Landon Donovan has his critics but Soccer 365’s Pat Johnston believes the U.S. national team midfielder is the one world class player on the Red, White and Blue and his performance at the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa led the team to the final.

By Pat Johnston

Venturing into uncharted territory in the Confederations Cup, the US bowed out of the final with a second half collapse.  The US capitulation, to the feet of Brazil, was a bittersweet ending to a week in which the world saw a team move from doormat status to party crashers.

Beginning with the miraculous Sunday which saw the Americans overcome a six goal deficit to shockingly advance to the semis and unceremoniously dump mighty Spain out of the tourney, the week was a coming out of a national team representing a disinterested nation.

The victory over Spain was the most stunning upset the European Champions had experienced since the English fleet stopped the mighty Spanish Armada in the time of Elizabeth the First.  Just like the bravery displayed by the sailors of an emerging sea power in 1588, the courage of some of US Soccer’s players portrayed a national side on the ascendancy.

Accolades to Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard, Onyewu, Demerit and others but to me the man of the tournament has to be Landon Donovan.  Anywhere and everywhere, Donovan was the consummate team player and leader of a side that was down and out only a week before its historic encounter with Brazil.

Even the early matches which saw the US succumb to Italy 3-1 and Brazil 3-0 in the “group of death” matches, Donovan was a shining light in a dismal and dark camp.  Wearing the captain’s arm band he exhibited the passion, energy and leadership which the US was in short supply of at the tourney’s commencement. 

Handing the band over to Carlos Bocanegra for the match against Egypt, the US took the field, in what appeared for all practical purposes, to close out the schedule and head home for some serious soul searching.

Donovan’s soul would have been easy to find, it was left out on the pitches of South Africa.

While he has been labeled as a sensation or a fraud (depending on who is spoken too) in the past, I dare anyone to say that Landon Donovan is over estimated anymore.

While others garnered personal honors or cemented positions on the US team for 2010, Donovan did something even more substantial, he earned the respect of any knowledgeable fan of the game and showed the world that the US does indeed have a world class player.

Do not be surprised to see him plying his trade somewhere in Europe in the next campaign.

HAVE YOUR SAY…
Is Donovan the one truly ‘world class player’ for the U.S.?  Will he make a move to Europe in the near future?  Send your emails to Soccer 365 by CLICKING HERE.

Pat Johnston is a regular contributor to Soccer 365.  He also writes for his blog The Language of Soccer.

READER FEEDBACK

Donovan has had the skill, the speed, and the vision for years now. What he has lacked is the effort level from box to box needed to lead a team to great heights. He has displayed that now, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see at least a couple offers from Spanish and Italian teams. He needs to go to Europe, maybe not to flesh out his game, but the experience will make him that mush more of a leader for the US MNT.

Jeff F

Wow Pat, you have really made quite a leap in regards to Landon. Did you forget that he was just on loan to Bayern Munich and he failed to impress. He had the opportunities but yet couldn't convert. Don't get me wrong, he is the best attacking option the US has, but a leader he is not. Landon is good when Landon can worry only about Landon. When Landon thinks to much and when there is to much going on around him, he doesn't produce. I'll be interested to see what he does in the Mexico game in August. I do think he has matured but to call the only US world class player is a stretch.

The truly world class player on the team is Tim Howard. He is by far the best player on the team and would do well on any team, in any league. He has proven to be a rock and is only getting better.

Please don't over hype Landon. It's not good for him or the team.

Matthew B

True, Landon showed that he was the class on the American side. But Landon will never be considered a world class player until he shoots first when he's wide open in the box.  Against Spain, Dempsey shouldn't have scored off the poor Ramos touch after the deflection, because Donovan should have BURIED a wide open shot Feilhaber set up for him. Instead he passed into three defenders.  Landon looks to pass way too often!  SHOOT!!!
 
J Hutch
Charlotte, NC

Donavan is definitely a world class player. His counter attack against Brazil was text book. He has vision and pace. He knows how to assist, score, and defend. He brings his heart to every game. Still, I think Dempsey and Howard are world class as well. Bradley and Gooch are too.     

Dan G