SAN JOSE, Calif. _ Memories of Landon Donovan's playing days conjure visions of curling goals into every corner of the net, leading the L.A. Galaxy and U.S. men's national team. He was a champion, one of the best ever.
But there was a time when Donovan wasn't scoring his way to the top of U.S. soccer record books.
"My first year I was in San Jose, I played 12 straight games without scoring a goal," Donovan said after coaching the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game Wednesday night. "But Frank Yallop said, 'The team is winning, you're doing well in other areas, we're going to let you play.' Had he not given me that chance, who knows what happens.
"Our league has sort of shifted to GMs and coaches taking chances on bringing in foreign guys versus giving young guys opportunities. That's why when I see Dallas give these guys chances, (L.A.) Galaxy to a little bit lesser of an extent, New York Red Bulls giving these guys chances _ that's the only way we get better as a soccer country, right? So, I'm all for bringing in people, foreigners or older veterans who are going to help, but at some point, you want to see these kids get an opportunity."
Donovan used Orlando City defender Tyler Turner as an example. Turner, 20, played in the Homegrown Game for the second consecutive year, and was one of two players to compete for a full 90 minutes during the 2-0 loss against Mexico's under-20 national team.
Turner played in seven matches for 477 minutes with Orlando City's first team last season, but he was loaned to USL side Orlando City B this season. The move has helped him net more playing time, mature and learn how to focus better on his game, but he now is ready for the next step, he said, and Donovan agrees.
"Tyler's challenge now is getting real, minutes with the first team, whether that's in Orlando or somewhere else," said Donovan, adding the development of USL affiliated teams and youth academies has been a huge step toward advancing young talent. "He's a kid who you watch play and you see that he has something, that he has potential and he needs to get real minutes in first-team games to get to that next level."
Turner said he really wants that next step to be in Orlando because he loves the city and the club, but if he needs to make a move to get time with an MLS team, so be it.
"It's all up in the air. You know, football is a funny game. You come and go and just try to give it your all," Turner said. "It's a short career, but yeah, if it was in Orlando it would be a dream come true to get regular minutes all the time."
Donovan said the change needs to happen at the management and coaching level within clubs. Those in charge need to be willing to take a risk on younger players and give them at least five or 10 games to see if they will pan out before relegating them to the bench or loaning them down to lower-level teams.
"Now if they get five games and they don't do well, then that's the way it goes, but they have to get a chance," Donovan said. "If I'm an MLS coach, I understand I've got to win on Saturday to keep my job. So if it's the choice between playing an 18-year-old who I think has more potential than the guy who's playing, but right now the guy who's playing is a little better, you're probably going to take the safe bet.
"I see both sides of it. The good situation is where coaches are secure in their jobs; they can take a chance on a player."
That was not the case in Orlando the past year, where the mentality was playoffs or bust and former coach Adrian Heath was fired July 6 for not living up to expectations. New coach Jason Kreis may have more leeway to develop the younger Lions. Orlando City president Phil Rawlins said Kreis' time with the club is a "long-term agreement."
Orlando City has some of those "foreign veterans" Donovan mentioned. There's team captain Kaka, 34, a superstar whose career is winding down; his fellow Brazilian Julio Baptista, also 34; and Italian Antonio Nocerino, 31.
When asked about Donovan's opinion that young players need to be given more opportunities to advance soccer in the country, Kaka agreed.
"Yes," Kaka said. "I think the most important thing for this league to keep growing is the youth academy. It's easy when you have money; you just buy the players. But to be sustainable, I think the youth needs to be strong."
