The Next Landon Donovan
by Sounder At Heart on Jan 19, 2010 8:59 PM EST
9 comments
Which is really like asking - Who is the next face of American soccer?
In the 1990s it was Kasey Keller. We didn't have our own league for most of the decade, but the grandest moments all featured the now Sounders FC Keeper. Be it the amazing match versus Brazil, or the decent World Cups that we have had, it was Kasey Keller that was as much the face of American soccer as any. He was a name that a general sports fan knew.
In the Aughts that face became Landon Donovan. Sure, he had the two stints in Europe that didn't go well, but in Qualifying for World Cups he was the man. In League play there was no American player better over the decade. If anyone was the face of both Club and Country it was Landon. Sure, there were some better players - McBride, Dempsey - but they were not MLS stars per se, but global. It was Landon that was the symbol of the League and Nation at the same time. An MVP and the US Player of Year so often the award should bear his name.
As Donovan gets more love in Everton than could be expected, while entering the post-prime portion of his career the question becomes "Who is NEXT?"
My initial thought is Stuart Holden. He is wise beyond his years. Plays a "skill" position, and is entering his prime. With the openings on the National Team he has that opportunity to make a name for himself on the national stage.
Just one problem - there is a strong chance he isn't in the league next year, let alone for a significant time.
The list after that is filled with potential, but with even less that they have proven on the Club and Country stage.
ESPN once asked "Who's got NEXT?" and the answer was Adu.
We know now that the answer was wrong.
So who can carry the banner of MLS and USA at the same time over the next decade?
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I’d love to see it be Robbie Findley, but what impact would a latino player like a Michael Orozco have?
Lots of options out there, it will be interesting to see someone step up and claim the spot.
by pate on Jan 20, 2010 7:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
one more thing
Holden, uh, how can i say this … he has a way with the ladies. he’s quite the “playa” when it comes to the opposite sex. i guess he’s a pretty good looking bloke, too. that presence and charm can help build the “brand,” so it’s not a bad thing to have going for him.
by Steve Davis on Jan 20, 2010 4:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Holden
I would say Holden would be the next Donovan had he stayed in the U.S. As Steve said, hes a great poster boy with much more personality than Donovan.
In a world cup year, the general media will look for a state-side USA player with easy access and Holden could have been their man. He could of signed, then headed to Europe in three years with a huge US fan base.
by GeoJock on Jan 20, 2010 5:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It's Jozy
Yes, he needs to score goals and improve, but he’s still very young and if you look at all of the appearances he makes on ESPN, I think he’s already the #2 face of US soccer.
Formerly ryebreadraz
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Jan 20, 2010 7:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
But has nothing to do with the League anymore
I am not a Supporter
I am not a Fan
I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
by Sounder At Heart on Jan 21, 2010 3:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think it matters much
With the DP and allure of the US, MLS will continue to have foreign famous faces to push for a while. I think ensuring a face to represent the US will be the tougher chore for the foreseeable future.
Formerly ryebreadraz
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Jan 21, 2010 4:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting topic
A few thoughts:
1) It’s amazing that in over a decade since Donovan announced his presence at the U17 World Cup (Golden Ball winner), we haven’t had another young buck even in his area code. On the senior level, Dempsey’s been close enough to start arguments, but he had the unfortunate combo of not being well known when he arrived in MLS and leaving the league pretty quickly after starting to get known.
2) It’ll still be Donovan for the next 4 or 5 years. He’s only 27, after all.
3) Holden doesn’t quite fit the profile in terms of being a dominant player coming up at every age level. By age 19, everybody in American soccer knew who Donovan was, which is why he can be the “face of US soccer” for a long time. Also I’m not sure his ceiling is high enough. Jozy fits the profile a bit better, I think, assuming he catches on in Europe, but he’s a little like Dempsey from point 1.
4) And obviously from those comments, the ‘face of MLS’ and ‘face of the USA’ could, and probably will at some point, be different guys. The face of MLS could even be foreign (I would argue Valderrama was the face of MLS in the early years. Maybe Montero is next). It’s basically just luck and personality factors that have kept LD in the league so long (and could keep him here for his entire career).
5) That said, it’d be better if some YNT buck comes up to MLS, gets well known, and stays a while. The league will need to be strategic in its throwing of big Donovan-type money looking for him. Because you could get Donovan that way, or you could get Eddie Johnson.
'Gentlemen' he said,
'I don't need your organization,
I've shined your shoes,
moved your mountains and marked your cards,
but Eden is burning.
Either get ready for elimination,
or else your heart must have the courage,
for the changing of the guards.'
by Sgc on Jan 21, 2010 11:07 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
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