Comments on: USA 3 – 1 Ecuador; Donovan Earns #10 with a Hat Trick

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 15:54:01 +0000

He will forever be referred to as ‘Landycakes’ because he got scared and ran from Europe instead of trying to prove himself at a higher level. Same thing with not playing in the Copa America. It’s a much tougher tourney than the Gold Cup, which coincidentally is played in the US, just like this friendly was, just like all US friendlies seem to be played. The excuse that he wants to play for the Galaxy instead is such a cop-out, because of the retarded format of the MLS, regular season games matter little. Go ahead and defend Landycakes, but he’s pathetic and everything that is wrong with US Soccer. Players like Clint Dempsey, Bobby Convey, Tim Howard, Taylor Twellman, and Brian McBride should be held in much higher esteem.

By: Gilbert

Gilbert — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 12:34:50 +0000

People criticizing Donovan for wanting to play in only 1 tournament this summer are just looking for something to complain about. This national team is more than 1 player – LD knows that; more people need to realize that. You don’t build a team “around” one player; it’s not fair to the team, it’s not fair to the player. The team needs to learn how to play in big games without him. Younger players need to experience big-game atmosphere without LD. His playing in Copa America in 2007 really doesn’t affect his ability to play in 2010 World Cup. This is the perfect year for lots of experimenting with the national team – the only must-win games we have are in the Gold Cup. All the rest are icing on the cake.

Galaxy pays his salary. They have the right to limit his time away from the club. He is expected to lead the Galaxy to success and have them prepared for when Beckham gets here. It’s good to see he’s taking his role seriously. For both club and country.

By: Connor

Connor — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 04:13:30 +0000

I understand the conflict and need for balance between country and club, and so – unlike some fans – I would not be as angry at Donovan if he refused to play this summer, because you don’t have to play for your country. However, I would be dissapointed, as a fan, and dissapointed for the country and for Donovan. If Donovan would/could play like this game (goals aside, his style of play was on fire) he would be a god. I think it is very important for the #10 of a team to be present at summer tournaments with such competition as Argentina and Brazil in order to be ready for the World Cup, because the only other time he’ll play such competition on that competitive of a stage is at the World Cup. I’m interested to see what others think.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 04:05:44 +0000

As a Galaxy fan, I guess I have to ask: Where is it written that country needs to come before club? Yes, it would be wonderful if there were no conflicts, but there are. So should a player choose one over the other, or go for balance the way Landon seems to be doing? What do you think?

I’ll also be talking about the topic this week in the LA Galaxy Offside blog. (Click on my name above for the link.)

By: Connor

Connor — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 04:04:39 +0000

Hi Chuck. I agree that this seems to be a “quality win over a quality side.”

I don’t know anything about Ecuador’s missing players, I wasn’t aware of that.

I think Bruce’s comment about the disposition of the other team was very insightful. Ecuador seemed very strong in the first half, however it was as if they gave up in the second part of the second half. But, you’re right, it could have been a number of things: the weather, lack of fitness, missing key playmakers, apathy, etc.

Personally, I think this is the best possible team the USA could have fielded. I mean, I don’t mean that absolutely, but I think it was a very well-constructed team. I think the Donovan-Ching combo was brilliant and I was very happy with the group of players that Bob called up. I thought he did a nice job of picking from both MLS and Europe, and gave some newcomers a chance.

By: chuck

chuck — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 03:45:51 +0000

This appears to be a quality win over a quality side. I heard the announcers say that Ecuador was missing two key players. I might ask the guys on the Ecuador blog if that is true and how important these two players are.

The second point was something that Bruce Arena said in the early going, and that is, basically, you don’t know what the disposition of the other team is going to be, meaning, are they out to win, or are they just happy to be in Tampa Bay…? I guess we’ll never know, but I don’t think we got Ecuador’s A-game. Maybe that was because of one of the above reasons, maybe it was the weather… who knows?

My final thought is this:
Was this the best possible team that the USA could have put on the field at this moment in time? Seriously — at this point in time (meaning, you can’t play Pablo at D-mid because he’s injured, and you can’t say something like “McBride would have been better than E.J.” because McBride has retired… So, whaddayathink?

By: Connor

Connor — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 02:39:08 +0000

I think you make a valid point Justin. I believe it was Eric Wynalda who expressed your opinion today during the game. I would be very dissapointed if Donovan wasn’t present in Copa America. This Ecuadorian side was very good, and look at what he did.

Laurie I’m still looking for highlights.

By: Justin

Justin — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 02:16:21 +0000

ya nice win for the US. but wat is this talk about Landon not playing in the Copa America to be with his club for when Beckham comes, that is an excuse… Besides his 2002 decent run in the WC, he doesnt like playin on the big stage thats why he is in L.A instead of the Champions League or somewhere in europe

By: Laurie

Laurie — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 23:44:17 +0000

I couldn’t see the game, so I’m relying on you to post pictures of Landon’s goals as soon as they appear on YouTube.