Landon Donovan Doesn't Think David Beckham Is a Good Teammate

Posted Jul 02, 2009 7:45PM By Ryan Wilson (RSS feed)

Filed Under: MLS

This is a few days old, but if you're waiting on Sports Illustrated to be delivered to your doorstep, it's four days early. Either way, SI has excerpted Grant Wahl's latest book, The Beckham Experiment, and in addition to learning the standard fare -- the Hollywood elite welcomed Becks and Posh into its loving bosom -- we're also afforded a behind-the-curtain glimpse at how Beckham's arrival threw the entire L.A. Galaxy organization into upheaval.

David Beckham, currently on loan to A.C. Milan, is due to rejoin the Galaxy later this month, but as Wahl writes, that could be the most compelling storyline coming out of Los Angeles given all that happened during his first go-round with the team.

Beckham's side made sure he became team captain, and later they engaged in a behind-the-scenes takeover of Galaxy management. Yet L.A. failed to reach the MLS playoffs both years. By the end of the '08 season Beckham was barely speaking to his teammate Landon Donovan, MLS's leading scorer, who questioned the Englishman's commitment to the team.

Ah, yes, Landon Donovan. The Galaxy captain prior to Beckham's arrival, and one of the most important players on the U.S. Men's National Team, Donovan quickly grew weary of Beckham's act. Particularly when it appeared that, not only was Beckham uninterested in being team captain in anything other than name only, but he was actively pushing to be loaned to A.C. Milan.

The Beckhams

Wife of AC Milan's midfielder David Beckham, Victoria (L) watch her husband's team against Juventus during their Italian Serie A football match on May 10, 2009 at San Siro Stadium in Milan. AFP PHOTO / EMILIO ANDREOLI (Photo credit should read Emilio Andreoli/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

MILAN, ITALY - MARCH 08: David Beckham and Victoria Beckham leaving "Da Giacomo" restaurant on March 8, 2009 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Luca Ghidoni/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Victoria Beckham;David Beckham

Getty Images

MILAN, ITALY - MARCH 08: Victoria Beckham watches husband David Beckham during the Serie A match between Milan and Atalanta at the Stadio Meazza on March 08, 2009 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by New Press/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Victoria Beckham

Getty Images

'When David first came, I believed he was committed to what he was doing. But somewhere along the way he just flipped a switch and said "Uh-uh, I'm not doing it any more". My sense is that David thinks it's a joke.

'All that we care about at a minimum is that he committed himself to us. If someone's paying you more than anybody in the league, more than double anybody in the league, the least we expect is that you show up to every game, whether you're suspended or not.

'Show up and train hard. Show up and play hard. Maybe he's not a leader, maybe he's not a captain. Fair enough. But at a minimum you should bust your ass every day.

'That hasn't happened. And I don't think that's too much for us to expect. Especially when he's brought all this on us.

'I can't even say he's a good teammate any more. He's not shown that. I can't think of another guy where I'd say he wasn't a good team-mate, he didn't give everything through all this, he didn't still care.

'If that's the way he's going to be, fine, then hold him accountable. Bench him. Just say, "We're not going to play you, we don't think you're committed".'

Beckham is supposed to join the Galaxy on July 16, two weeks from today. That shouldn't be awkward.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

7-02-2009 @ 11:14PM

ese guichito said...

send donovan to the bench.

7-03-2009 @ 6:23AM

cruzer1067 said...

Nope beckham needs to go. He wants to be in europe not LA

7-03-2009 @ 1:50PM

tcieri said...

why send one of the best players to the bench for a starlet? becks is not a player anymore, he's a model/actor/pop sensation.

7-03-2009 @ 9:10PM

rbearfield said...

yeah, him and his wife are jokes.

7-03-2009 @ 6:17AM

gcrizza said...

I don't particularly care for Donovan, but I have to say he's right.

7-03-2009 @ 7:32AM

territraut said...

Who cares? Does anybody anywhere in this country watch this sport? We all played it when we were 5, but to actually follow it? I don't think so.

7-03-2009 @ 9:17AM

rtwade416 said...

Let me guess....NFL, MLB and apple pie. Get a clue, it's the worlds sport.

7-03-2009 @ 1:06PM

hudmel said...

A LOT of people follow the sport in this country!

7-03-2009 @ 7:33AM

gjuiced said...

Donavan grew some balls this last few weeks...

He played great and was the leader on the pitch...

