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Wynalda: Does Donovan Have the Guts?
The player many consider the top talent of the U.S. is finally in Europe, but others aren't betting on him to stay there for more than a few days. Eric Wynalda says Donovan needs to show heart.
Nov 13, 2008 4:53:07 AM
As American soccer star Landon Donovan trains in
Europe with Bayern Munich, other speculate on what chance the small
forward/midfielder has to make the squad.
Former Bundesliga striker Eric Wynalda didn't think Donovan was lacking in ability, though he allowed that trying to impress anyone at Bayern Munich would be a true challenge.
"This is a gut check to see how much heart you have," Wynalda told Goal.com. "It's not how much skill you have. It's a test. My only criticism of Landon is that I don't think he has done everything to test himself and make himself better."
After all, Wynalda pointed out, Donovan already has poor track record in Germany, as difficulties with Bayer Leverkusen, his former club, sent him back to Major League Soccer for more playing time.
"Last time, he gave up," Wynalda said. "So let's see how long this lasts. I'm just as curious as the rest of us."
But Wynalda didn't really hold Donovan's first exit from Leverkusen, to go on loan to the San Jose Earthquakes, against him.
"He was young last time," explained Wynalda. "He was sixteen years old. You can understand that situation. That was basically taking the silver spoon out of your mouth and putting your thumb in your mouth. When you're sixteen, that's the way that happens."
The excuse of youth no longer applies a decade later, however.
"This is different," pointed out Wynalda. "He's a man now and it's time for him to prove that he's worth his weight in gold."
In fact, Donovan may be on his way to do just that, as his latest practice with the Bayern senior squad culminated in a scrimmage where he helped his side gain a 6-1 victory.
Though Wynalda's own experience in Germany gives him a background with which to assess Donovan's chances, the retired striker realized that some would dismiss his views as sour grapes. After all, Donovan broke Wynalda's U.S. National Team record for international goals scored earlier this year. Wynalda notched 34 times for the U.S. At only 26 years of age, Donovan has 37 goals to his credit.
"I'm in a tough spot to talk about this, because everyone assumes that I'm the bitter ex-player who has a problem with someone who broke my scoring record," Wynalda acknowledged.
However, Wynalda did admit to a personal rooting interest in the cause of American players who play abroad.
"Anyone like me, who has put heart and soul into a sport to hope that it would grow, finds it discouraging to know that Landon would make the comments that he did last week, that basically the past six years didn't mean that much to him, that he's finally learned how to be a professional and now that he's ready, he's going to go," Wynalda said.
"I want him to dig deep and be a pro. Because if you're going to carry the flag, if you're going to be the best we've got, you'd better carry it the right way."
-- Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com USA
Former Bundesliga striker Eric Wynalda didn't think Donovan was lacking in ability, though he allowed that trying to impress anyone at Bayern Munich would be a true challenge.
"This is a gut check to see how much heart you have," Wynalda told Goal.com. "It's not how much skill you have. It's a test. My only criticism of Landon is that I don't think he has done everything to test himself and make himself better."
After all, Wynalda pointed out, Donovan already has poor track record in Germany, as difficulties with Bayer Leverkusen, his former club, sent him back to Major League Soccer for more playing time.
"Last time, he gave up," Wynalda said. "So let's see how long this lasts. I'm just as curious as the rest of us."
But Wynalda didn't really hold Donovan's first exit from Leverkusen, to go on loan to the San Jose Earthquakes, against him.
"He was young last time," explained Wynalda. "He was sixteen years old. You can understand that situation. That was basically taking the silver spoon out of your mouth and putting your thumb in your mouth. When you're sixteen, that's the way that happens."
The excuse of youth no longer applies a decade later, however.
"This is different," pointed out Wynalda. "He's a man now and it's time for him to prove that he's worth his weight in gold."
In fact, Donovan may be on his way to do just that, as his latest practice with the Bayern senior squad culminated in a scrimmage where he helped his side gain a 6-1 victory.
Though Wynalda's own experience in Germany gives him a background with which to assess Donovan's chances, the retired striker realized that some would dismiss his views as sour grapes. After all, Donovan broke Wynalda's U.S. National Team record for international goals scored earlier this year. Wynalda notched 34 times for the U.S. At only 26 years of age, Donovan has 37 goals to his credit.
"I'm in a tough spot to talk about this, because everyone assumes that I'm the bitter ex-player who has a problem with someone who broke my scoring record," Wynalda acknowledged.
However, Wynalda did admit to a personal rooting interest in the cause of American players who play abroad.
"Anyone like me, who has put heart and soul into a sport to hope that it would grow, finds it discouraging to know that Landon would make the comments that he did last week, that basically the past six years didn't mean that much to him, that he's finally learned how to be a professional and now that he's ready, he's going to go," Wynalda said.
"I want him to dig deep and be a pro. Because if you're going to carry the flag, if you're going to be the best we've got, you'd better carry it the right way."
-- Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com USA
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