Donovan strikes in Bayern Munich victory

 

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO

Landon Donovan is having himself quite the time at Bayern Munich. Just two days after enjoying his debut with FC Hollywood, the U.S. National Team all-time leading goal scorer accomplished another feat. He scored for the German giants.

Donovan, who replaced Luca Toni at half-time, trapped the ball in the 91st minute before turning and burying i

t to the bottom left corner. The goal (at 5:14 of the clip) put the nail in the coffin for Jurgen Klinsmann's side as they prevailed 3-1 against Saudia Arabian side Al-Wehda.

Though the goal happened in a friendly, as opposed to aregular season fixture or Champions League clash, the 26-year-old can take his well-taken shot as a confidence booster heading into next week's Bundesliga action.

Donovan and Bayern Munich take on Hamburg SV on January 30.

What do you think of Donovan's goal? Has Donovan assured himself of a starting spot in next week's match against Hamburg with his two performances? If he does start, which forward will sit?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[John]

The goal was very nice. Not much celebration though (it it a friendly after all).

[Tony in Quakeland]

I don't know about a "starting slot" but I do think he's earning a spot in the rotation. I suspect that Klinsmann will want to get Donovan his baptism quickly. He will undoubtedly play, either starting or getting significant sub minutes against Hamburg.

Naysayers will call out the fact that these were exhibitions against inferior teams (albeit inferior teams seeking to make a name for themselves by showing well against a giant). Be that as it may, but Donovan has performed well with the chances he has been given. I think that as he and his teammates get used to one another, he will be an excellent player for Bayern Munich.

[DGinLA]

Way to go Landy. Even though this wasn't hamburg or leverkusen, it still was good to see a yank actually do something other than defend in germany.

[Adam]

i see him a sub in the 67th, depending on scoreline

[Squard]

When did Donovan learn how to "turn & shoot"? He never does that for the U.S!

[Rob C]

That's a very good goal. Perfect first touch, perfect finish.

Yes, it's in a friendly against inferior competition, but you need to show the coaches that you can score in games like that. That's how people like Donovan earn playing time.

I think this is going to work out for Landon. Even the opening shot which shows him smiling on the bench is encouraging. You can tell he's more comfortable in Europe now than he was when he was a teenager.

[Elliott]

Even if he doesn't get a starting slot, I think he's shown he can work well with Bayern's attackers.

I agree with Tony and think it's likely he'll merely be "in the rotation." However, at a club like Bayern, that's quite an accomplishment and I'm hopeful LD will do well in the minutes he's given.

[Aguinaga]

Agreed he looks confident, all the best to him. But is it not German, or just not Bayern Munich policy to celebrate even a little after a goal in a friendly? Bunch of Rod Stricklands...

[Justin]

Get back to me when he is playing against the competition of the Bundesliga. Then if he is performing the same way that would be a good story to publish.

[The Gentleman Masher]

Good goal...don't know if a chance like that would come as easily in the BL.

It'd be nice to see him playing in support of Klose and Toni...and I hope he gets some significant time in his brief stint over there.

[New Bayern Fan]

Who is # 26 from Al-Wehda he undressed the Bayern Defense!!!Go Landon and Luca a dream come true for an Italian American!!!
New Bayern Fan

[Cam]

I really hope he stays in Germany. He'd be a stud by summer 2010. And, it would give the LA the cap room to get some depth on their roster.

[srfinger]

How about the header off the bar and the nifty touch to spring the last attack?

Saudi goal was ridiculous.

