During Sunday's US-Ecuador match, Eric Wynalda suggested that Landon Donovan was disingenuous when he said he was so excited about the L.A. Galaxy's season that he was considering skipping out on the summer tournaments. Wynalda said Donovan's reasoning was "an excuse" and seemed to imply that Donovan was ducking the "important" games in the summer tournaments.
I think Wynalda is off the mark here. While some may suggest Donovan has underperformed in big games (Luis Bueno has a good counterargument on Sideline Views), he has never been one to avoid the spotlight or refuse a challenge. Because of the "flop in Europe" chip he has on his shoulder, I'd argue Donovan has actually been quick to put himself in the limelight of the big games.
If Donovan skips the summer tourneys, it won't be because he's afraid of the bright lights--it'll be because he knows the real stage is going to be in Los Angeles when the Beckham show comes to town.
As I've said in the past, the Beckham bet may or may not pan out for MLS, but for a few shining weeks, there will be more MLS highlights on Sportscenter than you've ever seen before: Beckham entering the stadium, Beckham taking free kicks, Beckham looking great while he loses a footrace with Jim Curtain, Beckham making a perfect cross that Tyrone Marshall shanks into row H.
For all his love of country, Donovan knows that the world soccer press will be focused on Tinseltown when Goldenballs lands at LAX. You can't have Santino Quaranta and Chris Albright soaking up all the reflected glory.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he's just a publicity hound--far from it. But it would be understandably galling to Donovan to work so hard, to be the heart and soul of that team for so long, then have to be away playing for the Gold Cup while Beckham becomes the face of the franchise, at least for the passing sports fan.
If the Beckham experiment actually succeeds on the pitch and in the general sporting conscious Donovan wants--and probably deserves--to be part of the story.
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