A love letter to Landon Donovan
The Pubcast’s resident Evertonian, Simon Pitney, sent us this love letter to his favourite American player, LA Galaxy’s own former Everton loanee, Landon Donovan.
Dear Landon,
Please spurn all other offers and promises of gold and re-join Everton football club.
There, I have said it, and whats more I don’t care who knows that I am on my metaphorical knees begging. Players such as yourself are a rare commodity in football. Whilst it becomes ever more tricky to avoid falling into a massive “sweeping statements” trap, I will edge forward and proclaim that football in general could do with more US stars in its upper echelons.
Our game has been blessed by not only yourself, but by Clint Dempsey (AKA Deuce – see Pubcast TV for a clip), Brad Friedal, Tim Howard and Jay DeMerit to name a few. No longer with us but fondly remembered are Carlos Bocanegra and Brian McBride, and Michael Bradley has been building a solid reputation for himself on the continent. The one thing that stands out about all of these players is their professionalism. I cant remember ever hearing of an American player complaining about being rotated, or left out. I dont remember seeing an American footballer being “papped” with a hairdresser who has it all hanging out either.
Not for them, the ostentatious badge kissing one minute and transfer request the next – almost to a man they have been loyal, hard working and the ultimate team player. A player not mentioned above was Joe Max Moore – who had a brief spell with Everton, and although he wasnt the most gifted of players – we parted ways with a genuine affection of how much he bought into, and contributed to, the team dynamic.
Even in the most over the top and parochial of American sports – the one you call football – “team” is the ultimate concept. Sure you have guys holding out for more money and being showmen but in every interview about every situation its always about the guy next to you, and the man above you. Perhaps the unique “draft” nature of some American sports leads to this sense of loyalty and professionalism. This year Sam Bradford was drafted at the number 1 pick to the St Louis Rams – a team so deficient that it will take years for them to post a winning season – let alone challenge for the play-offs. I would wager that Sam Bradford is happy with this – its the challenge of the thing, the chance to build something – he certainly wont be bemoaning his luck or causing any rifts in the dressing room.
Its the same focus and dedication that your “soccer” players display as well. Very few of the players listed above will have been guaranteed starters throughout their careers – Friedal at Liverpool, Howard at Manchester United and McBride at Everton for example. You yourself Landon, suffered some setbacks – the Leverkusen deal didnt go to plan and Bayern Munich didnt appreciate your talents fully either. Yet you have come back to become the all time leading goal scorer for your country amongst numerous accolades (3 MLS Cups, US All time assists leader, 6 time Honda Player of the year to name a few).
You had a sparkling world cup, building on your earlier success (Donovan was named young player of the tournament by FIFA in 2002) in the worlds biggest tournament. You scored the last minute winner against Algeria, meaning your country finished top of a group for the first time since 1930. You were the eye-catching talent in a team that performed admirably in it’s four games. Coupled with your loan spell last season at Everton where you were an unqualified success (winning a player of the month accolade in your short stay) this meant that many other clubs have looked at you.
Now I am, of course, somewhat biased, but I repeat my plea from earlier – please re-join Everton. You brought with you an enthusiasm that can, in every day encounters with Americans, be somewhat overpowering, but in our sports stars is the epitome of what we want to see. Everton are not a club that will play Barcelona style football, we are workers, we will out-run, out-tackle and ultimately out-fight our rivals – we are ALL about the team spirit. Thats the one ingredient that helps us “punch above our weight” as pundits put it, year in year out. David Moyes displays many of the traits that you have displayed yourself – humbleness, determination, ambition and no little skill. Your loyalty to Everton would be repaid by the manager – not for us a quick fix £24 million signing just because you have temprarily lost form.
Not for us a bulging squad that could see many a players career disappear in reserve team football. Everton are on the cusp of achieving something and it’s so very rare that you see a perfect match up of player and club. From where I sit this couldnt be a happier marriage – you are 28 – at the peak of your footballing prowess, with many temptations and decisions to make. For what it’s worth I would have you back in a shot, and I think most of the Goodison faithful would feel the same.
Yours sincerely,
Simon Pitney
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