Bizarro Transfer Rumor of the Week: Landon Donovan to Club América

By: Laurie | December 1st, 2009

donovan usa Landon Donovan + Mexican side Club América = Transfer rumor. I am not making this up.

(And now I will give you a two-minute break to go clean up the beverage of your choice, which, if you are a fan of either US or Mexican football, you have just splurted all over your computer screen.)

But it’s true. (Not true as in, “going to happen.” True, as in “truly a genuine rumor.” There’s a big difference.)

In probably the most entertaining reminder thus far that the silly season is just around the corner, the LA Galaxy’s Landon Donovan has been linked (with a straight face, even) to the Mexican side Club América.

This would be kind of like a late-80s Diego Maradona going to play in the English league. Like a 2009 Thierry Henry going to play in Ireland. Like Cristiano Ronaldo getting Wayne Rooney sent off in the World Cup and then playing in…

Wait. Never mind.

So why is this bizarre? I mean, aside from the fact that Landon Donovan is one of the most hated players ever to take the field against the Mexican National Team?

Because it’s not like América is averse to controversy. This is, after all, the side that made a star of Cuauhtemoc Blanco, a guy who would probably be serving time somewhere for felonious assault if he wasn’t so damn good at drawing fouls and scoring goals. Club América is, and always has been, quite comfortable being both loved and hated.

As is Landon Donovan, who is also both adored and reviled, even in his own country. Loved for things like his amazing Confederations Cup performance this summer, hated largely for his inabilty as a young guy to stick it out in a big league. This could be his chance to atone. And he’s been pretty vocal about looking for a transfer — something that needs to happen soon if it’s going to happen at all; the guy is 27. And it’s not like he’s not capable of providing some lift to a side that’s been in need of a goal-scorer; Landon has put away 64 for the LA Galaxy an another 42 for the US men. And that’s as a midfielder. (His assist stats are strong as well.)

It’s just that…Landon? Playing in Mexico?

The Mexicans hate the guy. And I always thought the feeling was mutual.

Contrary to perception, not a lot of Landon’s USMNT goals have been against Mexico. (I think only four of them, maybe?) It’s just that the ones that were against Mexico tended to happen at the most inopportune moments. Like, y’know, the World Cup knockout stages. This, combined with a certain…arrogance, maybe, has not made him a popular guy across the border.

And let’s not forget the international incident he created when he “desecrated” Estadio Jalisco by peeing on the pitch — an incident caught by security cameras and broadcast ’round the world. Landon basically explained it away with, “Well, when you gotta go…”

The Mexicans were not amused.

Must admit, this rumor fascinates me. It would be kind of like watching Houdini as he’s handcuffed under water. Like seeing Siegfried and Roy performing with not-quite-tamed tigers. Like watching Evel Knievel jumping…whatever it was Evel Knievel jumped. It has the potential to go either very, very well or very, very wrong. And yes, I’d probably be one of the millions from both countries tuning in to see which way it went down.

Maybe this isn’t such a crazy idea after all.

(On the other hand, it could just be a way for Landon to get a pay raise in MLS.)

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Category: Transfer Talk, World Football

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israel

ias a 14year old teen thats played and watched soccer for a long time should not like donovan in a beaner team, the mexicans would go crazy and have rough times with him, GO CHIVAS!!!
america

makes perfect sence..
Donovan is a hated guy so it sits well with america fans who are more than used to it.
plus he leaked on the jalisco stadium home to americs biggest rivals chivas.
i think he would be great at america
Americanista

OhYes is just another example of the typical Chivas fan who spit nonsense.

Laurie is right. America is a team that is quite comfortable with being loved and hated.

Lando has been a target of hatred, but from what I observed, it stemmed out of statements he made earlier in his career and out of perceived arrogance. Lately, he has taken a more "professional" tone when it came to Mexico. In turn, Mexican fans in general went from outright hatred for the guy to more of a annoyed and grumpy attitude with some respect for his talent. I'm not saying its a lovefest now, there's still pissy people out there who equates Lando with the devil or something...

Anyway, I wouldn't discredit the rumor yet. Rumor's been out there for a while, but gained traction again after MLS Cup. I would rephrase it, though, as: Club America to seek out Donovan. And don't get it wrong, America has the money to make any MLS player rethink his contract. And club owner Michel Bauer stated that he will seek him out seriously (considering that players like Salvador Cabanas are looking to go to Europe soon).

And if Donovan's goal is to land in Europe again, then this may be his best chance. Plenty of footballers played in the Mexican League before jumping off to Europe. If he jumps to Europe now, he won't be a starter, unless he joins a weaker team with lesser pay (not the goal). A strong season down Mexico way + a strong World Cup could give him a better shot towards European glory. Plus the pay is better, the season starts in early Jan with the pre-Libertadores cup and a chance to play a few games in South America if America wins a place in the Libertadores tournament against Brazillian and Argentine teams (which is another Bauer goal)

And so what if he pissed in Jalisco's grass. That's not sacred ground. Not to me at least. In fact if he did that again as an America player in the Classico against Chivas, he would actually endear himself to the Azulcremas fans even more!
Juan

Maradona was also going to play at America in Colombia, who was owned at the time by the Cali Cartel.
Elliott

I'm just more worried about the implications for Greg Lalas' journalism career - didn't he suggest this in jest a few months back at SI?

Also, the relationship between Mexico and Donovan is complex - he is hated because he is talented and respected. If he sucked, he'd just be laughed at. If Blanco did not score goals and draw fouls, would he attract your ire?

The biggest story is how a star player like Donovan can have a bad enough agent to allow for "league option years" in a contract. Basically, those little paragraphs are a "we own you and will not give you a raise if you play well" clauses.
OhYes

"Get over it people, players from different countries play in… different countries."

