3 ways the LA Galaxy could utilize a returning Donovan
The LA Galaxy has never been bereft of star power, but the five-time MLS Cup-winning side seems to be outdoing itself with the return of Landon Donovan, who rejoined Bruce Arena's team Thursday for the remainder of the 2016 season.
Related: Donovan returns from retirement to rejoin LA Galaxy for 2016 season
It's a sensational story, and one that invites speculation, so here are three ways the LA Galaxy could use Donovan, two years after his retirement:
Winger in a 4-5-1
Donovan is a winger through and through, and it's the one position where the Galaxy are coincidentally in need of reinforcements, after U.S. international Gyasi Zardes was ruled out for the rest of the regular season with a long-term foot injury.
In this formation, Donovan is simply a more hardened replacement than the rather raw Emmanuel Boateng, and while not on his preferred right-hand side, the 34-year-old has still had plenty of experience playing on the left, specifically while on loan at Everton.
Arena could look to swap wingers, with Giovani Dos Santos playing on the left and cutting in, but it would reduce the Mexican star's effectiveness, as he is naturally left-footed. In any case, wholesale changes to formation aren't needed to make Donovan fit into the Galaxy's already well-established system.
Super-sub striker
At 34, Donovan is by no means too old to play regularly, but he's not the same 32-year-old who left the game, either. Donovan hasn't played much high-level soccer since retiring, and throwing him back into the fire might not be Arena's best option.
It's why Donovan might be limited to appearing off the bench instead of starting regularly out wide, and in that regard, he can be used in a number of positions. His best position off the bench is as a goal-scoring striker, though, and with Robbie Keane approaching the end of his own career, Donovan could be used as relief for the timeless 36-year-old Irishman.
Donovan's versatility makes him a threat from anywhere on the field, so while the super-sub Donovan could be used up top, he could also be utilized in attacking midfield or on either wing, too. The tactic here concerns time and energy management more so than positional decision-making on Arena's part.
The "De Rosario" Model
It's easy to think of different formations and roles for Donovan on the field, but the reality is the third-placed LA Galaxy are likely heading to the playoffs with or without their former captain playing substantially down this final stretch.
While Donovan seems to be coming back with the intention of making a significant on-field impact, there's a possibility he may not play very much at all, and only get called upon in emergency situations. Certainly, being away from the game for two years doesn't help his cause. While it's possible he remained in good shape during retirement, reaching match fitness is another benchmark entirely.
As it stands, Donovan could go the way of many aged MLS stars and become something of an assistant to the management team, like Dwayne De Rosario proved to be in his return to Toronto FC.
Limited to a handful of bench appearances, De Rosario's main role - whether he wanted it or not - ended up being something of an ambassador and assistant coach that was a leader in the locker room, but not a regular contributor on the field.