Arena: Donovan the Warrior Emerged Against Italy
(Goal.com) - US manager Bruce Arena was delighted with the performance of 24-year-old Landon Donovan in the Americans' surreal 1-1 draw with Italy.
"I think he emerged in this game and demonstrated to the world, but more importantly to his teammates, that he's a great player in any kind of game," Arena said. "Landon did things against Italy I've never seen him do before. He was a warrior on the field."
With the US down to nine men and with Italy playing with just ten, Donovan excelled at helping the American midfield keep their shape while also leading some promising counterattacks.
For more soccer news visit Goal.com





Comments
We'll need Donovan the Scorer to show up against Ghana. Get some goals guys. Put it in the net!
Posted by: yoyo | June 21, 2006 10:07 AM
Donovan has never been good, never will be good. He could not make in Europe twice. The only quality player USA has is Kellar. The rest of the team are just scrubs
Posted by: Donovan sucks | June 21, 2006 12:18 PM
Donovan's game parallels his confidence, so let's hope his performance against Italy helped build his self confidence going into this last group match. Donovan the scorer is right. The US we'll need the quick and creative offensive Landon to show up. It should be a more open match against Ghana, which will hopefully allow Donovan to find space and run at the defense.
A funny comment to say he's never been good, considering Andrea Pirlo, probably the Italian's best performer thus far in the tournament, praised Donovan's play after the Italy match. Competing against some of the best in the world and being complimented by them would usually indicate talent.
It would also be odd to consider players the likes of McBride to be "scrubs" when he was voted by his teammates at Fulham to be their most valuable player this year. Scrubs don't typically play in the English Premier League.
It's a matter of the better players showing up when they are needed for the US, rather than a matter of not having good players.
Posted by: Heath Young | June 21, 2006 01:18 PM
ok guys we made it too the world cup and you guys need to give them some sopport not screwed up comments
Posted by: ME SOCCER man | June 21, 2006 02:46 PM
It was such a joy to finally see landon play the way he was able too. It looked like the younger landon, who wasn't afraid to go against anybody. And to say Donovan sucks, that is just a stupid comment to make, its ok to not like the guy, but when he plays a great game why bash on him? Well its natural for people to bash on players they don't like when they play great. And i don't want to get started on the scrubs comment, thats just rediculous. Your letting your opinions get in the way instead of fact and truthe. My advice would be, rewatch the italy game and then make an intelligent comment.
Posted by: Brandon | June 21, 2006 05:30 PM
I LOVE LANDON!!!!!!!!! YOU are great.Same with McBride!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: kristina | June 21, 2006 08:48 PM
To Brandon & Heath. I knew my comments were correct nothing but scrubs. Arena always trying to blame the refs. Just play and win. Go Portugal
Posted by: Go Portugal | June 22, 2006 02:23 PM
These were comments on the italy game you moron. Maybe Donovan was over-hyped, but he played great against italy. Why are you talking about arena?? This is about landon donovan! And as for the refs go, it totally changed two games in a row for the US. They are making this beautyful game ugly again. I just hope the rest of the cup, teams don't get screwed like the US did. Well.. thats all, good luck to all the teams left.
Posted by: Brandon | June 22, 2006 07:11 PM
Donovan was not "great" against Italy and to suggest Pirlo said that is insane! Go back and check the diret quotes. He played reasonably well in terms of hussle, but was so afraid to move with the ball that he played the "when in doubt, hoof it out" defense that resulted in ZERO offense (you know, the area of the game that he is supposed to be so spectacular in). Landon is not a quality player when you are judging him with the rest of the world. He plays in LA because he wants to be a big fish (at the cost of any chance at improvement). He may be a nice guy, but that is irrelevant. He let his team down with his selfish. lazy play and should be benched for some time (which I think is in the cards once Arena gets his walking papers).
Posted by: zoe | June 24, 2006 12:12 AM
I am writing this just a few hours after the ghana game. I got on google and searched for Landon Donovan hatred sights, unfortunately i found none, but am seriously considering creating one. Landon does nothing but jog around the field and lose the ball. He is a pansie and is afraid to get in on anybody. He can't even put a freakin' ball in the box. He is just another american excuse for a soccer player. However, much credit should be given to McBride, Keller, and Dempsey. Go USA!-Landon Sucks.
Posted by: Lucho | June 26, 2006 02:44 PM
how about some recent articles
Posted by: giova * * * * | May 12, 2007 02:49 PM
Kudos! What a neat way of tihninkg about it.
Posted by: Tyya | April 29, 2011 09:57 AM
i
i
i
Posted by: replicac91961 | September 22, 2011 01:15 PM