Landon Donovan and Dwayne De Rosario’s careers crossed paths early on -- it was the two MLS legends that provided all the scoring San Jose would need to
That day seemed to glue the two men together forever. They have always seemed to have similar career paths and have always managed to excite and confuse their fans in equal amounts.
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Both men have been the most exciting offensive players of their respective countries. Donovan, of course, has had a greater degree of exposure than DeRo by virtue of the United States greater level of success than Canada, but, in context, they have had done similar things for their national teams.
On the club side, they both went to Germany and came back almost as fast – both said that they were never comfortable there and fans have always wondered if they could have done more in Europe.
Donovan did get a couple loan spells at Everton, but has always seemed to need to play in a small pond to be successful. DeRo tried to go back with Celtic, but was on the wrong side of 30 when he got the inkling.
Regardless, it’s MLS that has provided both men with their success, and both are on a short list of best all-time to play in that league. Donovan is 10 goals away from the all-time scoring lead. DeRo is 34 away, but he became just the seventh player to hit the century mark in goals this year.
And despite being four years younger than DeRo, Donovan is once again following his former teammate by calling into question how much longer he will play. Both men seem to be at a crossroads now.
DeRo has always taken great care of his body – he famously has maintained a Vegan diet throughout his career and is known as a fitness guru in MLS circles – but, at 34 and coming off of a knee injury, questions need to be asked. He’s always relied on that explosive move from the left wing to create space for himself. Can he still be effective? DC United certainly hopes so, but it’s unlikely that there are too many teams in the league that would be willing to take the risk on him until we know for sure.
Donovan’s case is more confounding for critics and fans alike. He has a bit of an injury right now, but no one is suggesting that he can’t come back.
Rather, this is a case of Donovan’s head not quite being in it anymore. Some might wonder if it ever fully was – Donovan is as big an enigma as you’ll find in professional sport.
However, he is talented – remarkable so. He’s likely the most talented player to have grown up playing soccer. That’s what is so frustrating about him. Fans wonder how anyone so talented can…pout…so often.
DeRo can be seen the same way. For all of his skill he's always been accused of not being the best team player. Toronto fans remember all too well how DeRo acts when he's not happy.
Regardless of your feelings for either DeRo or Donovan, if you are a fan of MLS you have to hope that both overcome their current crisis of body/faith. They are the two players that have most successfully bridged the so-called MLS 1.0 and 2.0 eras and they are, arguably, the first two MLS-only (or mostly, anyway) created superstars.
It’s still too soon for either to walk, or be forced, away from the game. Let’s hope both are around next March and for a few more years to come.
Actually, let's hope they play long enough that they end their careers No 1 and No 2 on the scoring chart. That would be the fitting way for both to call it quits.