Sports World Review

England Hasn’t Seen Anything Yet From Landon Donovan

Skeptics pointed to Landon Donovan’s unsuccessful stints in Germany when the all-time United States Men’s National Team leading scorer first went on loan to English Premier Club Everton from his MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy at the beginning of 2010. With the United States facing England in their opening game in this summer’s World Cup in South Africa, all eyes on both sides of the Atlantic were on Donovan when he made his English debut in the snow against Arsenal on January 9th.

The American’s impact was felt in just the 12th minute he sent in a wicked corner kick (making his Galaxy team mate David Beckham proud) finding the head of Leon Osman who stiffly knocked the ball into the Arsenal net. Donovan went on to continue to torment one of England’s best clubs down the right side of the field before being subbed out with 15 minutes left in the game. Everton gave up two cheap goals to Arsenal to tie the Gunners in the end, but anyone you watched the game knew that Donovan had shown he could play in England.

Donovan has started every game since and this past Wednesday against Sunderland, the 27-year-old scored his first goal in England.  Donovan ran onto a well-placed header from Australian Tim Cahill and expertly beat the keeper with a left footed strike. Scoring his first goal with Everton early on into his loan spell gives Donovan the confidence to elevate his play further. I’ve watched almost every game he’s played in the last year and half with the Galaxy, Bayern Munich, and the United States and I know that his game has a few more levels than what he’s shown so far with Everton.

Donovan has been feeling his way into the team playing smart football, but now that he’s getting comfortable in the system I expect him to start making more adventurous runs and being a bit more selfish with the ball. That being said Donovan is surrounded by great players in Tim Cahill, Steven Pienaar, Marouane Fellani, and Louis Saha where as in MLS or with the national team he has step up and be the main attacking player. In the coming weeks Donovan will grow  into his role and no one should be surprised if we see a few more goals in the not too distant future from the soccer star. Landon’s next chance to find the back of the net will be on Saturday as Everton travel to Wigan.