One would have to ask you to get a firm grasp on the English language, because that's not what we're discussing here.

edgar: I suppose there are many Mexicans who like Donovan, but from what most people in football have experienced, Mexicans of all kinds hate him. It's not like you can just talk a lot of trash, and piss on holy soil and expect to be well-liked.
Laurie

Wow, I thought the line about him being “adored and reviled” in the US was stupid but this one took the cake? A guy who is the heart of the national team and who is the image of the MLS is HATED because he couldnt stick in europe?

Way to shoot the messenger, son. I'm only statin' the facts as I've observed them over my years of blogging.
bob gainey

>I in general do not like Blanco because basically he is Mexican >and I am a die-hard USMNT.

Its nice to see that the mentally challenged football fans still thrive.

>hated largely for his inabilty as a young guy to stick it out in >a big league.

Wow, I thought the line about him being "adored and reviled" in the US was stupid but this one took the cake? A guy who is the heart of the national team and who is the image of the MLS is HATED because he couldnt stick in europe?
Are you serious or do you not grasp the english language.
I could maaaaybe see if you said people were dismissive of him beause of his euro adventures but hated?
Buy a dictionnary.

Get over it people, players from different countries play in... different countries. Argentinians even play in.... England!!!!

Donovan in Mexico could be a very good idea, he could be close to home and the national team and play at a higher caliber and in Mexico he is well known name. He goes to a euro team and he is just another anonymous international player, nothing more.

Of course would you want to go and play in a urine loving sports culture if you werent into golden showers?
a.j.

I'd get a laugh out of next year's Honda Player of the year nominations:
...Dempsy (Fulham, USA), Donovan (America, USA)...
James

You know Joe, we said the same thing when Cuauhtemoc went to play for Chicago, along with every other Mexican that's played in the MLS.
James

If I remember correctly Mexico did cast a vote for LD as the world Cup MVP (or something to that extent) after the 2002 WC.
Joe Fre

Landon Donovan is better than that. He should play in Europe than being in a mexican team. Come on.
Al

Yep, old rumor, and I even saw a nice photoshop of him in the América jersey. Edgar sums it up correctly: the América fans will love him, despite him being the most hated player in Mexico. Mostly because he's a quality player and can bring only positive things to the team.

Maybe he just wants to get used to playing in the high altitude...
edgar

Well i live in mexico and Landon is hated mostly by the Chivas followers, because they are the nationalist team, meaning they have a Mexican only roster on the team, so they are the most patriotic mexicans, and because they do have a probably 40% of the countries followers, the other half would be Club Americas followers, but we Americanistas, love the idea!!! I myself have dreamed for this to have happened a long time ago. Landon in an interview a couple years ago said, if he ever played in mexico it would be in Club America ONLY! I really want this to come true and see him play with this sacred jersey, and not to mention that landon would be one of the highest paid players in the league, as Club America is one or if not the wealthiest soccer team in the continent!!!
James

"(And now I will give you a two-minute break to go clean up the beverage of your choice, which, if you are a fan of either US or Mexican football, you have just splurted all over your computer screen.)"

Holy $h*t how'd you know?!

Anyways this rumor started on Futbol Picante, some months ago. Or at least that's where the rumor started. Carlos Albert, a reporter, said "Wouldn't it be funny if America went for Landon? I mean they're a love it or hate it club and Landon is a love him or hate him player". After that they all laughed at anyone dumb enough to believe this rumor, and I guess Univision was dumb enough. I can't believe this is taken seriously.. after all the hate Landon has for Mexico.
Juliet

Truly a strange rumor. Great way to convince Galaxy that he is *desperate* to leave. I don't know if he can make it elsewhere, though. He had a sweet deal last year at Bayern Munich (though they eventually fired Klinsmann), and couldn't make it work. And they speak perfect English there.
laurie

Albert, you're right about this not being a new rumor. But it got legs this week when it was reported by Univision. Which just happens to have the same owner as América.

Hmmm....
Albert

This rumor has been around for a while. Some say he will get his arse kicked, some say they want him.

He could do well.

Then again, he could become homesick, miss his sister or something of the sort to go back.

America could use him. It would be entertaining.
OhYes

It makes NO sense at all ever. As a Chivista, I'd laugh heartily, but I know americanistas will suffer heavily. Having the most hated guy from the USNT (Our bitter rivals)on your team, seeing him wear YOUR jersey which you've worshiped your entire life? That's fucked up.

That's as close to having him piss on your blood as you can get without ever meeting him.

Still, I'd love to see this happen, as a Chivista. Even though he's pretty good and will probably score against us.
Rob

A couple of takes on this.

1. I in general do not like Blanco because basically he is Mexican and I am a die-hard USMNT. But, he was great for MLS while he was here, and he is very good with the ball and at scoring. Does the Mexican League need Lando? I'm not sure, but it would sure be interesting.

2. If this is just a tactic to get more money out of MLS, I can't blame Lando. He rips up the league here and succeeds with the best of them on the World Stage as well, so why leave for Europe?

3. Speaking of Europe, what team is going to take a chance on a player who hasn't really stuck anywhere? Over the past couple of weeks, my Spanish side Atletico Madrid have been struggling (with the exception of the recent 4-0 win). Lando could be used on the wing, in my opinion.

5. But, in the end, if he is to go to Europe, he needs to be in a place where he will be playing 90+ every game and getting the ball a lot. Its painfully obvious when the USMNT lose that Lando didn't get the ball enough, usually.

Bizzaro Rumour, for sure.
Marlon

If Fox Football Fone In is any indication, Eric Wynalda will not be pleased with this move.