Landon Donovan's Swan Song

[dawg80]

First, here are 5 of his goals.

http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2...national-team/

Said to be his best ever. Whatever. Just someone's opinion.

Tonite the USA plays Ecuador and LD will play the first 30 mins, then gracefully bow out of USMNT play forever.

He is the best player in US history. And he has done so much for US Soccer on the international scene. Way more important than his goals, or even his assists, has been his play in the midfield over the years. So many "little things" that go mostly unnoticed, unless you're a student of the game (like me) and understand how critical small things like possessing the ball, and de-possessing an opponent is, even when that occurs 60-80 yards away from the goal. And LD's speed! Don't know what his 40-time is, but especially in his youth (not so much these days) he was FAST! So many crucial plays made simply because he could out run the other guys.

Claudio Reyna is the second best player in US history. Great midfielder that did all that hard work that wins matches. LD is Reyna with speed and pizzazz!

Have cleared my schedule for this evening, 5:45PM our time on ESPN.

[ITdrummer]

First, here are 5 of his goals.

http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2...national-team/

Said to be his best ever. Whatever. Just someone's opinion.

Tonite the USA plays Ecuador and LD will play the first 30 mins, then gracefully bow out of USMNT play forever.

He is the best player in US history. And he has done so much for US Soccer on the international scene. Way more important than his goals, or even his assists, has been his play in the midfield over the years. So many "little things" that go mostly unnoticed, unless you're a student of the game (like me) and understand how critical small things like possessing the ball, and de-possessing an opponent is, even when that occurs 60-80 yards away from the goal. And LD's speed! Don't know what his 40-time is, but especially in his youth (not so much these days) he was FAST! So many crucial plays made simply because he could out run the other guys.

Claudio Reyna is the second best player in US history. Great midfielder that did all that hard work that wins matches. LD is Reyna with speed and pizzazz!

Have cleared my schedule for this evening, 5:45PM our time on ESPN.

Can't wait! Such a cool guy.

[dawg80]

USA 1 Ecuador 1 Final

LD, and the US, unlucky tonite, wow! LD's shot hit on the inside of the post, partially crossing the line, but not enough and then bounced out, straight to their GK.

And holy moly! helluva shot by Ecuador's Valencia to tie it up. Wicked, wicked shot. Which is why he is one of the best goal scorers in the world.

USA is oh, so young. Future is very bright. Klinsman is building something special. These youngsters are fast, skilled, and confident too! Very impressive group of young players. It's a new era. Veterans like Beasley, Dempsey, Altidore, Bradley will guide these youngsters to great things.

Speaking of Altidore, he had an awesome game tonite. We need him healthy. He is so strong up top. Makes a huge difference.

US plays again on ESPN Tuesday vs. Honduras. I'll be watching.

[revf]

USA 1 Ecuador 1 Final

LD, and the US, unlucky tonite, wow! LD's shot hit on the inside of the post, partially crossing the line, but not enough and then bounced out, straight to their GK.

And holy moly! helluva shot by Ecuador's Valencia to tie it up. Wicked, wicked shot. Which is why he is one of the best goal scorers in the world.

USA is oh, so young. Future is very bright. Klinsman is building something special. These youngsters are fast, skilled, and confident too! Very impressive group of young players. It's a new era. Veterans like Beasley, Dempsey, Altidore, Bradley will guide these youngsters to great things.

Speaking of Altidore, he had an awesome game tonite. We need him healthy. He is so strong up top. Makes a huge difference.

US plays again on ESPN Tuesday vs. Honduras. I'll be watching.

We have some great young players. They just need development as a unit.

Altidore played great tonight. Made some good runs and stretches the field. His shot was oh so close to going in.

He needs more playing time to develop. Sunderland is not working out.

Still not sold on Wondolowski.

[dawg80]

Wondo, for San Jose, is a great MLS player. His talents don't seem to transfer to the international game well. Might be because of Klinsman's scheme, and what he expects from his strikers. Yet! JK chose Wondo for the WC team and continues to call him up for the USMNT. But I agree, Wondo needs to show something positive on the international stage.

[dawg80]

USA 1 Honduras 1

Looked like a rerun of the Ecuador game.

Altidore had a very good 1st half, then disappeared. Dempsey was just taking up space and accomplishing nothing. He's lazy and needs to be booted from the USMNT. Bradley was put in as the attacking MF and had a crappy game, as did Diskerud as holding MF. Both players out of their natural positions. Klinsman is an idiot.

Some of the youngsters are showing promise, and flashes of brilliance, but I'm not sure Klinsman is the right coach to help these players develop. Sometimes I can see what Klinsman is trying to do, and I support it. Other times I scratch my head thinking, "what the ---k!" He is hellbent to fit players into a system he wants, even when those players are better suited for other roles. He's a good coach. US Soccer career record of 33-10-13. But, he's also too damn stubborn for his, and the program's ultimate good.

JMO

[revf]

Chandler was beat way too many times on defense.

Jones was forced to foul or almost foul to cover.

More injuries that seem to reflect over training.

With the diamond you have to have two forwards that can stretch the field, Altidore has flashes of brilliance but fades away. Dempsey was a no show (maybe still in Seattle).

Giving up the late goal seems to be a thing with Klinsmann's teams.