The days ahead for Landon Donovan, and a possible decision

Landon Donovan may have a big decision to make today.

As you probably know, Donovan is on Jurgen Klinsmann’s list for a pair of friendlies across the Atlantic, starting with the bigger one on Friday, against the 1998 World Cup champs just outside Paris at Stade de France.

Donovan also has his next chance at MLS hardware just around the bend, as his Galaxy has advanced to the 16^th MLS Cup final. That’s a week from Sunday, on Nov. 20.

So, the timing of it all is less than ideal. Especially since Donovan seems to be missing a little something at the moment. That wouldn’t be so shocking, considering he only recently returned from a quadriceps strain.

So, here’s the question: Is it possible that Donovan might beg out of the U.S. trip? Or, perhaps the other question to ponder: does he even need to?

(Update: Donovan did indeed withdraw from the national team trip.)

I talked to Galaxy officials in Los Angeles first thing this morning. That think they’ll have an answer one way or the other later today. Meanwhile, we can toss around the particulars. Read on for that.

Donovan seems to lacking just a little something at the moment in the attack. Yes, he hit the penalty kick in yesterday’s 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake. But he didn’t do much on offense otherwise. (And did miss on a big chance to put the game away himself.) So, it seems we’re watching Donovan-lite at the moment, and I’m not the only one who thinks so.

Therefore, you could say that going to Europe isn’t the best way to prep for the MLS final. And make no mistake, this is big for AEG and for the Galaxy. They’ve invested a lot in Donovan, David Beckham, Robbie Keane, Bruce Arena, etc.  With the final being hosted at the Home Depot Center, and since nobody knows exactly what’s going to happen with Beckham, this is an opportunity that cannot be missed in AEG’s eyes.

Is playing in two tough matches, against a Euro power such as France and then four days later against a solid, mid-level Euro side such as Slovenia, really what’s best for Donovan and the Galaxy? He would have a few days of rest upon his return to the Galaxy on Wednesday, Nov. 16 – but not many.

I know the U.S. folks really want him for these matches. Due to that recent injury, Donovan has appeared for Klinsmann only twice so far. And there is only one more full FIFA date before World Cup qualifying after this weekend’s so-called double date. Therefore, Klinsmann will probably push to get the important attacker on the field in Paris, and then again next week in Slovenia. He surely wants to see how it all works with Donovan, Brek Shea, Clint Dempsey and the advanced striker du jour.

There may be one other way to see all this:

Does Donovan even need the extra precaution? Maybe he’s not nicked or bothered or whatever. Perhaps he’s just paying extra attention to defensive duties. We saw this last year as Donovan shut down Seattle’s livewire winger Steve Zakuani to devastating effect. And currently, with Robbie Keane making so many effective runs, perhaps Donovan just doesn’t need to make the extra, little offensive pushes that he might have prior to the veteran Irishman’s arrival.

Either way, we should know more by later today, or tomorrow at the latest.