[This Guy]

Donovan played well in his limited time. I don't see him starting anytime soon. If it was up to Jergen he would start but fans certainly don't like him (check Bayern message boards for reference) and the Bayern board is skeptical. He keeps playing like this then they have no choice but to warm up to him. Not only the goal but he seems to have adopted a shoot first approach when around the box. He pulled a whistler from about 20 meters out that went about a meter wide of the post in his last match. His first touch has looked crisp in both matches and his ability to keep the flow with the ball at his feet is something I didn't see from him in the 2nd half of the MLS season. All in all he looks like a completely different player than I have seen in the last 2or3 years from him. These are friendlies but when Ribery and Toni are playing hard and trying to create then Vandon deserves credit for a goal.
Bayern fans are convinced this is a Beckham situation where Vandon will be at Munchen to keep his fitness up and not a permanent situation. I'm only saying what my friends from Munchen are telling me not with any insider information.
Bayern Munich doesn't celebrate after goals in friendlies, that is a Jergen rule as far as I understand it. They haven't celebrated any of the 6 goals in the friendlies.
For reference: I lived near Munich for about 3 years and frequented many pubs and have lifelong friends that are lifelong Bayern supporters and that's where I got my information from. They also refer to him as
Vandon with a V. Kinda funny.

[jddjsjsjdd]

Donovan will be a super-sub for BM. Which ain't bad. Toni and Klose are both over 30, he can use that to his advantage.

[NATO]

Come 2010 we will have the best roster in US World Cup history.

Altidore Donovan
Torres Dempsey
Kljestan Bradley
Spector Boca Gooch Cherundolo

Each of our players starting for quality teams. I imagine Torres with his solid play might even catch the eyes of some European clubs sometime this year.

[Brett]

Fantastic finish.

Cry about the level of competetion all you want, but I didn't see Luca Toni making these B-rate Arabian defenders look silly. This may be a warm-up friendly for Bayern, but these Arab teams want BADLY to win these games to prove they can hang with a European giant.

Give Lando some props. He's two friendlies in with a new club and he's already found himself on the sheet twice. Keep it up LD!

[A.S.]

Good for Donovan, although I echo the others that I'm waiting until we see him play against fairly equal talent, rather than Middle Eastern sides.

"Donovan and Bayern Munich take on Hamburg SV on January 30. ... What do you think of Donovan's goal? Has Donovan assured himself of a starting spot in next week's match against Hamburg with his two performances?"

January 30 appears to me to be two-and-a-half weeks away, not next week.

[Mango]

Some of you guys need to get over yourselves.

If the competition was so inferior, then why didn't Toni or Klose have 3 goals? Or even 1 goal? I've been as big a critic of LD as anyone, but give credit where it's due. He made space for himself and put the ball out of reach of the keeper for a goal.

Great goal.

[Gabe]

Ribery's goal was ridiculous!!!!

[BlueWhiteLion]

First Impressions (granted, just from small clips):

Toni sucked.

Ribery is very talented.

Landon looked great.

I really don't get the reserved, almost backhanded compliments of some posters here. In any clip we have seen, Landon has shown a variety of good things: nice flick ons and passes (leading to a goal in game one, and a near goal in 94 min in game two), great pace, a strong near goal header, a great turn on goal shot. Sure you take into some account the quality of opponents, but what we saw is raw ability and instinctive skill. We have seen that in MLS play (again, in some games, I don't care WHO they were playing, you saw quick decisive kicks that displayed pure talent--I am thinking of at the very least, one of his hat trick games).

Do you say Luca Toni is a crap player now because against an inferior opponent he appeared to stink it up all over the place?

He still could be a super sub--especially if he is merely on loan--but I would not be at all surprised to see him start occasionally or even frequently. Listen to Klinsmann's assessment of Donovan, and you don't get a hint of "sub." You hear: "this guy has unique traits and will serve to expand what we can do and how we do it." So far he has called Donovan his (for now) number 3 striker.

[Michael F.]

I suspect Landon will not start but get a lot of minutes.
He will earn a starting role quickly, though.

[Ceez]

I think it's nothing to get too excited over. It's not top competition. Nice to see him get some quality plays but nothing too exciting. I'm not putting him down. I just think we should wait to see what happens come Bundesliga time.

Good job Landon.

[MVK]

close to a hat trick really, he headed that one off the cross bar, scored, then if whoever he feed that ball to on that break would have given it back to him near post instead of playing a horrible chip back post, he could have had his possible third... not bad for a half, yes this isnt BL, but you either play well or you dont..

