Landy Dandy Loaned To Bayern

Well there you have it.  Just as Donovan completed his 10 day training stint in Germany, Bayern has reported that he will join them on loan from January to March. Klinsmann had some positive things to say about Landon’s impression, as posted on the Bayern website (forgive the translation):

“Klinsmann has reported that Donovan in the last days of training a lasting impression did. That is what he also in talks with some experienced players. “He is an incredibly fast player who constantly one-against-one situations examined. He is a completely different Stürmertyp than those who are here as “the Bayern coach is convinced.”

I couldn’t agree more! Landon is such a different Sturmertyp!  Don’t you think so? All kidding aside, this is good news for Landon (obviously) but it also is another big test.  Bayern has stated that the loan will have an option to buy, so Donovan will need to work hard in the spring to make an impact with the German giants.  It will not be pretty if Donovan has to come back with his head low after not winning a contract.

Another article out of England has some more details:

“Donovan has spent a week and a half training at Bayern and scored both goals when the first team, minus players away on international duty, beat the club’s B team 2-1 in a practice match on Wednesday. His performances and attitude in training have impressed Klinsmann, who said he needed a fourth striker in his squad to help cover for any injuries that might hit Luca Toni, Miroslav Klose or Lukas Podolski.”

Fourth striker makes me a little nervous, but it just means that Landon will need to take every chance he gets for Bayern if he wants to stay in Europe. It is exciting though, Donovan is finally gonna need to put his money where his mouth is, and I’m pumped to see that.

What do you all think? Happy? A little nervous? Spit it out!

–psc

More Video of Landon

Another Bayern Munich training video has hit the German internets!  Head over to THIS link to watch the video and this time, the camera man pays some extra attention to Landon (how nice of him).

Not too much goes down in this video.  After 10 minutes of warming up, they go into a small scrimmage and Landon buzzes around blah blah.  Landon scores a tap in and mostly works to keep possession (it seems that they’re playing with a “two touch” rule).

I’m curious to see what happens in the next few weeks after the MLS Cup.  I’m sure Landon will be speaking more and more candidly about his wish to go abroad, and I expect to see at least a few words from Klinsmann and Bayern as well. From the other side, what will the LA Galaxy be saying?  They’ve already stated their intent to keep Landon with the Galaxy, but will they hold their stance as Landon becomes more and more vocal?

SO MANY QUESTIONS!!! Ah well, time will tell.  In the meantime, we have the WCQ against Guatemala coming up tonight, and I will be live blogging that game as it happens!  Hopefully we’ll have a chance to see Kenny Cooper working up top with Jozy Altidore, because every USMNT fan sees lots of potential in that pairing.

Check back later today!

–psc

S-S-Saturday Stuff

Oh Hey Michael Bradley

BMG took on Bayern Munich today in the Bundesliga and Michael Bradley scored the tying goal for Moenchengladbach in the 80th minute.  The game finished 2-2 and Little Mikey went the full 90 and looked alright.  He seemed to be playing more offensively throughout the game and had a handful of attempts on goal, as well as a crucial tackle on Ribery in the 84th minute.. Americans will be happy to see Bradley get on the scoresheet as it helps his case in becoming a crucial member of Meyer’s First XI. Meyer seems to believe in Bradley and hopefully BMG can get some results over the next few games.  A tie at Bayern isn’t a bad start.

Dempsey Gets The Start

Dempsey started on the wing for Fulham today and played a strong 87 minutes before being brought off for Zoltan Gera.  Kudos to Dempsey for putting his head down and working his way back into the starting lineup.  He had some terrific chances on goal in this game and played a part in Fulham’s second goal.  In all, very bright stuff from the American who is making a strong case for his continued inclusion in the starting XI.

What’d you think of the matches?

–psc

VIDEO: Landon Training With Bayern

Mouth-water?

Kudos to Matt over at watchsocceronline.blogspot.com for these gems.  Two videos have emerged from the Bayern Training Grounds over the past two days, and they give us a little peak at Landon in action.

The first video is HERE

In the first vid, they’re mostly playing some small sided games (6v6 or whatever), if you don’t want to watch the whole 20 minute video, just skip to these highlights:

10:45 – Landon scores a goal

13:45 Landon hits a nice cross that leads to a goal

19:50 – some great interplay between Landon and Ribery, leading to a goal.

The second video is HERE

In the second vid, the Bayern lads do some warming up, then at the 10minute mark, they play a larger field 8v8ish scrimmage. Landon lines up as a forward alongside Luca Toni.  Seems like a situation that would only exist in my FIFA 09 manager mode.  Not too many exciting Landon highlights in the second video, but some nice passes, etc.  I hope his training is going well and I hope he impresses, because he does deserve to succeed and he does have all the skill and experience to do so.

Well it looks like I’ve answered my own question.  An article out of kicker.de says that apparently Landon is impressing so far (forgive the broken translation):

Coach Jürgen Klinsmann said that the 26-year-old is happy in the squad and that it’s no secret he would welcome him. He wanted him to move to Munich in the summer window, but failed due to skepticism and the veto of the bosses. But Donovan apparently is in the process of convincing them otherwise.

