September 20, 2003

Kansas City 1-4 San Jose: Landon Donovan is the greatest American soccer player ever. Perhaps not the highest bar to hurdle but he did score the first hat trick in SJ Earthquakes history tonight. The first two, especially, were real beauties. I wonder if he'll be playing in Germany next year, make another deal to stay in San Jose, or get sold in the next wave of Chelsea purchases.

posted by billsaysthis to soccer at 11:25 PM - 4 comments

I hope he plays in England.

posted by StarFucker at 02:55 AM on September 21, 2003

He'd make an impressive partner for Mr. Owen, certainly. Excellent ability to set up and also to finish, with the speed of Baros. Not that I'm going too far overboard.

posted by billsaysthis at 11:00 AM on September 21, 2003

Landon Donovan is good player, but he's not a pure scorer, and shouldn't be used as a striker when playing high caliber opposition. I think he waits too much for the high-percentage shot, rather than a try the unexpected shot that can surpise a defense and goalkeeper. (A prime example that Americans fans of the sport would remember is the goal Clint Mathis scored against Korea in the 2002 WCF) Donovan also at times chokes on some of the easier chances that he gets. Another example: the WCF 2002 versus Germany. If he's going to be considered the best in the USA and be a top-notch scorer, he's going to have to convert a few more of those crucial chances. He just doesn't seem to have that "killer instinct" against tough opposition. Unfortunately, a leaky KC Wizard defense with an overweight keeper doesn't qualify.

posted by GoDizzGo at 11:43 AM on September 21, 2003

Donovan did well... I think he would be just fine in Europe. He is still young, he could learn so much.

posted by StarFucker at 08:38 AM on September 22, 2003

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