Donovan to Bayern: The Right Move

Landon Donovan is arguably the greatest footballer ever produced in the United States. This past MLS season, Donovan dominated the opposition, despite being on one of the worst teams in the league. Now Landon Donovan begins the nest phase of his career in Germany, with a ten day trial at legendary club Bayern Munich.

Jurgen Klinsmann knows Donovan better than any manager in Europe having watched him up close while living in Southern California. Martin Vasquez, Klinsmann’s assistant previously was on the staff of the Galaxy and played in MLS himself. This is the right move for Donovan. Right now Landon Donovan is in the prime of his career and if he can impress Bayern Munich with his technical skill and football savvy, he can play anywhere on the planet.

Some critics in the United States have made up allegedly funny nicknames and songs to describe Landon Donovan’s lack of motivation as they see it. These critics who seldom ever follow MLS or the US National Team and probably don’t follow the Bundesliga either will never get off Donovan’s back. But this seems to have had a motivating affect on the player who is eager to prove his critics wrong and become the best he can be at the same time. Donovan, the winner of three MLS Cups realizes the league’s poor quality isn’t helping him grow as a player. He’s seen inferior American talents go abroad and excel and now he’s ready to do the same.

Landon Donovan will be successful wherever he chooses (or is allowed) to ply his trade. His fitness level and technical skill have made him an American footballing icon. Now it’s Europe’s turn to understand why we think so highly of him on this side of the pond.