Thus, Bayern director Uli Hoeneß apparently has been convinced by the former Leverkusen man. “What he showed was okay. Kicken he can,” said Hoeneß on Thursday. In about one week, the German Masters will decide whether Donovan is committed.

“Kicken he can!” Sounds good.

What do you guys think?

–psc

Landon Chillin’ In Munich

Word on the Interstreet is that LD has jetted over to Munich and is training with Bayern so Klinssman and Co can get a better look.  Germany’s kicker writes:

If Jürgen Klinsmann at this Tuesday clock by 15 players of FC Bayern training welcomed, he will welcome a guest: It is Landon Donovan (26). The offensive players from the U.S. for about one week [training]...

…Donovan would be the type of attacker who is behind the master striker Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose would uncomplaining classified – and thus the exodus willing Lukas Podolski in the winter could replace. [Does he have the class?]

The Associated Press also chimes in with this quote from Juergen:

“Landon will train with us in the next 10 days to retain his level of fitness,” Bayern’s coach Juergen Klinsmann said on the club’s Web site Tuesday.

Don’t you just love translated German?  This is some exciting news for Landon as it seems he’s finally grabbing his own future by the balls and taking charge (as opposed to his former priority to just practice juggling on the California beaches).

A move to Bayern would be mouthwatering for any USMNT fan, but could it really happen? Well yes, it could.  The bigger and more scary notion is:  Like most attacking American’s who are abroad this season, would Landon be stuck in a late sub role and just be coming on in the 80th minute of every game?  God I hope not, and if any offensive-minded American has the talent and maturity to start (or play major minutes) in Europe, it’s Landon.  Right? RIGHT??

And then there’s always the problem of: Will the MLS and Galaxy LET Landon leave? Wow, they better.

Rock and Roll.  What do you guys think?

–psc

Landon Donovan Is Ready

As the MLS season closes, Landon Donovan is wasting no time clarifying his desire to try his hand at European soccer. ESPN has a piece today about Landon’s potential future abroad, and here’s the important stuff:

”Competitively I have that itch and I want to go and I will make that very clear to people.”

Donovan said he would approach MLS officials this week to request a move and added that he had told Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena of his wish to join a European club.

”I think the League is aware of my situation and I’ve had brief talks with Bruce about it and let him know, but it’s still early.

”There can be a lot of fluctuation between now and January 1. Teams that are in trouble might be playing great by then and vice versa. Injuries happen and we’ll see where we’re at.”

My Thoughts: Kudos to Donovan for finally sacking up taking on the big leagues.  Hopefully he can land at a strong club and doesn’t end up at West Brom, or Newcastle (yuck).  Even worse, I hope Fulham doesn’t try and buy him.  Our American stars need to diversify their European destinations.  I would be intrigued to see Donovan in La Liga as I think his game is well suited to Spain, but I also wouldn’t be upset if he did indeed end up at Bayern Munich.  We’ll see if Klinsmann is still high on Landon in a month or two.

In all, any move to a more competitive league will only help our USMNT as well.  This is a chance for Landon to truly take his game to the next level.  Whether you love him or hate him, the truth is that Donovan is the best USMNT player of the last 8 years.  If he can elevate his game even more, then he could become an even better threat at the National level.  Granted, I’m going to remain cynical, because there’s also a strong chance that Landon just ends up as a bench player in a Euro league, and we already have plenty of those.  I’d rather be pessmistic and then pleasantly surprised, as opposed to expect the world and then be disappointed.

Where do you think he’ll end up? Germany? England? Spain?

–psc

Landon Donovan and Bayern Munich? Say What?

Is Landon ready for the Varsity Team?

There are some little chirps on the internet, and also over at the Washington Post that Juergen Klinsmann was keen on purchasing LD in the August transfer period.  Ives chimed in as well, saying:

“Apparently Juergen Klinsmann was very interested in adding Donovan, but the Bayern board of directors wasn’t keen on buying a player who is perceived to have twice washed out of the Bundesliga. This led to a discussion between Bayern and Los Angeles about a loan deal with an option to buy. Neither the Galaxy or MLS was interested in that.”

Donovan joining a storied and large European Club? Can it be so?!  Rumor also is saying that Bayern will come back in January with a bid to buy, and that Donovan is very open to a move to the Bundesliga.  This would grant the wishes of USMNT fans everywhere who have longed dreamed of LD giving a serious go at European Football.  I will keep my ear to the ground for more details as they pop up.

My Thoughts: Well shit, Landon at Bayern almost seems too good to be true.  And until some more concrete evidence pops up, I’m still skeptic of this ever happening.  I think it’s more realistic that Landon would join a smaller team in one of the Big Euro leagues, but if it’s true, you have to salivate over the notion of Landon being coached by Klinsmann.  Juergen masterminded some truly excellent attacking soccer with Germany in WC06 and it would be titillating to watch him squeeze the best out of Donovan.  Landon is much more mature now and seems eager to prove himself at the top level, which can only bode well for the future of the USMNT.  He seems ready for Europe so I hope something positive can materialize for him in January.  And Bayern Munich sure would be positive.

What do you think? Do you believe the whispers? Think it’s all fabricated?

–psc