Where is our #10?

In the beautiful game, the number 10 has always meant being the playmaker, the facilitator, the trusted one. Landon Donovan has always been that person for American soccer throughout his career, until now. The reigning champion hasn't kicked a ball for his club or country since the whistle blew in Los Angeles on December 1st and the effects of his absence are getting more influential as the clock ticks down to his return.

The captain's armband is being worn by Robbie Keane for the LA Galaxy and the MLS Cup winners are already in a position to evolve without David Beckham. After months of silence, Landon announced in February that he would return to training "by the end of March." Bruce Arena has called upon his young guns to step up and veteran Mike Magee to lead the attack. But the Galaxy face arguably the toughest season yet in pursuit of an unprecedented three-peat as numerous teams around the league have bolstered their rosters with designated players, SuperDraft signings, and blockbuster trades.

Tim Cahill, Australian international and NYRB designated player, called for Donovan to "embrace the weight of the world," and to "question why you play football." As a former teammate of Landon's at Everton, Cahill got to know Donovan well and can even draw strong comparisons to him. Both have been captains of international sides for countries whose national sport it not soccer. Both have had success playing in Europe as well as brought unparalleled stardom to Major League Soccer.

It's this "weight of the world" that has Landon Donovan publicly questioning his own commitment to the sport. Twelve MLS seasons, two loan spells in England, numerous grueling World Cup Qualifiers, and a tough extra time loss to Ghana in South Africa have seemingly taken their toll on the mind and body of the 31 year old Californian.

However, now may be the most important time for him to return to the game on an international level. Dropping the opening game in the Hex to Honduras and facing a tough schedule ahead of them, the USMNT is feeling a whole lot of pressure. Defensive woes aside, the US don't have a clear playmaker. Michael Bradley does well to win balls in the middle but he doesn't have another midfielder to help facilitate the attack. Dempsey and Altidore have proven themselves as lethal goal scorers in European premier leagues but they look tame without someone to feed them the ball in the middle to attacking third.

No other active player in American soccer has the experience of Landon Donovan. He's seen it all when it comes to World Cup Qualifying in CONCACAF. Rocks thrown at team busses, high fences in hostile territories, and obscenely poor pitch conditions may be new to some of the players on the current USMNT roster, but not to Landon Donovan. And it's clear now more than ever that Jurgen Klinsmann needs a number 10 to lead them through the qualifying if they want to have a fighting chance at a trip to Brazil in 2014.

Off Season Wrap Up, part 1.

Last year may have been the year of the Wondo when San Jose's striker tied Roy Lassiter's single season all time goal record at 27, but this year it could be another striker's chance at the mark. Many teams in the league revamped their strike force in what proved to be quite a busy offseason.

Starting in the Western Conference, there are two new sheriff's in town at FC Dallas. Kenny Cooper and Eric Hasseli have bolstered the Hoops attack despite the letting go of Brek Shea this off season. Hassli has scored 13 goals in the past two seasons playing for two of the Canadian teams while Cooper was last years runner up to the Golden Boot while playing for RBNY.

Real Salt Lake have filled holes in their attack by bringing in Joao Plata from Toronto and welcoming back former USMNT forward Robbie Findley. Their Rocky Mountain neighbors in Colorado snatched Edson Buddle from the reining MLS champions. If Buddle can find his form again, he could still be a lethal threat to opposing defenses.

Robbie Keane ended last year on an incredible hot streak, scoring 5 goals in 5 playoff matches on the Galaxy's march to the Cup. His Castrol Player Index number actually put him ahead of Wondolowski last season and above all other players in MLS.

These Western Conference teams were not the only movers and shakers this offseason. In the next installment of Off Season Wrap Up, I'll take a look at the changes made in the Eastern Conference where new coaches will make their debut and familiar faces return to MLS. 

26 Days Until First Kick!

It seems like only yesterday we were singing and yelling at the Home Depot Center during MLS Cup 2012. One side of the stadium yelling, "DAVID!" as the opposite end replied, "BECKHAM!" That ball in from Juninho. That jumping header from Omar Gonzalez. The energy that sparked a comeback victory by the LA Galaxy over the Houston Dynamo for a second straight season. But that is all legend now. It's time to lace up the boots and start training camp for another run the title.

During the next (thankfully) few weeks, I will preview the 2013 MLS season with a recap on transfer news, SuperDraft rookies, and expectations of all kind. Also, I'll keep an eye on the difficult task ahead of the US Men's National Team as they begin the final round of World Cup Qualification matches en route to Brasil 2014. "The Hex" begins tomorrow for the red, white and blue as they face the daunting task of playing in Honduras in San Pedro Sula. A balanced squad of Euro based players and MLS stars must prove they can fight the battle that lies ahead of them as a squad united.

 Can I kick it in 2013?! YES YOU CAN!

USMNT v. Spain/Gold Cup Roster 2011

GK: Tim Howard, Nick Rimando, Marcus Hahnemann

D: Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Spector, Oguchi Onyewu, Steve Churundolo, Jonathan Bornstein, Tim Ream, Eric Lichaj, Clarence Goodson

M: Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, Maurice Edu, Jermaine Jones, Benny Feilhaber, Sacha Kljestan, Freddy Adu, Robbie Rogers

F: Jozy Altidore, Juan Agudelo, Chris Wondolowski


Our goalkeeping corps is as strong as ever with Timmy leading the way between the posts. Look for this to be Hahnemann's last Gold Cup effort and Rimando to be the number two option when resting Howard. The evolution of the US defense system continues with captain Carlos Bocanegra and veteran Oguchi Onyewu mentoring MLS stand-out Tim Ream. Solidarity at the back continues to be a focus for Bob Bradley, as well as good distribution to the very capable offensive unit.

The midfield proves once again to be the national team bank of stars. Landon Donovan is red hot after scoring 8 in a row with the league leading Los Angeles Galaxy and Clint Dempsey has set a new record for American goal scoring in the English Premier League this season at Craven Cottage. The young Bradley is hungry for playing time after his recent move to the bench of Aston Villa. The surprise pick here is Freddy Adu, who is currently in good form playing in the Turkish 2 Lig, helping to elevate his team into the promotion playoff.

The potential of strike force that the USA has shown in recent friendlies is boiling to a head, all fueled by an 18 year old passionate US Soccer player. Agudelo will be paired once again with Jozy at the top giving a quick one, two combination. But it will be MLS's Mr. Consistant, Chris "Wondo" Wondolowski, who may make some noise for himself at the Gold Cup.

Carlos Bocanegra, Timmy Howard, Landon Donovan, and Clint Dempsey lead the way again for a determined United States on the road to getting the Gold Cup back from rivals "El Tri," Mexico. Javier Hernandez is astounding in England, but will the long championship campaign catch up to Chicharito? And does Rafa Marquez have another Gold Cup left in his aging legs?

The US Men's National Team kick things off with a warm-up against World Cup holders Spain on June 4th in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Gold Cup group play begins against our neighbors to the north, Canada on June 7th in Detroit, Michigan.



"Let's go get our cup back." -US Captain Carlos Bocanegra via Twitter.


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