Beckham is a fraud...time to move on...

Can't wait for the World Cup...I hope Donavan schools him...Beckham has no individual skills...one vs. one and he is lost....

7-03-2009 @ 8:18AM

matadmonge said...

Donavan is the biggest crybaby and over rated player is the world. Couldn't make it at Leverkusen. Only way he can get any press is to criticize Beck's.
No wonder even his team mates think he's an arrogant sissy.

7-03-2009 @ 10:17AM

imaforeman said...

If you are getting that kind of money and don't show up? Yeah that is a problem. Beck's only cares about the money. Beck's overratted too. The english are not that great in world cup play when beck's are they?

7-03-2009 @ 8:20AM

Abraxus said...

You know, Donovan's words might have some credibility if only he knew how to win games in the World Cup etc, and if he was that great of a player himself one of the big European teams would want him, but they don't. So, coming from him, I am sure Beckham could care less, much like the rest of us. Donovan needs to put his money where his mouth is and actually start playing like the Ronaldo, Pele, etc, that HE thinks he is, because no one else thinks he is that great, he's just another wannabe whiney a$$, should have taken up a different sport if he wants to be a superstar here, or play better so he can go play for the likes of Chelsea or Real Madrid etc. Beckham is what he is, he can be a great player, and sometimes he isn't, and frequently he gets injured, but when he turns it on, people really watch!

fcsolares said...

You fool! Donovan is giving his opinion on Beckham's work ethic and who he is as a teamate, not on his soccer skills. Give you an "A" for the effort you put into reading the article, but an "F" for understanding it!

7-03-2009 @ 8:24AM

Pele-was-the-best-ever said...

I agree with Abraxus - what the hell kind of name is that anyway? Anyhow, AOL is again using stupid headlines to get attention, I was expecting an ACTUAL soccer superstar's name to come up, the likes of Ronaldo etc, and then they say they are talking about Landon Donovan? Puh-leeze, superstar of soccer he ain't, maybe in the tiny pond of soccer we have here in the USA, but even then, you ask most people who he is and a lot of them might have heard the name, but they can't remember what he does. I asked my wife just now, and she thought he was an actor, when I told her who Landon Donovan really was she said "really?" - she already knows who Beckham is (she likes his darned underwear ad's!).

7-03-2009 @ 9:04AM

pmkcc said...

Beckham should never have been hyped for US soccer, as he is not a goal scorer. Let's be honest, America would only appreciate a goal scorer. Beckham's technique and vision are too subtle for the casual American fan. Beckham's talent is wasted in the MLS, he should play in Europe where teams-mates know how to play the game on and off the field.
Lastly, Donovan is no superstar, and on the world stage scale he is average.

7-03-2009 @ 10:34AM

rand0mhero1 said...

i mean scoring a goal against brazil in a final is pretty close to superstar if you ask me...no shit the US teams are no where close to the european leagues. but we have to start some where. the US beat spain who is number 1 in the world, and came close to beating brazil who is always top 5 in the world. stop bashing donavon, hes grown up a bit. and i would bash beckham to if he was being an ass on my team and supposed to be a team captain

7-03-2009 @ 9:05AM

M3 said...

What has Donovan accomplished in his life? How many championships has he won? He just scored an awesome goal last week against Brazil, but that's about it. Beckham has played in all the best teams in the world (Real Madrid, A.C. Milan, Manchester United) and has scored betters goals than Donovan. He doesn't need to play in a crappy team such as L.A. Galaxy.

7-03-2009 @ 9:15AM

RobMd732 said...

While Donovan has underperformed too often on the world stage, he is dead on in his assessment of Beckham. David committed the mortal sin of thinking of himslef first over the interests of his teammates. He was signed and supposedly committed to LA and then Becks runs off to AC Milan to further his own best interest over that of his team. I suspect he will get a chilly reception from his LA teammates, and hopefully from MLS fans in general, upon his arrival.

7-03-2009 @ 9:36AM

Pauline said...

Beckham and his wife are both publicity hounds. I feel they have been given great star status that is not deserved. My image of both of them is that they worry more about how good they look and how much adoration they receive than they do in being responsible human beings. Sure, he's done well with his sports career but if he's not a good team player then he needs his reins pulled in tightly. To me, he's somewhat above average but certainly no great star as he's been hyped to be. People like him who make the big bucks need to look at themselves as a worthwhile person would and ask themselves if they think they are dealing fairly and squarely.