Landon Donovan Making It In English Premier League

– John Leahy

I have never been a big fan of Landon Donovan, but I have to admit he has finally shown he has enough character to be successful on a larger stage than the MLS since his transfer to Everton in the English Premier League. By success, I don’t mean to imply that Donovan dominating or starring in England, but simply that he is demonstrating that he fits in and belongs at that level. That in itself is a success for American soccer players struggling to attain respect in world soccer. Hitherto, Donovan’s career has been marred by several attempts to crack into the starting formations at two big clubs in the German Bundesliga, Bayerleverkusen and Bayern Munich. His failures and subsequent returns to star in the MLS made him look like a big frog in a small pond. At least now he is demonstrating that he is good enough and mature enough to be where he is and play for a good team in one of the top leagues in the world. This is a positive step for the US National Team as it prepares for World Cup 2010.