwhelming concern is for his wife’s modelling career where women don’t shave their legs…bah.

By BMatthews | September 24th, 2008 at 9:57 am

I actually can’t pick a good league for Landycakes. He doesn’t really fit in anywhere. I guess Germany is as good a place as any…you think his wife could “act” in a German nihilist (we believe in nothing!) film?

Posted from United States

By Brooks Peck | September 24th, 2008 at 10:34 am

DC DC: When you say “I’d love to see Donovan at BM. In fact, I’ve already bought the BM Donovan jersey!” you might want to clarify what BM stands for…there are a few different connotations there that could drastically alter the image those comments evoke.

BMatt: If Bunny Lebowski can hold her own in a scene with Karl Hungus, I’m pretty sure anyone can.

Posted from United States

By BMatthews | September 24th, 2008 at 1:48 pm

Landon isn’t really what I wants in a forward, thats another problem I have with him. I either want small great ball-skills guys or tall guys who are strong and can muscle defenders. Landon is small and strong(ish) which means he is everything that nobody could dream.

I think I just confused myself

Posted from United States

By kyle | September 24th, 2008 at 2:32 pm

Hahaha it looks like I have one vote so far and everyone else is kinda in the middle. I vote for Kyle as well. Commenter of the month here I come. Take them puppies out for all I care though.

Posted from United States

By GS | September 24th, 2008 at 2:49 pm

Landon stated in an article somewhere that he feels he’s at the peak of his skill/conditioning. He’s scoring tons of goals in MLS and making over a million a year. Why would he want to give that all up when there’s a realistic chance he’ll fall flat on his face? Peeing his pants and joking aside, I don’t think it would be a smart personal choice for Landon to move to Europe when considering all factors.

How much of the top talent in MLS, regardless of age, have moved to Europe and not gotten consistent playing time? It would be like Landon is starting all over again. And anybody who thinks that Landon will transfer and make the starting 11 right away is delusional, it just does not work that way.

Posted from United States

By Pseudinho | September 24th, 2008 at 3:22 pm

I’m gonna have to agree with Kyle. Age is definitely something to take into account. And as far as the number of Brazilians that do it. The soccer culture in this country is nowhere near theirs. They have fellow countrymen to look up to. We haven’t had a star that was respected by any club or country in Europe. Once we get that then I would be a little more critical of our young guys that go over and flop. I say third times a charm or three strikes and your out. Eitherway, I feel LandyCakes needs to head on over across the pond and see if he has matured or see if he really just isn’t good enough. We need our players to start embracing the challenges of playing against tougher competition. Not shying away from that.

Posted from United States

By Brooks Peck | September 24th, 2008 at 6:10 pm

Well said, Pseudinho.

By kyle | September 24th, 2008 at 6:12 pm

Donovan is by far the best player we have and if anybody can play for an upper table team its him.

Posted from United States

By elle | September 24th, 2008 at 6:48 pm

but what will his wife do? do they make super cheap/crappy films in Europe?

Posted from United States

By Brooks | September 24th, 2008 at 6:59 pm

Elle: You’ve obviously never seen Das Erste Semester…

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119072/

By kyle | September 25th, 2008 at 12:43 am

And elle which sounds like a girl is obviously jealous of Bianca’s perfect body.

Posted from United States

By Travis | September 25th, 2008 at 10:21 pm

I think it should be pointed out that not only is Bianca much taller than Landycakes, she is five years older.

It’s now or never for Donovan. He can’t make the jump much later, and it would be a good situation if he lands in Bayern. Although I don’t know if that’ll ever happen.

Comments are closed