Latest news with #LandonDonovan
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Carlos Vela — Not Messi Or Beckham — Is The Best MLS Signing Ever Made
Carlos Vela of LAFC receives the Western Conference Champion trophy following the 2023 MLS Western ... More Conference Final. Carlos Vela may not be as recognizable as David Beckham or as talented as Lionel Messi. His complete body of work in MLS maybe not be as vast as career MLSers like Landon Donovan or Chris Wondolowski. But we consider his legacy in the aftermath of his official retirement from professional soccer on Tuesday, this much is clear: He is the best MLS signing ever made. Before you protest, remember that the question of the 'best' – i.e. how well it turned out relative to realistic expectations – does not mean the most important. It's hard to debate with Messi and Beckham being the most influential acquisitions in MLS history. But the reason you sign a Beckham or a Messi as an MLS club is that their statures pretty much guarantees a transformational impact, even if you're not exactly sure what shape it will take. By contrast, while LAFC was widely praised for making Carlos Vela their first official signing in the summer of 2017 – months before he would make his MLS debut in the 2018 season – it was anything but certain that he would prove to be the perfect foundational piece for one of the league's best clubs. While Vela came to LA with plenty of high-pressure experience at CD Guadalajara, Arsenal and the Mexico national team, he also did so with a bit of an enigmatic reputation. Fairly or not, there were often questions about his competitive desire. And his introverted nature and contentious relationship with the Mexican press in particular may have added fuel to those questions. And in LA, he was going to be asked to be the face of a franchise, in a market with an enormous Mexican-American population that was well acquainted with his reputation as an erratic genius of sorts. Further, he was parachuting into a situation where his new club had to be the plucky, feisty newcomers against the more established LA Galaxy, and win over doubters who had seen Chivas USA try and fail to be a legitimate crosstown rival. While it was clear from the start that LAFC's ownership would be willing to make big splashes, that alone is never a guarantee of MLS success. Just look at the first few seasons for Toronto FC, Seattle Sounders or Inter Miami, who all entered MLS with big goals but took considerable time to realize them. But most of all, nothing in his previous numbers suggested his 2018-19 level of audacious and relentless production. He was already four years removed from his last double-digit goals season by the time he suited up for LAFC. Even factoring in for the considerable step down in quality, no one would've ever predicted he'd score 34 times and add 15 assists in 2019 to earn arguably the most obvious MLS MVP honor ever awarded. And after a career in which he was always more of a scorer than provider, as he began to be more limited physically into his 30s, he embraced trying to be more of a creator in the latter stages of his LAFC careeer. That allowed him to remain an integral part of the team that finally won LAFC's first MLS Cup in 2022 to complete a domestic double after taking the Supporters' Shield earlier that year. It wasn't note perfect – there were frustrations in the pandemic season of 2020 in particular – but it was astoundingly close. And while there is some disappointment among LAFC followers that he only won those three major honors in their first five seasons, that if anything speaks volumes of how successful he was in his most essential role, as the foundation of a new football culture. Aside from founding league members, no other MLS club has combined to the MLS Cup and/or Supporters' Shield three times in its first five seasons. Yes, Messi and Beckham will leave a wider MLS legacy. But perhaps Vela's imprint on the league should be larger. Only a couple teams can attract a Messi or a Beckham, while far more have a shot at wooing a player like Vela: someone still on the south side of 30, with a few prime years left to give before evolving into an elder statesman and eventually an off-the-field club embassador. Ultimately, its those kinds of acquisitions who build the deepest relationships between clubs and their supporters. And forcing more of those bonds is just as important in the business of league building as is attracting the best and brightest stars.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
USMNT greats Donovan, Howard criticize absence of top players from Gold Cup
Former US men's national team greats Landon Donovan and Tim Howard criticized some of the stars who asked to be left off the team's Gold Cup roster this summer, with Donovan saying he believes that the national team is 'not a priority' for them. The Gold Cup is the last international tournament the US men's national team will compete in before playing co-host for the 2026 World Cup next summer. Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson and Yunus Musah all asked to be left off of the team for various reasons, with Pulisic citing the workload of two straight 50-game campaigns with Milan, while Robinson was ruled out with a case of knee tendinopathy (an overuse injury that he had been managing for much of the second half of the Premier League season). Fulham announced on Wednesday that Robinson would undergo a 'minor' surgical procedure on his knee and would use the summer to recover. Musah, according to head coach Mauricio Pochettino, asked out of the team due to 'personal reasons'. In Wednesday's episode of Unfiltered Soccer, the podcast co-hosted by Donovan and Howard, Donovan decried the absences despite his own experience with experiencing burnout over the course of his playing career. 'I understand very clearly what it's like to need a break,' said Donovan, who took time away from soccer in 2013 – a decision that then-US head coach Jürgen Klinsmann said contributed to the decision to cut Donovan from the 2014 World Cup team. 'If there's something serious going on in your life, in your family, mentally, whatever, I get it. I'm going to assume for the sake of this conversation that's not going on. If they would actually come out and give reasons, it would help us, but none of them want to say anything publicly. I think it would help them publicly to say 'this is why.'' In an episode recorded before the announcement of Robinson's surgery, Donovan said that reasons related to fatigue and burnout fall flat when set against the players' performances for their club teams to end the season. Milan, home to Pulisic and Musah, was a focus given that the last game of their season was largely meaningless, with the team already mathematically out of European competition next season. 