Oh, it was a disaster picture alright.
Said Landon Donovan: "Anybody watching the game will know it wasn’t a red card. The referee, after the game when he watches it, will know it isn’t a red card. Eleven guys from each team were prepared to play the game, but the guy in the middle wasn’t. That was unfortunate because we wanted to put on a good show."
In any event, here is the USMNT quote sheet from last night and my Soccer365 Player Ratings column.
- Greg Seltzer
Posts
10 comments:
Greg--
Good player ratings. I really agree about the red card ruining the game. I have a question about Landon. It seems that fellow international players really respect him as a great player (witness de Rossi seeking him out to trade jerseys, also the Mexican NT and press speak of him in highly favorable terms). As you are someone fairly well connected with teams in Europe, what insight can you offer about what sporting directors and European coaches think of him? It's almost as if other players get what a solid (if not great) player he is, but leaders and management (and USMNT fans as well) don't. Thanks.
It's not necessarily that they don't rate him, they do. It's just that they realize that MLS will require half the moon to let him go. Donovan's value to MLS is higher than it is to European clubs. Does it help that he has yet to give Euro-performances to match his USMNT best? Of course not, but these folks understand that he was just a kid at Leverkusen and placed in a ridiculous position with Bayern. MLS always wants top dollar and then a bit more, which is understandable, but it doesn't "move the merch". Then again, they aren't at all trying to.
Greg--
Thanks. That was a fast response. I wish MLS would recognize that Landon has been a good soldier for them after they rescued him from Leverkusen and let him go for a decent price ($3-5 million?). With Landon's Spanish skills, I think La Liga would be the best, although, for some odd reason, I think Everton would be a tasty landing spot for him.
Ha! I'm chained here working the phones, as I often am at this time of day.
I fully agree that Everton would be a slambangfantastic landing spot. IN La Liga, I think it depends on which club he'd be going to. Obviously a French or Dutch team would be great, but he's past that stuff now. I think we've had enough Bundesliga... unless Werder Bremen calls. He'd fit superbly there
Thing is, $3-5 million ain't gonna get it done. The reasonable would be 7-8, while MLS seems more interested in numbers like 10. In this world economy, that makes the difference.
They could call it the "Smurf Attack" considering the heights of Cahill, Pienaar, Osman, Arteta, and Donovan.
True, but within a giant behind them (Fellaini) and a power forward out front (Yakubu). They are rather difficult to deal with in that regard.
Greg -
Do you think Dempsey would have more of an impact playing on the left for the USA as he does at Fulham?
Hey Greg,
Quick question: Would you rather of had Jozy be invisible in his time on the field and score that goal or play as well as he did and flub that goal? Somebody i know mentioned this and its tough for me to say. what do you think?
^^^
IMO, a goal scored is better than none. :)
Agrees on the ratings. CD seem to have two gears, lackadaisical and full-on effort.
Sorry it took me so long, fellas...
@ Micah: I think I'd have taken the goal last night. In something like a 3-0 win, I'd opt for the solid-all-night effort.
@ Tyler: I'm not sure the field location is what's holding Deuce back some USMNT nights. Sometimes, I think it's the general tactics and sometimes perhaps he just doesn't have as much energy. Hard to say why he's so inconsistent in Red, White & Blue.
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