Major League Soccer is underway, and I have had the
pleasure of watching a number of very entertaining games thus far.
Over this past off season the league lost a number of big names,
which worried spectators in a number of circles. One big name who is absent from the league, but who has not moved on is of course Landon Donovan. The
long time American hero is currently taking a sabbatical from the
game to assess his life and future options. In recent weeks Donovan
has been spotted at various places including a USC speaking
engagement and surprisingly in Cambodia playing pick up soccer with
local children. I have always been a fan of Donovan and truly respect
his introspective personality, but I think this reeks of
unprofessional behavior. Donovan took the chance to rest this whole
MLS off season and has not been playing with the national team
recently. One would believe this was a good amount of rest for a top
level professional soccer player, but Donovan needed more. The LA
Galaxy are allowing Donovan to return to practice at the end of
March, while during that time span he will miss a number of league
games, and their Champions League quarterfinals. Any where else in
the world and this probably wouldn't be tolerated; Donovan would be
dropped and possibly jettisoned from the team. Also think of the
double standard between this situation and when Donovan called out
David Beckham for his commitment to the Galaxy. I know I can never put myself in
his shoes, and he doesn't owe us anything, but for American soccer
to reach new heights, there needs to be a higher standard of
professionalism.
