Counterattack: Best U.S. Field Player Abroad

This week's Counterattack features Americans Abroad writer Matthew Braine matching wits with Allen Ramsey of The Short List. The duo debate the merits of Landon Donovan as the top U.S. field player in Europe.

Question: Now that Landon Donovan has joined Bayern Munich on loan, does that make him the best field player that the United States has playing abroad?

Matthew Braine: With Landon Donovan heading to German super power Bayern Munich, the forward will immediately become one of the best American players in Europe. In fact, Donovan's make and model is so good, that a case could be made that he will be the best American player plying his trade in Europe.

Let's face the facts. We have keepers aplenty, including Tim Howard and Brad Friedel. It's difficult to compare keepers with other positional players, so let's keep the two defensive stalwarts out of the equation for now. Donovan, unlike Dempsey, Adu, Bradley, or Altidore, brings 5 Honda Players of the Year Awards with him, along with three MLS Cups, and a goal-scoring record that puts him in elite company. The reigning MLS Golden Boot winner is in prime condition at age 26 and is currently hitting his stride as a striker and all-around player.

Allen Ramsey: All valid points, my friend, but Landon still has much to prove before we can call him the best American field player in Europe. A good spell with Bayern could vault him into the discussion, but as of right now, he's a flop on the Euro scene. Offering up his five Honda player of the year awards as proof of his talent still tells me very little. I think it is important to remember that unlike Adu, Dempsey, Bradley, or Altidore, Landon has gone and come home from Europe once already, presumably because he wasn’t playing much.

For my money, at least until Landon does something for Bayern, the best field player we've got in Europe is Clint Dempsey. He’s scoring goals at a pace of about one every six matches played and just posted a brace against Chelsea all the while playing for a manager that stresses defensive shape more than pretty attacking football.

Braine: It's hard to argue against Clint, given his current stellar form, and I agree that Donovan has so much to prove once he arrives. However, his spell with Bayer Leverkusen in 2004 saw him only make seven appearances, and although Portsmouth tried to scoop him up, the guy wanted to go home. Brian McBride headed to Europe after a fine MLS career and succeeded way beyond expectations and I think that the Galaxy man is capable of such feats.

Based on pure talent, Donovan is without question a truly elite American. He's proven that playing for U.S. National team, scoring a boat load and claiming the top spot among all time scorers. Dempsey on the other hand, has thrived much more on a domestic level than the international level. Not to say that Deuce has not been good for the Men's squad but Donovan has been a notch above for quite some time. The MLS is without question a couple of notches down from the Premiership, La Liga, and Serie A, but the Bundesliga is one step down in my opinion. I think that Donovan, and his nose for goal (84 League Goals and 37 International) have what it takes to succeed on the world stage.

Ramsey: Two answers for you there. First, Landon can score goals, but of late he's been better from the penalty spot and free kicks than in the run of play for the National team. Secondly, he still lacks the ability to play on the flank and defend at a high level. Some would argue that Dempsey has the same problem, which was true two years ago, but Clint has turned into a high quality defender.

The other problem I see with Landon at Bayern is playing time. While he won't have to deal with Dempsey’s problem of playing for a manager who didn't bring him in, he will have to deal with the problem of there being more talent on the field than he is used to. I'm not convinced that a guy who has been an unquestioned starter for all of his MLS teams, and the National team, will be able to deal with not being on the field in big matches.

Braine: I have to agree with you there. I mean, I get why he was brought in, but this seems like a half-hearted training session at times. Bayern Munich are a top world club and it will certainly be tough to break. In my opinion he should have looked at some mid level clubs. He's going from being a big fish in a small pond to a regular old trout in the Great Lake of European soccer.

If he can get some quality appearances and boost his and the managers confidence, then we'll see, but Donovan seems like an emotional guy. He's taking a risk, but he has to know that Europe is where you gain your respect now. And as for his scoring record; penalty, free kicks, as long as they go in, who cares? Ask David Beckham or Cristiano Ronaldo about that. You still have to make them.

Ramsey: I don't mean to bash on his ability to put the ball in the net, but what are the chances- given that he gets on the field- that he, rather than Ribery, Klose, Toni - (you get my point) takes the spot kicks? You’re right; this move could almost be viewed as a high quality training session.

On the other hand, I view this more as an audition for Landon. There are teams in top leagues that could certainly use his pace and nose for the net, but Bayern is not one of them. You're also absolutely right that he is an emotional guy, and he can get away with that as an unquestioned star in the States. In Europe you have to be a grinder with a certain mentality and work ethic (until you build your reputation as a star). The other problem I have with Landon is his inconsistent play. He just doesn't show up sometimes, and in Europe that'll get you a place right behind the manager. I hope he does well, but so many things are working against him right now that it's hard for me to envision him as a star in Europe, at least with Bayern Munich over the next few months.

Counterattack runs every Thursday.

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