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.)