Posts Tagged ‘Landon Donovan’

Featured, U.S. Soccer

About That Donovan Non-Dive (R.E.S.P.E.C.T.)

Tim Howard scored for Everton, which is the United States soccer story of the day. (And it should be. That was crazy.)

Had the American keeper not booted the ball 100 yards, however, you have to think we’d spend at least a little (read: too much) time discussing Landon Donovan’s non-dive in the first half.

If you haven’t seen the play, get to your TV at 8 p.m. tonight and watch FSC’s replay. Or just know that Donovan beat Sam Ricketts, who crossed behind the Everton midfielder and looked to trip him up… expect the referee did not agree and did not blow his whistle.

We don’t want to get into the “did or didn’t Donovan dive” discussion–although we’re inclined to agree with SBNationSoccer just a bit…–because there is a bigger point. (more…)

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News in brief

TUES September 13 (AM): Champions Leagues, Gyan gone, EPL looking at NFL

The CONCACAF Champions League group stage continues tonight, but not before UEFA’s Champions League begins the same stage.

In the local version the Los Angeles Galaxy are in Morelia to take on Monarcas. The fans there know and love Galaxy star Landon Donovan. And by know and love I mean absolutely hate his guts. Nevertheless, Donovan says he takes it all in stride and won’t be too impacted by the crowd as he seeks to lead his club to a dominant lead atop Group A.

The Group B leaders, the Colorado Rapids, welcome a Bob Bradley-less Santos. Permanent coach or not, Santos and the Rapids are the best two teams in the group and Gary Smith will put out a strong 11 in hopes of getting a nice cushion.

Across the Atlantic, Arsene Wenger has expressed concern that his club is falling behind other big name teams, namely Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, because of a lack of finances. Things have been grim for Wenger lately, and might continue to go south with his team taking on Dortmund later today.

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News in brief

FRI Sept. 2 (AM): Pinto, USMNT, La Liga, and More

He won’t be available to lead his side as they take on the USMNT tonight (11:00 PM ET), but the Costa Rican National Team have reached a verbal agreement with Colombian coach Jorge Luis Pinto. Pinto, who coached the team in the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign before being fired, will likely take the helm on October 7 when Costa Rica hosts Brazil. Interim coach Ronald Gonzalez coaches tonight.

While Costa Rica are busy hosting the Seleção, the Washington Post reports that the USMNT will play Honduras in Miami a day later (6:00 PM ET, Fox Soccer Channel).

Anyone looking for some insight as to where Landon Donovan will lineup tonight need look no further than here.

Same goes for Carlos Bocanegra, who spoke with MLS Extra Time.

International fixtures and friendlies are already underway. A complete listing Here.

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News in brief

FRI Aug. 19 (PM): Keane Arrives, Wegner Examined, Racism

The Los Angeles Galaxy introduced their newest prize, Irish striker Robbie Keane. He offered usual platitudes, including the David Beckhem-esque: “I’m not here for holidays. I’m here to play football. For me, first and foremost that’s the most important thing. Everything else is irrelevant for me. It’s about football, always has been.” This is going to be fun, but call us when the Galaxy win the championship, you know? We’ll be on holiday.

FC Dallas jettisoned underperforming Eric Alexander to Portland for Jeremy Hall. As Sheryl Crow once sang, a change will do you good. (Yes, we know it’s actually “would,” but we need present tense, not conditional.)

Arsene Wenger could be in trouble with UEFA for not playing nicely or some such.

Run of Play, for my money the best soccer site on the Internet, drops bombs with an excellent essay on the state of racism in soccer. Your takeaway: If you see something, say something. (But it’s much more nuanced than that.) If you read one thing today, make it this piece by Andrew Thomas.

What you watching this weekend? The Shin Guardian has your list. (Whit, wasn’t this your job?) We’ll take Arsenal-Liverpool and the new-look Galaxy versus Landon Donovan’s old team, the San Jose Earthquakes.

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10 Kit Essay, United States, World Cup 2014

If the USMNT had a Draft Pick….

ANTHONY MANNINO- The USA- Mexico game exhibited that the USMNT has its fair share of problems at key positions. This made me wonder (after watching the recent NBA draft) if the US could take one great player at one position what position should they take. To decide what position I will delve into what went wrong during the Gold Cup, and find out what position the USMNT needs the most.