'The problem I have with Christian in the last few weeks is he's still playing for Milan,' Donovan said. So, if you're if you're tired and you're burned out and whatever [and] you guys are still playing for a Champions League spot, fine. I get it. They had nothing to play for this weekend. Zero.' In the case of Robinson, Donovan pointed out that the left-back withdrew from national team consideration ahead of this year's Nations League finals due to injury concerns, yet started for Fulham in games immediately before and after the international break. Sign up to Soccer with Jonathan Wilson Jonathan Wilson brings expert analysis on the biggest stories from European soccer after newsletter promotion 'He doesn't want to go to the Gold Cup. Fine. You've had a long season. You've performed great,' Donovan said. 'Why are you starting and playing 90 minutes the last two games for Fulham if your knee's so messed up?' What are you doing? What kind of message is that sending? If you are really injured and that's no problem, you're totally fine. We respect that. Everyone has to make the decision that's best for them.' Howard, along with Donovan, expressed dismay that Pochettino would not have a chance to have the full team together in a tournament setting before the World Cup, but that 'I'm putting a ton of this on US Soccer.' 'There needed to be people on planes in restaurants in Milan, at restaurants in London, buying bottles of red wine for sporting directors saying, 'Listen, I understand you have priorities. Let me tell you about my priorities,' Howard said, referring to the federation's relationship with the clubs where US players ply their trade. 'I don't necessarily know that dialogue has been had with sporting directors. And by the way, if it has, then it just shows that US Soccer has no gravitas and no power. [In that case] those sporting directors basically said, 'Who is this? I don't have time for this call. I'll speak to you never.' And hung up the phone.' US Soccer has been approached for comment.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Top USMNT goal scorers: Ranking Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, and America's finest strikers
Image Source: Getty The USMNT has given rise to great goal scorers who helped build American soccer. Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan have the most goals for the US national team and Christian Pulisic is rising quickly. Throughout World Cups, countries have motivated both their fans and one another by making clear their goals. Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan lead the USMNT scoring charts American soccer players Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan are tied for first place with 57 international goals. Dempsey scored 57 goals over 141 matches and proved his worth during the 2017 Gold Cup semifinal. They are heroes in American soccer. Here are the top USMNT goal scorers: Clint Dempsey: 57 goals Landon Donovan: 57 goals Jozy Altidore: 42 goals Eric Wynalda: 34 goals Brian McBride: 30 goals These strikers worked hard and scored in important games, like the World Cups and the Gold Cups. Their goals helped the USMNT shine in tough matches and built a strong history. New players are trying to follow their path and keep the team great. Also Read: Watch: USMNT star Christian Pulisic scores a world-class goal against Germany Christian Pulisic and the rise of new talent Christian Pulisic is the top active scorer for the USMNT and a young talent. At 26, he's already close to the top scorers and could break their records. His exciting play at clubs like Chelsea and AC Milan makes him a future star. Older players like Eric Wynalda helped start this success. Players like Jesus Ferreira, who scored five times last year, are also making a difference. Dempsey and Donovan have helped more USMNT players secure contracts in Europe's most respected leagues. Their big goals inspire young players to dream big. With the 2026 World Cup coming, these strikers' success pushes the team to aim high. The USMNT's goal scorers, from Dempsey and Donovan to Pulisic, show how much American soccer has grown. Their goals in big games set a high bar for new players. Who will be the next big scorer for the USMNT? Share your ideas and support the team for 2026! Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Graham Rahal speaks after leading most laps at Sonsio Grand Prix
Klein discusses his passion for Everton Jacob Klein from Pittsburgh shares his love affair for Everton and how he became a Toffees supporter over the years since American stars Tim Howard and Landon Donovan suited up for the club. 0:51 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
USA Today
13-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USMNT to face Japan and South Korea in September friendlies
USMNT to face Japan and South Korea in September friendlies Show Caption Hide Caption Tyler Adams responds to Landon Donovan's comments regarding the USMNT Tyler Adams says 'the criticism is fair' when asked about Landon Donovan's recent comments on the USMNT. Sports Seriously The U.S. men's national team will face Japan and South Korea in a pair of September friendlies, U.S. Soccer announced on Tuesday. The USMNT will face South Korea on Sept. 6 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J. (5 p.m. ET, TNT, Telemundo, Max, Universo, and Peacock), and will then take on Japan at Field in Columbus, Ohio on Sept. 9 (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT, Max, Universo, and Peacock). Mexico will also face the two Asian countries, taking on Japan in Oakland, Calif. on Sept. 6 and South Korea on Sept. 9 at a venue to be announced. The games will be the USMNT's first after the Gold Cup and a vital chance to test itself against high-quality opposition as the 2026 World Cup approaches. After the Gold Cup ends, the USMNT will have just four international windows remaining before coach Mauricio Pochettino names his World Cup roster. Japan recently became the first team to qualify for the World Cup aside from host countries Mexico, Canada and the United States. The Samurai Blue have reached the last 16 in each of the last two World Cups. The USMNT and Japan have only faced off three times before, with Japan winning the first meeting in 1993 and the U.S. winning in 2006. Most recently, Japan defeated the USMNT 2-0 in 2022 just two months before the World Cup kicked off. South Korea also reached the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup, and has qualified for every tournament since 1986. The USMNT hasn't faced the Taegeuk Warriors since 2014, when Chris Wondolowski scored two goals in a 2-0 friendly win. Overall, South Korea leads the all-time series with a 3W-2L-2D record against the USMNT. The U.S. will next be in action early next month with matches against Switzerland and Turkey. Pochettino's team will then kick off the Gold Cup, where it is set to face Trinidad and Tobago, Saudi Arabia and Haiti in the group phase.
