What do you think of Landon Donovan's sabbatical? Will he return to USMNT?
Though just 30 years old, Landon Donovan elected to take a break from soccer just before the Hexagonal round of World Cup qualification began. He already missed the Honduras match, a loss. He will also miss March contests against Costa Rica and Mexico. How do you feel about that? Does the team need him? Graph your position and then tell us your thoughts.
Posted
February 24, 2013 12:00 PM
February 24, 2013 12:00 PM
He will return to the USMNT
His international career is over
Follow your bliss, Landon
I'm mad he abandoned the team
He'll definitely return but I don't know why he feels he can just abandon his professional responsibility when he wants to, this wouldn't be tolerated on any other national team, I don't know why US fans/media/pundits aren't more outraged about it.
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Alex
I disliked his attitude
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Piaggio
If we lose against Costa Rica or Mexico, I'm putting it all on Landon. He is voluntarily making our team weaker. If he's not injured, he should be playing.
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@nickk330
He'll definitely come back and when he does he will play. I'm not terribly upset about his absence. Talk to me after the Costa Rica game, though.
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Tyler
Look, I'm disappointed that he hasn't been around but I think it's as much JK's fault as Landon's. Landon represents American soccer and JK is being a selfish diva and trying to overtake Landon (and all the players). Landon will return in June, but JK may be lucky to last that long.
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KXRTI
I wish he'd have taken his sabbatical immediately after a World Cup, instead of during the toughest stretch of qualifying. However, I can't fault him for taking a break, it is just sports after all. Hopefully he is all in once he returns.
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Taylor
It's his life, so I understand. But he'll be back. Count on it.
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Dan
He'll be back and he'll contribute. If you take a step back, his actions are refreshing in the world of sport. They're novel, and they help us add to our definition of what it all means.
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JZ
He has given many years to the sport and has been the face of US soccer for a long time. I wish him the best of luck and hope he returns!
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Kari
Give the guy a break. He needs some time off. He's too young to quit.
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Billy D
Landon's always craved feeling "loved" - like an addict, needing more and more to feed that feeling. Dempsey's success in the EPL made Landon feel like he wasn't the alpha dog anymore, hence this stupid sabbatical. It's clear what his strategy is: avoid the early qualifiers, hope the US falls into a hole, and return to "rescue" the qualifying effort and resume his place as the darling of US Soccer. It's petty and juvenile - Timmy Chandler drew a ton of flack for his waffling on a decision, and what Donovan's doing is the same crap Brett Favre pulled in the NFL and got skewered for it, so I don't understand why Donovan is getting a free pass. Sod off, Landycakes, we don't need a part-time player.
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Kevin
He's a spoiled child. I dislike him
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Sam
He has given us everything and deserves a break. He has not taken any time off in the past few years and he is just burned out. As a galaxy/USMNT fan I just want him to come back fired up and ready to play.
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Erick P
it'll be fine
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d
A Landon in the right frame of mind is a huge asset. Sort it out, then earn your way back.
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Tobin
1 2 3
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Jackie
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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ot6;
He will be back as always.
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Aaron
he important to the usmnt for a reason...
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qristian
Give him a break! A sabbatical is supposed to be taken every 7 years. He has not had a break in 20 years!
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SoccerProf
Either get on or get off, but quit holding up the wagon.
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Kampfers
We still need wingers and I'd rather have a happy/motivated LD than one who isn't. I'm sure we'll see him suit up this summer.
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Adam Austin
who knows?
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phil
Sending out the Landy Signal. LAAAAAAN-DON. LAAAAAAAN-DON.
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Sean
He's earned the right to do what he wants but I'm not thrilled he's left the USMNT hanging at a time when they are struggling.
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Rainmaker
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Chase
He'll be back. Unfortunate that he had to miss the Honduras qualifier, but we need him.
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Zack
sdaf
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dsaf
Maybe he will be better or maybe he will be worst.
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Thomas
He's always supported and respected the fans and supporters; its time they did the same for him. (And its better to know when you're burned out and try to do what you need to do to work through it than to ignore it and fail because of it.)
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JT
He's doing the right thing. He's got to figure things out on his own. Sometimes we all need a break to refuel. This break will let him know if the passion is still there. I think he'll be ready and play in the next World Cup.
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Jon dixon
I think he took long enough to decide, but he will definitely play for the team again.
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Jordan H
He'll be back. Klinsmann needs to offer him the position of captain. He deserves his rest. Everyone needs to get off his back.
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Dinah
No way Landon is a captain after this.
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Guy to my left.
Hurts a little that he did take a break now, but he will be back with the US.
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Jess
</3
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Madrhatter
Sure he ditched the team and that sucks, but he earned the right to a couple months of soul searching over the last ten years. The galaxy and MNT will be fine, and he'll come back happier - which is what matters.
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Jacob
He'll be back but this whole situation has been absurd. Part of being a professional is showing up. If you can't show up when it's time to play go to Cambodia...and stay there.
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Brian
A happy Landon Donovan...is a dangerous one. Let him rest but don't be surprised when he comes back and just dominates with LA and USMNT. Anyway, a little R&R never hurt and in fact should have helped a lot to get him back in the right frame of mind.
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Danielle
If he wasnt 100% then he wouldnt have been good for the team. Once he is again one of the best 23 players from this country he should be back on the team.
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Beto
x
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x
Kind of annoying for him just to take a break during a crucial time. This is the kind of thing Klinsmann would be angry at other players for doing so it doesn't show great leadership on LD's part
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Ross
Note
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rob
As much as it sux for his team, he's also worthless w/o being in the right frame of mind. Bruce has already seen that.