[Barry U]

He will be fine. LD should have been in Europe 3 years ago. Talent is not the issue it was maturity and personal things keeping him in the US(Oh and $900K a year, hot actress girlfriend/wife and living in your home state is not to bad).

At Bayern he will play some off the bench, start some cup matches and maybe get a sniff in europe (not sure about rosters having to be set). In the end he will be back with Bayern or another euro team.

Bottom line is he has the goods for europe. Maybe not a perfect fit for huge clubs like Bayern or Man U or Barcelona but the level below that is right in his wheelhouse like Aston Villa, Villareal, Hamburg, etc.... Just my opinion.

[wjmooner]

Seems to me there are a lot of folks who underestimate Landon, even among his American fans. He's the best American field player (by far) and should be an automatic starter for about 90% of the teams in Europe. Of course, he chose to go to one of those 10% where he wouldn't be, but that doesn't mean he can't be a valuable part of the rotation and start on occasion and when there are injuries.

[Blake]

I was most impressed by his role in the last build-up of the game. great flick-on, and he made a tidy run - if they would have passed to him there, he would have scored easily.

[Dave]

It's always good to score no matter when you do it...but lets hope this doesn't turn into another Clint Mathis-type Germany experience.

[BlueWhiteLion]

put it this way: if Landon HADN'T scored, or assisted, or done anything of note, or not cracked the lineup . . .

. . . but he DID all of them. What more can you ask?

This Guy: Interesting info. Thanks! I also lived 3 years in Munich, but probably way before you. My contacts are not as fresh! Servus!

[BlueWhiteLion]

Just FYI:

The Bavarian paper, Suddeutsche Zeitung, sees Donovan as the "winner" of the trip, and believes he will be the "first choice" off the bench. :)

[Garrett]

How can you say he will earn a starting role quickly... what a joke. Toni is pure class for the Bundesliga and Ribery is very talented (one of the best on the French Nat's). Just being a 3rd option behind these two is a great accomplishment unless they can go to a 3 man front line with Toni and a CF. Then Lando can regularly start, or as an AM option.

Anyone know what current formations Bayern like to use? I know Sweinsteiger is an institution on the wing...

[Cory]

I'm on board the recent posts - euro snobs always wear a stinky cologne.

I don't get where people aren't sure of his technical skills or performing on the big stage. Didn't he win the Golden Ball at the 1999 U-17 WC and win best young player at WC 2002? This is the cream of the crop and he was amazing in both competitions. If anybody else watched the QF game against Germany, he was on the field with Klose and Ballack and outplayed them by a mile. If you want to see him play against BL competition, just watch that game over and over. He has the technical ability and class to stay with anybody on any field.

And enough with the bad competition. How many people watched with bated breath with Barca came to NY and beat up on the Red Bulls? Did anybdoy say, "Yeah, that Xavi goal looked ok I guess, but look who he's playing."

Some people are just quickly coming to the realization that crow doesn't really taste that good.

[Nicole]

The Bayern message boards I read, they do seem to like him. And they're all too eager to get rid of Poldi.

[Danny]

I'm not sure if he lasts at Bayern, but he's not going to be in LA much longer. He's done enough already to warrant a Euro club snatching him up.

Go Landon! Mature, grow up, work hard, and lead the USA to glory in 2010!

[Eric Sornoso]

Impressive display by Landon. Next World Cup should be a great year for the U.S. team.

[JC]

"I was most impressed by his role in the last build-up of the game. great flick-on, and he made a tidy run - if they would have passed to him there, he would have scored easily."

Posted by: Blake | January 13, 2009 at 11:33 AM

I agree, I was more impressed with that pass than the goal. The goal was okay I guess, though a lot had to do with how bad the defending was, but that pass at the end was just great to watch.

