Landon Donovan Is Becoming A National Hero

Landon Donovan’s shoulders must be getting tired.

In stoppage time against Algeria, Donovan put an entire country on his back and willed his American team to victory by finding the back of the net in a “do or die” elimination game. This came just days after Donovan helped erase a two goal deficit against Slovenia by pounding home an emotional goal that fueled the Americans’ miraculous comeback.

Donovan and company are smiling ear to ear, but they cannot rest on their laurels with a dangerous team like Ghana waiting in the weeds.

After all, four years ago it was Ghana who eliminated the United States from the World Cup in the opening round, branding the Americans as underachievers to the entire world. This time around, Donovan and company have not only revenge, but also respect on their mind.

For the US, it has been a tale of two halves for the entire tournament. In the first half, the Red, White and Blue seem hesitant and meek. It often takes a goal (or two!) for them to open up the offense and press. What is it about being punched in the mouth that gets these Americans to wake up?

The American team is certainly more experienced than their African counterparts, but overall the team is still young and must rely on Donovan, Goalkeeper Tim Howard and other experienced players to get their head’s in the game quickly. That veteran leadership must shine through from the opening whistle for the American’s to make a serious run in a tournament of this caliber.

While the American’s may have dodged a bullet in avoiding Germany in this round, Ghana will not be a walk in the park. Ghana is fast and Ghana is aggressive. They will strike early and often, and they will have the entire African continent behind them.

If the US gives up an early goal like they have been known to do, the combination of Ghana’s speed and the home field advantage may prevent the Yanks from mounting the comeback that we have all grown accustomed to.

For the US, they MUST do a better job of marking the opposing striker. Asamoag Gyan has scored both of Ghana’s goals thus far, and if he is left unmarked, it could spell disaster for Tim Howard and his defense.

But ultimately, this game will rest on the shoulders of Landon Donovan. Donovan is the field general, and the emotional leader of an emotional team. As he goes, the US goes.

The maturation and evolution that we have all had the pleasure of witnessing with Donovan has been stunning. Always a talented player, Donovan has become so much more to his team, to his coach, and to his country.

He has become the hope of a nation.