Tip Sheet: Landon Donovan satisfies USA, Galaxy as others miss out

By Kyle McCarthy
Published

BRISTOL, Conn.

Landon Donovan spent most of the buildup to his final U.S. national team appearance in Carson, Calif.

The curtain call in the red, white and blue is a nice touch, but Donovan wanted to make sure he did not leave LA Galaxy adrift during the final stages of the regular season.

Donovan trained with the Galaxy through Thursday and then hopped a flight to the East Coast in order to participate in the match against Ecuador in East Hartford, Conn. on Friday night. He also agreed to play the first 30 minutes (or so) in order to stay fresh for the critical match at FC Dallas on Sunday.

"I am happy with that," Donovan said during a press conference on Friday afternoon. "We've got a big game Sunday with the Galaxy in Dallas. Part of this process has also let me balance my commitments with the Galaxy at an important time for us."

The arrangement -- plus the extra day between the international friendly on Friday and the MLS affair on Sunday -- allows Donovan to have the best of both worlds. He can say farewell on the international stage and then return to the Galaxy to make sure his club side continues its push for the Supporters' Shield.

It isn't easy to keep all parties satisfied when MLS continues to play through FIFA dates (and many players will miss their matches this weekend), but Donovan said this pact worked out well enough for everyone involved.

"I'm glad it worked out this way where the game is a couple of days before," Donovan said. "I could come in, at least play a little bit and then be ready for the game Sunday. It works out well. I think everyone was happy with it."

Five Points – Week 32

1. Clubs compensate for missing pieces during international break: Donovan boasted the luxury of training with the Galaxy this week, but many of his fellow internationals simply linked up with their countries for duty instead. It is a credit to MLS to see more than 45 players selected, but the group of players -- including MLS MVP frontrunner Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy) -- leaves a significant void to fill.

One further complication ahead: Other American players will link up with the U.S. ahead of its friendly against Honduras on Tuesday. U.S. coach Jürgen Klinsmann confirmed Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson will join camp after Friday's match against Sporting Kansas City. Michael Bradley is also among the list of players likely to head to south Florida, Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney told Sportsnet on Friday.

2. Cascadia Cup, playoff hopes on the line in Seattle: Seattle can claim Pacific Northwest bragging rights with a draw against Vancouver on Friday night, but Sounders FC will likely need all three points to deal the Whitecaps' postseason hopes a severe blow. The primary concern for Seattle heading into this game: figuring out a way to break up Vancouver's work on the counter. If Osvaldo Alonso can limit Pedro Morales' influence on the game, then Sounders FC will likely find a way through the Whitecaps' rearguard with its direct service to Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins and secure the points.

3. Toronto FC enters last chance saloon at Red Bull Arena: The midweek defeat to Houston felt like a death blow to the Reds' postseason chances, but TFC sits just three points behind fifth-placed Columbus entering the weekend. A victory over the Red Bulls could place the postseason chase back on track. The onus once again falls on the expensive signings to make it happen: Jermain Defoe must atone for his wasteful display against the Dynamo, while Michael Bradley must locate the necessary space against New York's central midfield trio to maintain the supply lines. TFC will also hope for some help (or a stalemate) from the meeting between the Crew and fellow playoff chasers Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon.

4. Real Salt Lake prepares for life without Chris Schuler: The influential center back will miss the remainder of the regular season after sustaining three facial fractures and a broken nose after colliding with Nat Borchers during the 1-0 defeat to Chivas USA on Sunday, RSL coach Jeff Cassar told the Salt Lake Tribune on Friday. Carlos Salcedo returned early from Mexico under-21 duty to fill the void, but Schuler's absence creates a gaping void alongside Borchers. It is up to RSL to use the next three games – including Saturday's home date with San Jose – to fill it in case Schuler isn't ready for the start of the postseason.

5. Is Houston on the way to another late-season resurgence?: The always-lurking Dynamo sits four points outside the playoff places after Giles Barnes secured a 1-0 victory at Toronto FC in midweek. The path to the postseason almost certainly requires a home victory over D.C. United on Sunday to keep pace. It is not a task beyond the Dynamo, but the absences of Boniek Garcia and Luis Garrido (international duty with Honduras) complicate matters. The onus will fall on Brad Davis to once again produce something special out of midfield to give Houston the points required and keep hope alive through New England's visit on Thursday.