The only limitation is that I will be picking a position for the US not a particular player, and with the expectation that the position I pick would be an immediate starter. Really, this is just a fun way of looking at what the USMNT is missing. The US is now on the clock with the first pick in the draft. (more…)

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Gold Cup

So That Was Fun. Now Start Landon Donovan Again.

NOAH DAVIS – I have a piece up on MLSsoccer.com arguing that Clint Dempsey helped Landon Donovan get his mojo back Wednesday night in Houston. The Fulham midfielder scored, but the Los Angeles Galaxy star created the goal, and Dempsey’s celebration made sure he and the rest of the world knew it.

(There’s also a case to be made the Dempsey helped Freddy Adu cement his importance as a someone who can make a difference off the bench. Do we remember his perfect pass, a looping, left-footed ball that probably no one else on the roster makes, if the Texan doesn’t convert Donovan’s brilliant cross? But that’s a discussion for another time. )

Bob Bradley was not wrong to start Donovan on the bench against Panama, but he needs to bring back his star for the match against Mexico. It’s not even a choice.

The play is obvious. Take off Sacha Kljestan, who had a brutal night against the Panamanians just three days after shining versus Jamaica, and insert the United States’ all-time leading goalscorer. Push Clint Dempsey up top with Juan Agudelo, leave Alejandro Bedoya out on the wing, and call it a formation.

I think we’re done here. Your thoughts?

 

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Gold Cup, United States

Thoughts on USA-Panama

ANTHONY MANNINO in Houston- It was not pretty, but the USMNT has now achieved their goal and will play in the Gold Cup finals. Again Bob Bradley made the gusty move to sit Landon Donovan start Alejandro Bedoya. That was not the only surprised Bradley had up the sleeve of his sweat jacket, as the American manager replaced Juan Agudelo with Freddy Adu. The teenage phenomenon who seems to have a new address every six months made all the difference with his first action in the Gold Cup. (more…)

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Gold Cup, United States

USA vs. Panama: Three Things to Watch

TRAVIS CLARK – We’ve been here before haven’t we?

The second clash of Panama and the United States in this Gold Cup should look a little bit different than last time around, as a disappointing performance in Tampa Bay led to the U.S.’ first defeat in Gold Cup group play ever.

Advantage to the U.S. this time around, as the Panamanians will be exhausted in the wake of Sunday’s 120-minute effort put in to even make it this far. However, there’s still going to be a higher level of confidence in the opposition camp, having defeated the U.S. once already this summer.

One could argue that Panama defeated a different U.S. team, and in some ways it’s true — Tim Ream seems to have lost his starting spot after giving away a horrific penalty in the previous matchup, with Carlos Bocanegra slotting into the middle and Eric Lichaj out on the left. That, and Bob Bradley appears on the verge of a formation change, at least for the time being.

There’s still no official word on Jozy Altidore’s hamstring injury, but barring a late, unexpected recovery, he’s probably done for the tournament. That’s one of many things to watch for tonight.

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Gold Cup, United States

Should Alejandro Bedoya Start Over Landon Donovan Against Panama?

NOAH DAVIS – I’m on the record saying Alejandro Bedoya’s inclusion into the starting line up was one of the major keys to Sunday’s defeat of Jamaica. And frankly, I don’t even think this is worth debating, so I’ll just point out that his energy put the Reggae Boyz on their heels early, and they would stay there the entire match.

I’m not saying the United States wouldn’t have won without the midfielder’s efforts; I’m just saying he made it much easier for them to do so.

So here’s a better point for debate: Can you make a case that the midfielder should start ahead of Landon Donovan against Panama on Wednesday? (more…)

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Gold Cup, United States

Notes from Kansas City: Ream criticsm, Dempsey’s role, Donovan answers health concerns

JON ARNOLD in Kansas City, Kan. — Here’s a notebook with three quick hits from this afternoon’s training in Kansas City.

Reams of criticism: Much of the criticism after the USMNT’s loss to Panama during the weekend fell squarely on the shoulders of the young center back Tim Ream.

The most obvious incident Ream was involved in was when he gave away a penalty leading to the second Panama goal, but he struggled with the Panama attack on more than one occasion.

Still, goalkeeper Tim Howard said mistakes are to be expected from inexperienced players.

“That’s how you learn,” Howard said. “With the young players you don’t mind; there’s a learning curve, and that’s important. When it’s the older players like myself, and I screw up? Yeah, you get a little bit more frustrated.” (more…)

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