[Homey Boehme]

I hate to say this, but how much about Donovan's success to we have to thank David Beckham for? I mean...I don't think Donovan had as much confidence in his own abilities until he started getting quality balls in the box (from Mr. Goldenballs himself). As much as I despise Beckham, if this Bayern move works for Landycakes and he elevates his game to new heights I would at least tip my hat Beckham's way.

I understand why people are skeptical. Donovan always looks good against the minnows we throttle for World Cup qualifying too. Still, he put in very good work and shows why he is worth a shot at cracking the lineup. I am happy with the way he's playing, but will look to see how he does against league competition and/or how he handles riding the bench for a couple games without subbing. I think we will know more about where LD is at that point.

[eric]

I think Donovan was brought in to play, starting as an impact sub. The one dimension Munich lacked was a blazing fast forward like Donovan is. He is exactly what is missing from that team, but I think it would be silly to expect him to start immediately with all the talent. He'll get his shot, and then it will be VERY interesting to see what he can do!

And I totally buy the theory that Beckham influenced Donovan's approach in a good way, just as I think Donovan doesn't hit those stupid balloon ball corners anymore.

[Travis in Miami]

Homey Boehme - I'm with you. i think there's definitely a different Beckham Effect going on here. Landy Kuchen's set pieces and corners sure improved after Becks arrived. Coincidence? I'll let you decide. I'm assuming a lot but i bet Becks was in his ear about how he could compete at a high level, which, yeah, probably would have helped his confidence.

I would be pleseantly suprised if he were to start against Hamburg. That being said Klinsmann has said that he gives them something different that Klose and Toni who are more or less the same types of players. I just think the Hamburg game might be a little too big to try something new - more likely a sub.

[Travis in Miami]

More friendlies to come:

Saturday 17 January: Friendly in Bamberg Monday 19 January: Friendly v Kaiserslautern (A)
Thursday 22 January: Friendly v FSV Mainz 05 (A)

Then:

Tuesday 27 January: DFB Cup Round of 16 v VfB Stuttgart (A)

[Mig]

Homey and eric...on board with the Beckham influence. The dude is "born again hard."

[Der Amerikanische Kaiser]

Wunderbar tor Landon! Keep up the good play, but don't let it all go to your head. Keep your head in the game.

Not so sure he will get the nod over Toni or Klose at HSV. Although, if he keeps showing his worth, Toni may be on the market this summer.

My biggest concern now is the dismal performance by the FCB abwehr (defense). That was a more pitiful showing than the first test match. If Bayern think they can continue through the Bundesliga and Champions league playing defense like that, they have another thing coming.

That said, wouldn't it be great to see a rematch of the 99' CL classic: ManU v Bayern.

[Der Amerikanische Kaiser]

Homey Boehme? Is this my long lost Redleg brother of Cincy and USMA fame?

Spot on wrt to Bechkam effect-deal made a huge impact in his performance over the past two MSL seasons and Herr Klinsmann saw that effect. Now he has 10 Bechkams surrounding him.

[nelsonis]

that looked like donovan that hit the post, amirite?

and in the very end of the clip when it was like 4 on 1, landon was clearly in the best position to score, im sure if it were not a friendly Klinnsman would have tore the guy who shot a new one for not passing it to lando.

also, lmao at how easily that guy tore thru the bayern D, right back tackled like 5 seconds too early and center back makes no attempt to tackle at all, sup wit dat.

[Brett]

Landon is making Klinsy think long and hard about changing his system.

Right now he uses Toni and Klose up top as a pair, even though both are nearly the same player. He likes to use Schweini and Ribery as free runners, with Ze Roberto/Van Bommel and Borowski playing behind and picking when to get forward. Ribery runs all over the place but hes usually center aligned left.

If Landon earns a spot to start, it will be either Klose or Toni who gets dropped and it will signify a change of system for Klinsmann, who needs a player like Landon running and working to open up the field.

He is first sub at this point and not many would argue unless they still believe in Poldi or are Turkish (Altintop). I think he's prime to start a handful of matches, especially if either Klose or Toni shows a lapse of form.

