The post-World Cup saga of Landon Donovan has certainly been interesting. Don Garber said Landon isn’t for sale. Manchester City either didn’t get the memo or doesn’t care. Whether Donovan stays or goes remains in the balance. Does he need to? Does an American need to go to Europe to be successful?
The answer hinges on how success is defined. Is the size of one’s contract the determining factor? Is it recognition? Is it endorsement deals? Is it skill? How exactly does one define a successful American soccer player?
If the decision is based solely on money, then yes, American soccer players need to go to Europe. The money simply isn’t there. Unless you’re Landon Donovan. He is the highest paid American in MLS, making two million dollars this season under his new contract. Financially, Donovan is successful.
What about recognition? Most American soccer players could walk around Times Square in New York City and be completely ignored. There simply aren’t many recognizable American faces in the soccer world. There are a few, especially following the World Cup. Even the casual sports fan would probably recognize Tim Howard, even if it was “aren’t you that soccer guy?” Again, Landon Donovan is in a different class. Donovan’s face has been everywhere this summer. He’s even had a pregnancy scandal that was covered by E! News. When it comes to being recognized, Donovan is successful.
Success in sports is most commonly defined by skill. Americans are used to being the best when it comes to sports. To date, the US has 2,549 Olympic medals. The next closest nation has 1,204 and they don’t exist anymore (Soviet Union). Still, success has eluded the United States in soccer. As the World Cup proved, that is changing. Slowly.
There are several Americans playing in Europe right now that from a skill standpoint would be considered successful. Tim Howard is one of the world’s best goal keepers. Clint Dempsey is generating interest from several big clubs. Oguchi Onyewu plays for one of the world’s largest and most successful clubs in AC Milan. Landon Donovan, considered not just the best current American player, but the best the US has ever produced, plays in the US for the LA Galaxy.
Here in lies the rub: Donovan has played in Europe. It didn’t go well. Until the Everton loan, Donovan’s trips across the pond had been disastrous, leaving him with the reputation that he couldn’t compete at the highest club level. He’s proven everyone wrong, but more so he’s caused people to think that Everton, and by extension Europe, is responsible for him suddenly becoming a better player. Everton played a role in Donovan’s development, but it wasn’t the grand missing piece that so many have proclaimed.
It may be painful to admit, but David Beckham had more of an impact on how Donovan has grown that anyone along the Merseyside. The Beckham Experiment forced Donovan to grow up and break down the mental blocks that have been holding him back his entire career. Having Bruce Arena step in to guide Donovan through the process certainly helped, too. Landon always had the skills. He just needed help to learn how to unlock them. The Donovan that played so well at Everton, and later in the Word Cup, was a product of MLS and the Beckham experiment. Everton and the World Cup were merely the stages.
More than anything, Landon Donovan has proven that the United States can develop incredible soccer talent. Manchester City’s interest in him proves that, even if selling jerseys is part of the reason for interest. Is every player Landon Donovan, obviously not. Still, the blueprint is there. As the American soccer system continues to improve, and the quality of MLS continues to grow, the time when the majority of the US national team plays abroad will come to an end. Is that time soon, no. But it isn’t nearly as far off as people think.
Adam Soucie is the author of Soccer, Not Football, a blog focused on the American game. If you’ve liked this piece, check out his other work. If you haven’t liked it, he promises there’s better stuff on his site.