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Bob L
He's a usa legend. let him think about his future
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Alex
He has done a lot for an average American team, but in the scheme of things Landon hasnt done a damn thing. Taking a break better have got him centered and healthy and all the BS. Im not giving him a break. He is a professional that gets paid to play and we are a side that cant afford to have any of our top players out, we just arent that deep. He better come back with a bang or his legacy IMO is tarnished.
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SumOakTrees
He will get the rest needed, and play again. The team needs him and he has skills to play at that level. He is a vet and we need his leadership. He also needs his rest too.
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Samuel Mirkovich
As my dearly departed great-grandmother would have said, "Sh*t or get off the pot, son."
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Alex
He will likely return but tired of his vacation as our country struggles to get thru qualifying.
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Andrew
Better to have a happy Landon than a whiny one. I think we can play just fine without him, but once he comes back, hopefully with a refreshed state of mind, it'll make the team better.
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Conor Lynch
He either needs to get with the program or get out. It's harsh, but it's reality.
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Brennan
Time to man up and finish out your career. If you quit now, you will regret it the rest of your life. Play until you can't play anymore or no one will pay you to play. In other words, start being Landon Donovan, stop being Landon prima-Donovan.
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JK
I'm annoyed.
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Slugger
We need his 'fight'-energy, wheels, width whatever you want to call it. The USMNT is not as good with him out. Get in shape quick Landon, the team NEEDS YOU! Brazil 2014 and wherever it is in 2018 - you're still the man!
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TD
F anyone deserves a break from soccer it's Landon
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Byrnes
</3
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Madrhatter
happiness is a tricky thing to find. so is success. if you figure out how to find both, give me a shout.
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gandhi
Just come back soon
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Ryan
He's got the right to run his life however he wants (not how the fans want). He could have handled the PR of it all better though so it didn't seem so much like he was leading the coaches on. I think he will be back on the national team (we need his skills) but not without re-earning his spot.
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N.H.
Landon needs a break to get his head right? Fine, but it's his legacy if we fail to qualify.
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Jack
his life. between him, jurgen and teammates. predict that he'll be back for summer qualifiers.
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Kfre
We need him. He might come back, but if his heart isn't in it....
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Colin
Get back in there man, your country needs you.
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Fredmeister
Cautiously hopeful that he'll come back to the USA. But 100% team Follow Your Bliss, because he owes us exactly nothing.
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Christopher
He is a cry baby and neither the USMNT or LA Galaxy should put up with it. Bruce Arena needs to call his ass into camp now.
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Roy
Landon isn't the player he once was, but can be be of great value to his country. As an athlete it is difficult when you can't do what used to come naturally, and perhaps that is what Donovan struggles with mentally, but walking away isn't the answer. You have nothing to prove Landon, just go out and be a leader.
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Patrick D
He's a dick, but a dick that's earned the right to be a dick.
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Matt L.
I really don't care what he ends up deciding, but I think all of us who have supported him over the years deserve better than this Brett Favre act he's putting on.
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Andrew
As a Galaxy and USSoccer fan, this hurts both teams now. But the post-LD era was always rapidly approaching, I guess we are ripping off the band-aid.
LD doesn't owe us a damn thing. Still, I can't grasp this decision. You have 7-8 years max of pro soccer left and then 40+ years to live on the beach with your millions. Double your psych sessions now, find happiness then, and deal with life. Life now is that you are paid to play soccer, it is your job, so you aren't really supposed to be happy doing it.
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Chris
over rated
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j
Hey loser, do you see Gerrard or Lampard sitting out???
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Whodey309
If he's not invested in the team then he has the right to do what he wants. If he's gone fine. If he comes back he needs to show he's willing to work for a spot on the team. I will not be welcoming him with open arms.
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Nate
If he plays he plays if not we move on
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Fernando
seffga
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asdfgasdf
For everything Landon has done for us, I respect his every decision.
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Kevin
Landon has and always will be a big part of soccer in America. He has done so much for the sport in this country and if he feels like he shouldn't be playing anymore then by all means step away from the game. Some people may be disappointed, but if you know that this is what you want to do then there is no doubt in mind that the fans will support your decision. I really hope that he decides to come back and help lead us to the 2014 World Cup. However if he is not 100% sure that he wants to play then please stay away. I do not want to sound mean because i am a huge fan and would love for him to return, but he is no good to the team if he isnt into the game. I wish you the best of luck and a lifetime of happiness in whatever you decide to do.
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Adam
Don't know the guy but seens spoiled and a little petulant since coaching change.
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vgn
see you later, Landycakes. You go follow you desires, that is fine. But you cannot expect, nor deserve, a spot on the roster of a team that you've abandoned in the stretch run of WC qualifying. Thank you for '02 and '10, but your time is done.
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Nathan
First of all, you make that decision when you sign a contract. Hence, professional. I'm sorry you missed out on some things in life. You chose to pursue those! If you don't want to play, fine. Go live in Cambodia, and re-live your college years you missed out on. With that being said, you chose players in a squad based on ability and relying on what they give you. If you don't know what you're getting you can't rely on them. Building the chemistry and style of the team should be done without Landon by him choosing not to be there.
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-anonymous
I am so mad at you Landon! I am so mad at you!
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WHY?
Make room for another player. Get the hell off the team, old man.
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Chris
Vaya con Dios, Landon!
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Dave
Go in Peace, Land-O! you have done your duty. enjoy the good life
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Leonardo