[Travis]

Well done to him. Hopefully it'll boost his confidence and he will keep going.

[BlueWhiteLion]

Brett, I am with you on wondering about formation options for Bayern to take advantage of Donovan. Not sure why you play Klose and Toni together unless you believe you have great service from two sides and you are trying to take advantage of aerial assaults with those giants. Toni is a good player, but he was bad in all of those clips in that last game. It is clear, however, that LD brings a whole new bag of tricks to their attack, although frankly he and Ribery seem to have some overlap. And Ribery is not opposed to moving on either. Wonder how that mixes in. --On that note, if Bayern asks 11.5 mill for Ribery, I doubt they will pay that for LD? And how does that figure for ALtidore's fee being 10 mill . . . would MLS allow LD to go for less than that? QUestions.

Ami-Kaiser, man that war schreckliches Abwehr. With you on that.

And with several, I also could not believe Donovan didn't get the pass on that second half run that he flicked on. That dude was racing . . . and in prime position for a strike.

[Der Amerikanische Kaiser]

BLW? With a name like that, you sound like the derby enemy in 1860 Munchen. You should be more worried about 1860 getting raped this winter transfer season.

You are right, Toni is not making his case, and I think Klinsmann is re-evaluating his options, but that will play out in the coming matches back home on German soil. Still don't think it will be in Donovan's favor until he shows his worth coming off the bench in the BL which is hopefully sooner rather than later.

[This Guy]

BlueWhiteLion,
I think you hit a bullseye. Regardless of how well Vandon plays it will come down to an Bayern to MLS take it or leave it. Because, MLS will think alot higher than Bayern so, the question is how much will MLS budge because Bayern Munich ain't gonna.
I would be interesting to guess the price and later on see how close we all came, or how far off we were.
I'm guessing MLS price $9 million
and Bayern at $4-$5 million
The water settles at $5.5 million

[BlueWhiteLion]

you are a smart man, Kaiser. Let me just say I used to walk in to the clubhouse on Gruenwalder Str. with an FCB sticker on my adidas bag . . . obviously I was on a younger team, otherwise . . . :) I love both, really, but if kids asked me: "bist to Bayer oder 60er", I'd answer the latter.

1860 has had a very hard existence.

As for Toni, sometimes you just don't have it. I am sure he will again soon, tho.

[BlueWhiteLion]

lol, Vandon Donowan. You think as low as 5.5? I don't know that they'd do that low. Be interesting.

edit: "bist DU." geesh.

[Jacob A.]

My favorite part of this: The Al-Wehda keeper using an FCB sub jersey cause he was wearing a black shirt.

Well, besides the goal.

[bung]

Goals scored in games where the keeper wears a pinney don't count!

[NOLA soccer fan]

I hope that Donovan doesnt come back to the mls till hes like 35 or 36.

its good for him to make some strides in europe. and bayern seems to be the best place for him....

[vu]

About FCB lousy defense in these friendlies, that is to be expected because the players are asked not to risk injuries so they will likely leak goals easier than in league games which they are tied in first place.
As for landon's performance slightly better than Toni, only landon is more motivated to perform since he is on trial, the rest of the players are just participating to stay fit.
In addition, toni and klose like landon because an american player will not threaten their status in the team as with polski and comming olic.
These friendlies will help to justify landon as a sub in league competition if he continues to do well and league playing time will justify a contract if he doesn't fail at that level. At the moment, Toni and klose have consistency, landon still have to prove on that.
About 2010, I doubt the US will repeat a 2002 WC. First, it was luck because the loss to Poland almost got them eliminated from first round. Second, it was a better team. Claudia Reyna is a better central midfielder and leader than Michael Bradley. Reyna control the pace and the flow of the game, M. Bradley doesn't even come close to that.

