Landon Donovan has been the best American soccer player over the past decade.  In recent months he has taken a break from soccer and doesn’t plan to be back until April at the earliest.

This begs the question: Is Landon letting down his World Cup teammates as well as American Soccer?  The US World Cup team is already one result down in the hexagonal play for the World Cup 2014 with two more games coming up in March.

I understand the pressures of being in the spotlight and the expectations that come with it.  I did not play at the high levels that Landon has, but I wasn’t very far off it.  So I fully realize where he is coming from.

I was actually disappointed when Donovan did not seek to negotiate a longer term permanent contract in the EPL.  He graced the English Premier League while playing on loan for Everton. Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and Brad Friedel continue to do so as did Kasey Keller before them!

So does Landon have an obligation and a responsibility to the American game?

You can answer that, but I think he does.  He has done OK out of soccer financially together with the benefit of some outstanding experiences and accomplishments and he has deserved it, but he should give back as well.

The problem is by the time he is back playing, the US World Cup team will have played another two games with a further two more coming up in June.  Even if he is selected for those June games will be have lost something – that step, the sparkle and creativity?

Only time will tell.