Landon Donovan's loan spell with Everton has kicked off this week, and a successful run in the English Premier League could be exactly what both he and the US national team needs heading into the World Cup this summer.
Donovan is as influential an attacking player as the US team has, and getting the chance to play and train in the top domestic league in the world is the best way to prepare him for the rigors that he will face in South Africa. Tim Howard (Everton) has evolved into one of the top goalkeepers in the world, and is constantly tested by the standards of the EPL. Clint Dempsey (Fulham) has become a respected attacking threat by the English media after his form during the past year, and if Donovan and Jozy Altidore (Hull) can do the same, the US might be able to make a statement this summer.
Eric Altshule of MLS Talk shares his checklist for Donovan's success at Goodison Park.
Put the ball in the net. Fair or not, Donovan’s success will be defined by whether he scores. Last year during his spell as Bayern Munich, Donovan actually played well. He possessed the ball with skill and was the perfect late game sub to bring a lot of energy onto the pitch as the game was slowing down.
Prove that he is not soft. Ever since he crashed out during his time at Bayer Leverkusen, Donovan has had a reputation as being too soft. Reputations are hard to shake, and despite the fact that he has been enormously successful both for the Galaxy and the USMNT, has played through just about every injury he has ever gotten and reclaimed the Galaxy this season as his team and helped mold it into a winner, many do not consider Donovan hard enough for soccer at the highest levels. When commentators say that Donovan will not be able to handle Merseyside in winter, they are really questioning his manhood. Donovan has a chance to put this nonsense behind him and prove that he has the heart to match his feet.
http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/landon-donovan%E2%80%99s-checklist-for-success-at-everton/7727
Donovan is as influential an attacking player as the US team has, and getting the chance to play and train in the top domestic league in the world is the best way to prepare him for the rigors that he will face in South Africa. Tim Howard (Everton) has evolved into one of the top goalkeepers in the world, and is constantly tested by the standards of the EPL. Clint Dempsey (Fulham) has become a respected attacking threat by the English media after his form during the past year, and if Donovan and Jozy Altidore (Hull) can do the same, the US might be able to make a statement this summer.
Eric Altshule of MLS Talk shares his checklist for Donovan's success at Goodison Park.
Put the ball in the net. Fair or not, Donovan’s success will be defined by whether he scores. Last year during his spell as Bayern Munich, Donovan actually played well. He possessed the ball with skill and was the perfect late game sub to bring a lot of energy onto the pitch as the game was slowing down.
Prove that he is not soft. Ever since he crashed out during his time at Bayer Leverkusen, Donovan has had a reputation as being too soft. Reputations are hard to shake, and despite the fact that he has been enormously successful both for the Galaxy and the USMNT, has played through just about every injury he has ever gotten and reclaimed the Galaxy this season as his team and helped mold it into a winner, many do not consider Donovan hard enough for soccer at the highest levels. When commentators say that Donovan will not be able to handle Merseyside in winter, they are really questioning his manhood. Donovan has a chance to put this nonsense behind him and prove that he has the heart to match his feet.
http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/landon-donovan%E2%80%99s-checklist-for-success-at-everton/7727
No comments:
Post a Comment