[BlueWhiteLion]

vu--you are probably right about the defense in these friendlies, as well as Donovan being more motivated. But the assessment that Donovan doesn't threaten them because he is American--EVEN if the players themselves think that, and how would we even know that?--is way off base. I doubt Klinsmann of all people has hesitance toward Americans at all. If he does, he is going to be heading to marriage counseling straightway.

Wonder if Berhalter of rival 1860 has welcomed Donovan to Munich yet?

In 2002, sure the US had a little luck, both good and bad. At this stage, I would also think they were slightly more mature and skilled than the current team. But a lot can happen in one year, with the players we have coming on stronger and getting good play in good leagues. You never know. But 02 sure was special. And we didn't back down from the mighty Germans . . . almost should have had that game--We need more gutsy performances like that, and like against Italy in 06, or Argentina last year. Much of the time we run scared like against Germany in 98 or England in 08. Drives me nuts.

[Adam Alfi]

By the way, that was not the Al Wehda team, that was more like a mix of arab all stars. They had players from all over the middle east on that team, and it was treated more like a kick around...

[Der Amerikanische Kaiser]

BLW - Are you in Munchen? Am in Heidelberg. Berhalter - Great first half of season for 1860. A solid back, but think this will be his last. Saw him here against Hoffenheim when Wolf was playing at 1860. Am he will make some time for a Paulaner or Hacker-Pschorr. As for running scared-couldn't agree with you more. When we step on the pitch in European soil against someone other than Poland, Sweden or Denmark, we fall flat on our face? What's up with that? Intimidation, Fear that's it. We have got to get beyond that and hopefully Donovan will succeed here and that will wear off on the Nats.

Vu - I was thinking like you the past two months, but I am becoming a believer--knock on wood. I hope your assumption "Toni and Klose like Landon because an American player will not threaten their status in the team as with Poldi and incoming Olic" is way off the mark. Don't think Klinsmann would take that risk if he truly didn't think something was there. As for better MF, Ramos is by far the best America has ever produced. I know, I played against him in HS in Jersey and in college in NC.

[BlueWhiteLion]

Nein, Herr Kaiser, I left Muenchen in Dec 1979. Glad you got to see die Loewen.

Adam, thanks for the info on what team actually played. As for how someone views a game ("kick around"), maybe that is true, but I would think there is always pride on the line, especially if you were playing a world renowned team like Bayern.

[vu]

Bluewhitelion and der kaiser, when I said American I don't mean as national stereotype, but as skill level. Although I am a big fan of landon, many would agree that he is not considered as talented as poldi or olic. The market value for them speaks for itself. Landon is a lot cheaper than the other two. I personally do not believe landon is cheaper because he is so much inferior in skills but more because he is american. Also, playing too long in MLS discounts the price too. If all this time he was playing in a small club in the premier league, his price would be different.
I agree with you about Ramos. He was good. Every good team needs a good playmaker. When Ramos and reyna get the ball in the middle of the field, they both scan the entire field calmly before distributing, M. Bradley does not have that calm so he often pass back or make short passes to someone nearby. This lack of vision and playmaking is the reason why most recent goals are from set pieces.

We don't play well in Europe because Europeans are just too good and too strong and fast. To play against top competition, the US should focus on defense and fast counter. We don't do well with possesion so if we improve defense and fast counter, we can be more consistent like the Italians who are the experts in defense and counter attack.

[BlueWhiteLion]

vu, I agree our (American) possession has loooong been suspect. I think I have seen more effort in playing possession, and slightly more skill at doing so than in years past. However, there is still a mentality problem that is far and away a bigger issue. In some games, we just roll over. But there have been notable times that we have risen to the occasion, and our drive carried our skills along.

[Der Amerikanische Kaiser]

Vu - But if we can hang with the likes of Poland and Sweden on European soil, we should be able to overcome Germany, England and Italy as well. It's mental, in my opinion. I saw the Nats play ENgland in Wembley last May with our A team vs the England A Team and we played with them, but England just sucked. In Germany 06, we played one man down against Italy and should have won that game, we outplayed them.