Landon Donovan’s Audition Becomes A Masterpiece In Gold Cup

There was a time not so long ago when people began to wonder if Landon Donovan’s days were numbered with the United States National Team.

Not that he was too old, or not good enough. More about whether he really wanted to be part of it anymore.

For one reason or another, he had not been part of a lot of U.S. rosters since Jurgen Klinsmann was named national coach. His extended break from soccer during the offseason, left him off the team in January and later when the final round of World Cup qualifying began.

There were questions about fitness, about whether he really wanted to return to the national team, whether he was ready to turn the page on his soccer career and go off and do something different.

In the end, he didn’t hold much control in the matter, other than how he felt and how he would react. Kli[show_disconnected][show_to accesslevel=’Subscriber’]nsmann held the trump card, which was whether or not to invite him into camp.

Finally, Klinsmann named him to the Gold Cup while most of the other first team players went on vacation or back to their club teams. How would the marquee player play with the second string?

To his credit, Donovan embraced the opportunity and has not only played extremely well, he has proven to be a leader and a contributor. His attitude, enthusiasm and leadership has blended well with the others.

He has been the engine that has driven the train into the semifinals of the Gold Cup.

In the tournament he became the all-time U.S. scoring leader in goals and assists. He said that every game was an audition for his return to the national team. He has been playing like a man who understands who holds the trump cards, and who runs the auditions.

After the 5-1 quarterfinals victory over El Salvador, when Donovan scored a goal and assisted on three others, Klinsmann spoke about how Donovan had impacted the game.

“For us we take it one game at a time,” said Klinsmann. “Landon proved today how valuable he is and how he can make a difference.

“For us as coaches, it’s important to see who is a difference maker out there, who when maybe things go a little bit the wrong way they take the game on their feet. Landon was one of those players.”

After the game Donovan talked about the team.

“We’re getting more and more comfortable and the beauty of it is, we can score and create chances in a lot of different ways. Obviously, our set pieces have been very good. When we move the ball quickly and break teams down through the middle of the field, we’ve had chances that way. We’ve done a very good job of getting chances wide, in getting crosses in the box. Counterattacks, we’re getting chances. So we’re scoring in all different ways.”

There are a lot of “we’s” in those comments, and not a single “I.”

And yet, Donovan’s individual performances have blended into the team effort, and he has made those around him better.

Against Guatemala in the warmup game before the Gold Cup, he had two goals in his first game back in a U.S. jersey. A goal and two assists against Belize.

Another goal against Cuba, and the assist on Brek Shea’s goal that beat Costa Rica, 1-0, a first-touch pass into space that may have been worthy of a highlight reel.

Then against El Salvador he assists on the first, third and fifth goals, sets up the second and scores the fourth. It doesn’t get any better than that.

The teammate who knows him best, DaMarcus Beasley, isn’t surprised by the way Donovan has played.

“It’s no surprise to me,” said Beasley. “He thrives in this kind of tournament. He thrives when people start doubting him. He doesn’t worry about the media. He doesn’t worry what people say. He just goes out and plays football. That’s what I applaud him for.”