Landon Donovan is figuring things out, or so we hope

March 26th, 2007 | Posted by PostmanE

Given his awful 2006 World Cup - and the fact that I now look on my traditional, commemorative jersey purchase with disdain - I have been down on Landon Donovan. Like, done with him. I mean, he disappeared on the world’s largest stage, right at the moment the U.S. was supposed to be announcing its arrival once and for all. Great players play great in … well, you know the cliche, and Donovan didn’t measure up. (Let’s not forget that DeMarcus Beasley, 1b to Donovan’s 1a, had an awful Cup too.)

Still, his performance yesterday was pretty masterful. Against an Ecuador squad playing a large number of their World Cup starters, Donovan scored all three goals in the 3-1 friendly win. As With Leather writes today, Donovan is indeed less of a pussy, if only marginally so.

And take a look at that last goal - what a cracker. You know what? I think I’ll wear that jersey tonight.

Disliking America has never been more difficult

June 8th, 2006 | Posted by PostmanE

If you have had your head shoved in the sofa cushions for the past few years, than this might be news to you. If not, then you already know.

The World. Does not like. The United States.

I know, I know. Stop the presses, right?

Well, this blog over at the Guardian, by Steven Wells, makes reference to such hate, but does so within the context of the U.S.’ rising international soccer(football) presence.

In fact, blog says, it’s tremendously difficult to hate the Americans this World Cup. Our squad is undermanned and underappreciated, but perhaps the most fit in the world with a necessity for strategic success to win. He can support that, as can I.

Where he makes his best points, though, is where the U.S. goes from here. According to him, it’s up.

The US men’s team is an overdog in embryo. A glance at the stats (pro-soccer in the US is already better attended than in most European countries while the grassroots game continues to explode) tells you that the US will soon be a soccer superpower.

And when that happens this intensely patriotic country will - for the first time ever - have a men’s sports team that can consistently kick international ass (the US women’s soccer team has been doing it for years). And that’s not going to be pretty. There’ll be nothing ‘plucky’ about it. Just the brutal application of raw demographic power.”

For U.S. soccer fans, that can either be a good thing or a bad thing. Which would you rather root for? The underdogs taking on the world, Miracle on Ice style? Or sport’s replication of the U.S. government, fully equipped with the ability to crush all comers?

Eh. We don’t care. As long as our Landon Donovan jersey doesn’t lose its value for a while, we’ll be happy.

Oh and by the way, if you’re bored and want to read quality World Cup opinions, the Guardian’s blog page has like 20 a day. It’s ridiculous, and awesome.