Agreed. He had a short run but he was incredible in his time in MLS.Any list without Giovinco does not make sense. If we are talking about performers in the MLS he’s ahead of most of those guys.
Why did Donovan not try his luck in Europe properly again when he was at his peak? From memory he looked quite classy on loan at Everton. I read an article about him where he seemed to be suggesting he liked his lifestyle at home and wasn't interested, which is fair enough but also a bit of a shame because that MLS record is seriously impressive.Landon Donovan
He's 2nd all time in goals, 1st all time in assists, was part of a record 6 championship teams, and the MLS MVP award is named after him.
I think you’ve answered your own question there.Why did Donovan not try his luck in Europe properly again when he was at his peak? From memory he looked quite classy on loan at Everton. I read an article about him where he seemed to be suggesting he liked his lifestyle at home and wasn't interested, which is fair enough but also a bit of a shame because that MLS record is seriously impressive.
He tried to make it twice at Leverkusen and once at Bayern, at age 19, 22 and 26, between those three attempts he made the starting lineup once and played 300 minutes. He just wasn't a particularly good player and him suggesting that he just wasn't bothered, when he made five moves to Europe sounds quite interesting.Why did Donovan not try his luck in Europe properly again when he was at his peak? From memory he looked quite classy on loan at Everton. I read an article about him where he seemed to be suggesting he liked his lifestyle at home and wasn't interested, which is fair enough but also a bit of a shame because that MLS record is seriously impressive.
Interesting. I saw Beckham play for LA in 2009 and Donovan was the better player at that point and it wasn't that close. Beckham's long passing was lovely though.I saw Beckham play for LA. Even to someone who'd never been to a game in their life, they would be clear he was the best player on the field, even at that age. Effortless passing just knowing where everyone was. He bossed the game.
Fair enough, was wondering if there was more to it.I think you’ve answered your own question there.
“If you’ve followed my career at all, you will know that I perform best in comfortable surroundings. Though other leagues may seem more enticing to other players, it’s something I’m just not interested in doing personally.” – Landon Donovan
The only place he liked overseas like he did the US was Everton, but the LA Galaxy didn’t want to let him leave permanently.
Just looked at his Wiki and was wondering why an established Serie A player with 23 Italy caps went to Toronto FC at his peak. I suppose this explains it:Any list without Giovinco does not make sense. If we are talking about performers in the MLS he’s ahead of most of those guys.
At his peak? He barely got to play any minutes in the 18 months before his move, recorded two goals, one assist in those 1.5 seasons.Just looked at his Wiki and was wondering why an established Serie A player with 23 Italy caps went to Toronto FC at his peak. I suppose this explains it:
2015 season: MLS MVP[edit]
Giovinco playing for Toronto FC during the 2015 MLS season
On 19 January 2015, Giovinco signed with Canadian team Toronto FC of Major League Soccer (MLS).[52] He was set to join the team upon the completion of the Serie A season in July 2015. He signed a five-year contract with a reported annual salary of $7 million, making him the highest paid player in MLS ahead of Orlando City SC's Kaká,[53] and the highest paid Italian player in all leagues.[54] On 2 February, Juventus announced that Giovinco had left the club five months earlier than originally expected in order to kick-start his career in MLS with Toronto FC.[55]
The conventional peak age anyway. I know nothing of his career.At his peak? He barely got to play any minutes in the 18 months before his move, recorded two goals, one assist in those 1.5 seasons.
Used to stream the games at at supid o'clock, he made it look effortless.I saw Beckham play for LA. Even to someone who'd never been to a game in their life, they would be clear he was the best player on the field, even at that age. Effortless passing just knowing where everyone was. He bossed the game.
He was brilliant at Parma. But he didn't cut it at Juventus. He was a just a bit too small and lightweight.Just looked at his Wiki and was wondering why an established Serie A player with 23 Italy caps went to Toronto FC at his peak. I suppose this explains it:
2015 season: MLS MVP[edit]
Giovinco playing for Toronto FC during the 2015 MLS season
On 19 January 2015, Giovinco signed with Canadian team Toronto FC of Major League Soccer (MLS).[52] He was set to join the team upon the completion of the Serie A season in July 2015. He signed a five-year contract with a reported annual salary of $7 million, making him the highest paid player in MLS ahead of Orlando City SC's Kaká,[53] and the highest paid Italian player in all leagues.[54] On 2 February, Juventus announced that Giovinco had left the club five months earlier than originally expected in order to kick-start his career in MLS with Toronto FC.[55]
Another interesting talent MLS blocked at one time was Clint Mathis when Bayern Munich (and a few others) were inquiring following the 2002 World Cup. Mathis was pissed and it clearly affected his MLS performances thereafter but later got his move in early 2004 after his contract had ended. Yet another abomination that is centrally controlled contracts, single entity lark.I think you’ve answered your own question there.
“If you’ve followed my career at all, you will know that I perform best in comfortable surroundings. Though other leagues may seem more enticing to other players, it’s something I’m just not interested in doing personally.” – Landon Donovan
The only place he liked overseas like he did the US was Everton, but the LA Galaxy didn’t want to let him leave permanently.
This is a bit misleading. He joined Leverkusen at the age of 19, and never settled. He was allowed frequent trips back to the US due to homesickness and allowed to leave to the US on loan. After a few years of being loaned, he returned to Leverkusen and almost immediately requested to be transferred. Despite concrete interest from PL clubs he opted to return to the US.He tried to make it twice at Leverkusen and once at Bayern, at age 19, 22 and 26, between those three attempts he made the starting lineup once and played 300 minutes. He just wasn't a particularly good player and him suggesting that he just wasn't bothered, when he made five moves to Europe sounds quite interesting.
They offered him a high wage while living in one of the world's best countries in terms of quality of living (Canada is always on the top of those lists). He can both win a huge sum while keeping his occidental lifestyle, which would not be possible in case he went to one of the Asian leagues.So can someone please explain to me how Toronto FC managed to sign Bernardeschi, a 39 cap Italy international at the age of 28? What is going on in that league?
Also, I was looking at the average attendance in the USL by club and it appears the crowds in America's second division are actually pretty comparable to crowds in France's second division. I'm guessing the clubs are fully professional with reasonable facilities? Just having two divisions of professional clubs where players can make a living and develop is such a huge advantage over what what we can dream of in Australia at the moment.
I noticed there's even international players from other CONCACAF countries that play in it. Mindblowing.
Was more wondering what they did to prise him away from playing in a big four league ie. what was the salary, was there a transfer fee etc. But I'm sure I could have just googled it.They offered him a high wage while living in one of the world's best countries in terms of quality of living (Canada is always on the top of those lists). He can both win a huge sum while keeping his occidental lifestyle, which would not be possible in case he went to one of the Asian leagues.
USL will grow, and I'm sure MLS will start to consider having demotions and promotions if the number of clubs with large number of supporters become higher
Natural for their league to have tons of CONCACAF internationals: they pay the highest wages in their continent.
