Breaking News: LD Says He's Old and Slow

Link to ESPN article here.

Some highlights:

"I'm a lot closer to where I'd like to be," Donovan said in a video released by US Soccer on Thursday. "Part of getting older is that you just don't have as much explosiveness, you're not as dynamic as you were, and that's all part of it and that's part of evolving in general.

"I'm excited about this opportunity to take it up a level and see how I do and see how I can perform at this level against competition that's going to be difficult, but I'm ready for it and I'm exicited for it and I think it's going to be a great month," Donovan said.

The headline of this article is a little misleading. But reading between the lines, it seems like LD is trying to temper the expectations of U.S. soccer fans across the country by telling them to not expect the same player that we've come to know. It's definitely going to be interesting watching him at the Gold Cup. But one has to wonder, if he's a step slow and doesn't have the kind of pace that he's always had, is a really a lock to start out wide over someone who does have that pace (Eddie Johnson or Fab)? Or someone like Zusi who is the best dead ball specialist/crosser of the ball that the U.S. has on the roster? 

Jurgen gave some credence to this idea where he is quoted in the article: "I come from a different background and in soccer it's normal to have to work your way back into the mix," said Klismann. "When someone takes time off or has an injury, we evaluate that case from zero. We respect the past accomplishments, but that doesn't help you tomorrow. It doesn't help you today."

LD's experience will be considered valuable among a young squad and there's virtually no doubt that he'll be in the squad going to Rio next summer. But he still has a lot to show and prove if he hopes to force his way into the starting XI. His first test will be next Tuesday night (July 9th) against Belize in Portland