ORLANDO, Fla. – Like just about everyone else, Jason Kreis was “shocked” to hear Landon Donovan was trading the announcer’s booth for the playing field.
Orlando City SC traveled directly to Los Angeles following their midweek win in Montreal, landing in Southern California in the midst of the celebratory atmosphere that marked the un-retirement of Major League Soccer and the United States national team’s most decorated player following a near two-year hiatus.
It certainly came out of the blue for Kreis, who reacted – like many – with a touch of astonishment to the news that his team could be facing Donovan in some shape or form at Stubhub Center on Sunday (7 pm ET; FS1 in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada).
“I am extremely surprised,” Kries admitted. “I didn’t see it coming at all. I’m shocked, in fact. But I am happy for him, for the Galaxy and for the league. I think it is a great thing for all of us and I sincerely hope he does well and can come back and contribute once again – but not against us.”
While the news of Donovan’s return definitely caught Orlando by surprise, Kreis also insisted there would be no special plan to counter the player who still holds the league record for goals (144) and assists (136). LA boss Bruce Arena said Donovan could be part of the gameday roster, though it’s unlikely the new Galaxy No. 26 will start.
“It doesn’t change [our game plan],” Kreis said. “I don’t believe he can start the game, and you don’t really game plan for substitutes. He has only trained for two or three days at the most, so I don’t see it as a possibility. It just doesn’t seem likely.”
“We don’t usually prepare one-on-one,” he added. “Our preparation is not too much about individuals, unless we are concentrating on the Drogbas or Giovincos, and I don’t think we would be overly concerned in this instance, even if he was starting.
“Landon Donovan could obviously be a factor in this game but, in our mind, I would be more concerned about the potential impact of Robbie Keane in this situation.”
The hoopla and buzz around Donovan’s return is certainly a curiosity for the visiting team, but the overwhelming focus is to make it three wins in a row in the increasingly tight Eastern Conference playoff picture. Orlando (7-7-13, 34 pts) sit one point above the red line with two games in hand on New England and two points on D.C. United, also in action on Sunday.
Kreis was playing his cards close to his chest over his attacking lineup for Sunday’s game, with Cyle Larin and Kevin Molino both available after missing the midweek win at Montreal because of international duty, but now looking to dislodge an in-form Carlos Rivas, who had a sparkling game against the Impact.
Rivas had a hand in all four goals at Montreal in only his fifth start of the season, scoring his second goal of the year and adding two assists as well as drawing a penalty. Still, it will be hard for Kreis to leave out Larin, whose 13 goals lead the team, or midfield dynamo Molino, who has nine goals and seven assists to his credit.
“Both Cyle and Kevin are ready again,” Kreis confirmed. “They have had some travel and played a couple of games in a short span, but they have also had an extra day’s rest compared to us [playing] on Wednesday so they are both in contention to play. But we need to consider the job in hand, what Rivas did against Montreal, how he affected things and what’s the best solution now.”
