Landon Donovan Returning to LA Galaxy

[Ulrich]

Dude, why the fucking hate. You are being ridiculous.

What would be awkward would be all the fans and media asking constantly why he isn't being called up. I think that's pretty clear. My prediction is that Donovan will take the high road and rule it out - at least in the short term. If he doesn't - it's hardly vain and narcissistic.

It's not hate, it's reality, and that's a whole lot less ridiculous than throwing colorful adjectives around - but hey, do what you gotta do.

If the media and fans mention it, it shows they're just homers looking to cause trouble. Klinsmann cut the guy from the team for a reason before a WC, and he has the current team into the Hex and has done so comfortably. There is no reason why anybody should think JK would even entertain calling LD into the squad, especially since he's not in game shape and hasn't been for two years. And yes, if LD even mentions it, it is hugely narcissistic; nobody in their right mind ever publicly turns down a position they've not been offered or are in consideration for.

 

[RockShrimp]

Lulz.

 

[Gotham Gator]

It's not hate, it's reality, and that's a whole lot less ridiculous than throwing colorful adjectives around - but hey, do what you gotta do.

If the media and fans mention it, it shows they're just homers looking to cause trouble. Klinsmann cut the guy from the team for a reason before a WC, and he has the current team into the Hex and has done so comfortably. There is no reason why anybody should think JK would even entertain calling LD into the squad, especially since he's not in game shape and hasn't been for two years. And yes, if LD even mentions it, it is hugely narcissistic; nobody in their right mind ever publicly turns down a position they've not been offered or are in consideration for.

Media and fans are going to mention it, bring it up, ask him, ask Klinsmann, and the questions will get louder once the team stumbles, as they will inevitably do. It may be stupid, but it is going to happen. The USMNT doesn't need the distraction, and Donovan doesn't either. He is going to get asked about it first chance anyone gets. It won't be his narcissism bringing it up, it will be one of the dozens of reporters at his first press conference. To be clear, I don't think he deserves a call up after all that time away. I just think the questions are going to buzz around until someone puts a stop to it, and he is really the only guy who can do that.

 

[engine46]

While we are on the subject, can anyone name Donovan's last goal for the national team? Give the opponent and score - bonus points for the person making the assist.

AND NO CHEATING! Do this from memory only. Don't look it up.

I'll give it a shot- Mexico, dos a cero. Got me on the assist though.

 

[Gotham Gator]

I'll give it a shot- Mexico, dos a cero. Got me on the assist though.

You got it! World Cup Qualifier against Mexico in 2013. He put the dos in "dos a cero". Have to watch video below to see who made the assist. Don't claim to be surprised.

 

[FredMertz]

I don't see this being a big deal aside from his name. Don't think he can compete at as high of a level. With his age and being out of the game as long as he has it'll be tough to get back to full fitness in time to do much.

He's younger than all 3 of our DPs.

 

[Goodfella]

He's younger than all 3 of our DPs.

I think the fitness is the bigger issue than the age

 

[Gotham Gator]

I think the fitness is the bigger issue than the age

Totally, but age means fitness is harder to gain. I still think he can get in good enough shape to contribute by the time the playoffs roll around - that's not for almost 2 more months.

 

[413Blue]

I'm not surprised, he retired young enough to where a comeback seemed possible. If I remember correctly, he stated that he retired early because his body just wasn't holding up and he was suffering with various pains. He has been out for a while, but it's been less than two years since he played competitive ball, so it's not much different from an extended injury. 21 months of rest can do a hell of a lot for an athletes body, so assuming he was thinking about this for several months and is in decent enough shape, I could see him having an impact this season, and still being a quality player next season.
I don't buy into the "hate" some ITT have been giving him here, criticizing his "idiotic decision" to retire early. If his body was not holding up well, and he figured his national team career was over, can't really criticize him for retiring. After allowing his body to recover without the stress of rushing back to MLS duty, he could, in theory, be in a position to have a few more solid seasons.

I would not be shocked if he made it, but I don't expect to see him in Russia.

 

[413Blue]

It's also important to remember that he has still been training, but has been sitting on the bench behind Hat Trick Rick and Spray Dan.

 

[Ulrich]

I think the fitness is the bigger issue than the age

Exactly. When he came back from his mid-career sabbatical (which was only a few months), his fitness was pretty bad and it took a number of games to work himself back into shape. I'm sure he's been exercising the last 2 years, but without an everyday regimen that everything else is secondary to, his fitness is going to be a shadow of its former level. Throw in new eating & drinking habits and he may not even be at preferred game weight. Even if this plan was concocted the moment NdJ started negotiations with his new club, and I highly doubt he agreed to it the moment Arena contacted him, that's still not a ton of time to ramp up his fitness. A "semi-fit" person giving maximal effort, or at least the effort level his mind remembers him being able to perform at, is prone to injury.

 

[Goodfella]

Totally, but age means fitness is harder to gain. I still think he can get in good enough shape to contribute by the time the playoffs roll around - that's not for almost 2 more months.

that's fair.

 

[SoupInNYC]

https://twitter.com/x/status/773917430313877504

https://twitter.com/x/status/773930648125878273

https://twitter.com/x/status/773934111371255809

https://twitter.com/x/status/773937807115087872

https://twitter.com/x/status/773942351223934976

Lol at Sourpuss Lalas making sure that everyone knows that he knew before it leaked.

 

[Gotham Gator]

Wouldn't it be great to hear that the Chicago Fire have a discovery claim on Donovan and are holding up the deal!*







* - yes, I know he is technically a free agent, so this can't happen, but I can dream, can't I?

 

[JGarrettLieb]

He's younger than all 3 of our DPs.

He was never nearly as talented as any of our DP's.

 

[Rimil]

how exactly with 6 games left can a team still be signing players. can he be in their playoff roster too or is it like baseball that he can play the rest of the season but no be in the playoffs.

 

[Keith Putnam]

"...there remains some confusion over what roster mechanism will be used to add Donovan to the Galaxy's roster.

The Galaxy didn't protect Donovan in the 2015 expansion draft and thus lost their right of first refusal to re-sign him, and one source said he's a free agent."

Hmm.

 

[JayH]

Jumping back in a half a dozen games before the playoffs is weak. If you want to commit, go through the rigors of the season from the start. I haven't read anything about this, so even if there is a valid reason for the timing, then wait until next season. I'm a tremendous fan of US soccer, but for whatever reason this doesn't excite me at all.

ETA On the positive side, any publicity boost for the MLS is a good thing.

 

[Paul]

how exactly with 6 games left can a team still be signing players. can he be in their playoff roster too or is it like baseball that he can play the rest of the season but no be in the playoffs.

Any team in MLS can add players that are currently unattached until the roster freeze on Sept. 15th. Any player on a team's roster on that date is eligible for the playoffs.

 

[Albany_NYCFC]

That's a really good question. Right now, there are all kinds of options because so many people are missing. In their lineup when everyone is healthy - as against us, for example - they've got Keane in front of Zardes, Gerrard and dos Santos. My guess is that he would eventually slot into the central spot with Gerrard sliding back where de Jong had been. But that's for later. He will almost certainly come off the bench for a while first.

EDIT - thinking about it some more, I forgot that Zardes is out for the season, so certainly Donovan could take the spot at LW.

Gerrard has been out with a hammy injury too. Not sure if he is back yet but Don Ovan would add depth for sure.