US international Landon Donovan’s story is one of the mysteries of modern world football. A star in his homeland, the 27-year-old all-time US goals and assists leader has never quite made it at the highest level in European club football.A trio of ill-fated stints in Europe, most recently with Bayern Munich last season, have given volume to the voice of doubters and snipers about Donovan’s ability to cut it at the top level.
But at last month’s Confederations Cup in South Africa, Donovan went some way to silencing the critics and winning over the unconvinced with a string of wonderful performances which almost took the US to an unprecedented international trophy.
Make no mistake, Donovan was the driving force behind the US’s unexpected run to the final, scoring two goals and setting up several more.
Indeed, it was no coincidence when coach Bob Bradley tried a new 4-4-2 formation with Donovan looming free behind the strikers after the US had emphatically lost their first two matches, that the American team suddenly bloomed.
Donovan’s free role enabled him to play his natural game and he utilized that opportunity, playing end to end football, defending, creating, attacking, scoring and ultimately leading the way for the Americans.
Put simply, Donovan was immense. And he was immense against world-class opponents like European champions Spain and South American giants Brazil, proving he can cut it at the top.
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