The Bundesliga was the absolute worst fit for Donovan's game. He would shine in either the Premiership or La Liga, however he's more than happy playing in MLS. He's already said it's going to take a huge offer for him to move abroad.
Ehh, I usually let nationalism win out, but honestly I have much more fun watching the best players play and enjoying the WC for what it is than going all USA-USA on it. I mean, hell, I don't need Pele or Zico or Maradona....just a team that Emile Heskey wouldn't be good enough to play for.
Oh, wait a minute... wait a minute...! You're saying that some players can shine on only some leagues? That's nonsense. If you're a great star in your own country, you should be a great star in ANY country, otherwise you're not really a superstar ANYWHERE! What is this "he would shine" stuff? There is no "fit this or fit that". Fit schmit. Ronaldinho whips anyone in ANY league. El Pibe Valderrama was great ANYWHERE. Hristo Stoichkov... well, he came to the MLS Fire and fizzled, but he was on his downfall... ok, maybe when they're on top, they should try out other places... scratch Soichkov.
Did you really believe Henry was going to leave the EPL, for another league??? Do you think he was going to be able to duplicate his striking touch in La Liga,Serie A or the Bundesliga?? Look at Veron, he was terrible in the EPL. Beckham has never been the same since leaving Manchester United. Ronaldinho is not just like any superstar. He belongs on another planet!!
This is just an excuse...Smaller and weaker players than Donovan have thrived in multiple leagues...Don't be an apologist for him...Bottom line is he couldn't cut it Also, whoever said that Mexico has got an easy group is smoking crack..I think DaDakota said was the one who said it...Put the pipe down man.
Sam, Did you root for the US hockey team in Lake Placid? A bunch of no names whipping up on the world? This could be the same in soccer/futbol. USA...USA...USA !! DD
Have you ever watched the Bundesliga? It's a fact that it's a terrible fit for Donovan's game. You're right he can thrive in multiple leagues such as La Liga and the Premiership, leagues that are built on speed and technique.
Ditto! BTW, Are you going to be in Germany for the World Cup? If so, take LOTS of pictures, and post 'em here of course.
Thank you very much, CreepyFloyd. countdown on the "countdown" thread on the feedback forum, at http://soccernet.espn.go.com/section?id=worldcup&cc=5901, and at http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com.
You know what? I have a ticket to go to a couple of games, but the problem is that I am starting a new company, and I may not be able to go... DD
Wrong. The different leagues have different qualities that might suit some players better. Hell, even being on the wrong team can hurt. Juan Sebastian Veron was awesome in Serie A, but poor in England. Juan Roman Riquelme and Diego Forlan didn't deal with the pressure of Barça and Man Utd very well - but at the lower pressure Villarreal they blossomed. Fernando Morientes has a great track record in Spain and Europe but he was poor for Liverpool. Thierry Henry was a mediocre winger for Juventus, but a brilliant striker for Arsenal. Sergio Ramos was an immense defender at Sevilla, where they play as a unit and the midfield provides support for the back four - but at Madrid where the midfield is lightweight and the fullbacks spend too much time wandering about he was terrible. So yeah, the right fit is incredibly important for a player - even the very best. Also, is Koller going to be fit for the first game - I want to see him and Onyewu go at each other. Onyewu vs Koller and then Toni is going to be incredible.
Starting a new company VS. attending a once-in-a-lifetime global event like no other to cheer on your national team and represent all the 'ugly' Americans out there... Where are your priorities, DaDa?
No doubt ! I want to go, but the games I have tickets for are the UK games, not the USA. So, I kinda want to go, but really want to go and party......and unlike the US team in their unmarked bus, if I go...I will be loud and proud. DD
My point was that if you're a quality player it shouldn't matter what team you play on or what league you play in...sure some styles might be more suited to a specific player's game, but even if they're not you should still be able to be productive...Giovane Elber is a classic example of this...a lot of his game was based on speed, quickness, agility etc...on top of that he's a weak and frail player, but he thrived ever where he went, because he could flat out play soccer....and he played in Brazil/for Brazil, in the Swiss league, Serie A, Bungesliga, and French league....you shouldn't make excuses for him...bottom line is if you can play the game it shouldn't matter where you play
He should be, he played 45 minutes today against Costa Rica. When I was watching the game I was thinking what a great match up Gooch and Koller will be. I think I'd give the edge to Gooch, he seems faster and more coordinated, plus he's actually muscular. But Koller is more experienced and should have some good service, if Gooch loses him Koller will take full advantage of it.
So what...for every player he can name I can name others that have played in many leagues that have different styles of play and thrived...see george weah, juninho, and ali karimi for a few examples...no offense, but donovan is just not a good player...there are plenty of players who get by on skill, speed, and quickness alone in the bundesliga...he wasnt one of them
Of the players you listed, only Karimi played in the Bundesliga, where he has been decent. Juninho would suffer the same fate as Donovan in Germany.
comparing juninho to donovan is just ridiculous...elber was a similar type of player who played all over the world including the bundesliga and thrived, because he was better. the players i previously mentioned were just examples of players who have played in different leagues with different styles and played well. karimi is all speed, quickness, and skill. juninho who's as weak and as frail as anybody went to the epl back in the day when all they did was play the long ball (before the real influx of foreign players) and the team he went to, bolton wanderers, did the same....he was a class above almost everyone else...as i said there are plenty of players who play donovan's style and survive just off of skill, speed, and quickness in the bundesliga alone...roy makaay was among the top scorers in the bundesliga...it's just that they're better than him...i dont know who you think donovan is, but he's just an average player
