Landon Donovan has been the most visible American soccer player for a decade, and he's still only 27 years old. Often lauded, more often maligned, the California Golden Boy of US Soccer is the leading scorer in USMNT history, and was the best player on the pitch in the biggest win ever by the Americans. It gives him the chance to cap perhaps his best international tournament ever by leading the USA to the championship over the Brazil/South Africa winner.
I've never agreed with the Landon-bashing. It probably started when he decided he didn't want to stay at Bayern Leverkusen and forced a loan back to MLS and the San Jose Earthquakes. I always respected his reasoning. He wasn't getting to play, and he wanted to be back in California. His girlfriend was connected there and he wanted to be with her. So he went back to California. True, it wasn't the best move for his soccer development, but it was the best move for his life, according to his priorities. A lot of American soccer fans acted as if he had personally affronted them by choosing to prioritize other things over his soccer development. Those people were out of line.
Landon was outstanding against Spain. I thought he was the best player on the pitch that night. He played his normal role of main offensive generator, but he was also central to the defense. He played a complete game. He has been the star of this tournament even though he is not scoring goals in numbers. Because of his leadership and the play of the team as a whole, the USA has a chance to win a FIFA tournament for the first time.
This tournament appears to be where the US national team finally found the proper role for Landon. Playing out on the wing he can use his speed and fitness, his ball skills and aggressiveness. He can make his off-the-ball runs that he does better than anyone else in a US uniform. He runs at defenders. He gets into space and creates for others. It works for us.
Brazil is the next challenge. The Brazilians will probably roll us, but clearly the US has a chance. Losing Michael Bradley on a bullshit red card hurts, but Benny Feilhaber and Jose Torres are capable players. Feilhaber will probably get the nod so Donovan can stay on the flank. If the back four can be as solid as it was against Spain, and Donovan and the other attackers work together as well as they did vs Spain, clearly the US can win.
If the US does defeat Brazil, Landon Donovan will probably be Man of the Match.
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