IF HE DOESN'T GET THE MAN U JOB...:

Donovan danger: The searing speed and will to win of Landon Donovan can hurt England on Saturday (David Moyes, 6/06/10, Times of London))

Landon Donovan arrived at Everton in January with a nice southern California tan and we laughed because when he left he was as white as me. Landon lost his colour on Merseyside but he gained a lot of friends and a lot of credit. And Everton gained — significantly. For the United States to have a good World Cup, they’ll need Landon to do well. He’s the one who can give them some special moments.

The players and staff at Everton took about 60 seconds of his debut to understand his value. He’s the kingpin of the American team, the closest thing his country have to a big soccer star, yet he has no ego. That was, perhaps, the biggest thing that struck you about him. You noticed it when he walked into the dressing room and you noticed it after about a minute of his first game for us, away to Arsenal. He was playing on our right. The ball got knocked down the line, Gael Clichy set off on the run and he turned and tracked Clichy, step for step, for 70 yards. At that point the lads said: “You’ll do for us, any day.” He showed exactly the team-oriented spirit we want at Everton, not to mention fantastic speed to stay with Clichy. He came off with cramp after 70 minutes because he’d worked so hard, and afterwards every player patted him on the back.

Landon epitomises the total-effort, team-focused American attitude that will confront England on Saturday. And there are also special elements in his game. Traditionally, USA sides are built on their players’ honesty and endeavour but the current one has two footballers, Landon and Clint Dempsey, who possess something of a different dimension.

...David Moyes would be a great choice for US National coach--though Tony Pulis, Martin O'Neill and Roy Hodgson would all do.

Posted by Orrin Judd at June 6, 2010 4:13 PM