Landon's Swagger

It was a pretty simple gesture, but it carried with it a pretty powerful meaning.  Late in stoppage time against Chelsea yesterday, Donovan went down the wing, protecting the ball to kill some clock.  After getting fouled by Florent Malouda, Landon got up and waved his arms (like a "safe" call in baseball), emphatically saying to everyone who was watching that the match was all over.

Now, the act itself wasn't overly remarkable, but the fact that it came from Landon gives it a little more importance for me.  It was an outward display of swagger from a guy who is currently riding a strong run of form that really goes all the way back to the Confederations Cup.  That cherry on top of a huge win and standout performance makes me believe that Landon has the confidence that he can guide a team to a victory over anyone, whether its Chelsea or New York or even...England.

It's not as if Landon wasn't a confident player before, but his time in Germany was marked by a much more timid approach than we are used to seeing, and some have criticized the LA Galaxy captain for disappearing in big games.  But it looks as if we've now got a new Landon Donovan, a Landon Donovan who not only can withstand the demands and pressures of a huge stage, but one that looks to take the reins in that situation.  In his brief time in England, he's already squared off against the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea, and it wouldn't be ridiculous to say that he was one of Everton's best players in all of those games. 

He's introduced a fierce confidence in his game that has extended to all phases of play.  He's going in hard on 50-50 challenges (just ask Ashley Cole's broken ankle), he's letting defenders close him down some before a clever little cut or quick pass, and he's demanding the ball with aggressive runs all over the field.  It's the attitude of a player who believes that he's the best on the field.  It's not cockiness; it's just the kind of security in one's ability that allows them to play care-free.  It's why Landon didn't think twice at trying to blow past Yuri Zhirkov on a counterattack, and it's why he's been causing outside backs fits throughout his loan spell.

At times, it's easy to forget that Landon Donovan is only 27 years old.  He's been in the national team picture for so long that some of us got a little impatient, feeling that for whatever reason his progression wasn't quick enough.  But it's right around this age where a player hits his peak, and it looks like Landon's doing just that.  Not only physically, but mentally.  As he's continued to get comfortable with Everton, his play is becoming increasing intricate and complex.  What were once simple touches and passes have become a little trickier and a little riskier.  But it exemplifies a sort of mental "peak" that creates a style of play in stark contrast to what he showed at Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.  Instead of fearing that a few poor touches or turnovers will lead to a seat on the bench, it seems like Landon is seeing the complete opposite; that one perfect pass or quick dribble could create a goal, and that alone merits trying.

That kind of attitude is contagious on the field, and that type of swagger coupled with the inspirational upswing that a Charlie Davies return would bring would be a combination that I would not want to go up against.  In the past, Landon may have been content to play his role and blend into the match in hopes that the team would win.  Now?  I think he's not just ready to take the team on his back, but it seems like he wants that responsibility.

Color me optimistic, but his confidence gives me confidence.  Confidence that with this Landon Donovan leading us, a win against England next June isn't that much of a stretch.