Donovan is quite the counter-jinx to getting American players back into their best form.
U.S. men’s national team legend, Landon Donovan, made headlines in the last week after making bold comments on what he thinks Giovanni Reyna’s future move should be, suggesting the 22-year-old look for a transfer to MLS amidst continuous injuries and lack of playing time for Borussia Dortmund.
“In a case like Gio, great you signed with Borussia Dortmund, great you went on loan to [Nottingham] Forest. You don’t play soccer. I used to hate this. You’re a soccer player, you’re not a soccer practicer” Donovan said. “You’re not a soccer contracted person. You’re a soccer player. Do you want to play soccer or not? I know injuries with Gio, but I just get so sick of this bullshit” said Donovan for Unfiltered Soccer podcast.
Get consistent playing time in MLS and then look for a club in Europe.
Donovan comments on Gio Reyna MLS move quickly backfire with American's goal in Bundesliga
These comments, however, had a quick ‘response’ from Reyna. The American, after a lengthy injury and sporadic role for the Bundesliga club, made a start for Borussia Dortmund in their crucial UEFA Champions League clash against FC Barcelona — playing 70 minutes and having an impressive performance despite his lack of minutes throughout the 2024/25 season.
That’s not it, though, as Reyna would go on to start in back-to-back games for Dortmund and scoring an amazing goal to give his club the lead in their Bundesliga match against Hoffenheim. A banger for his first Dortmund goal in over 14 months.
This same 'Donovan-effect' was present in the USMNT legend’s comments on Pulisic prior to his career-changing move to AC Milan last summer, with Donovan suggesting Pulisic have looked for a transfer to MLS to get playing time ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Pulisic to the LA Galaxy was LD's dream move.
Pulisic, like Reyna — but a much larger degree — proved Donovan’s hot-take wrong, turning his European career completely around in the Serie A with AC Milan following his controversial suggestion. Since making the transfer and since Donovan said he should move to MLS, Pulisic has scored 23 goals and provided 17 assists across 70 appearances — his highest goal contribution rate for a club in Europe.
Donovan jinx: Social media reacts to USMNT legend's comments on Pulisic and Reyna quickly backfiring
USMNT fans on social media are now calling this ‘coincidence’ the “Donovan jinx,” with users now jokingly asking Donovan for more U.S. men’s national team players to make the move to Major League Soccer.
The “Landon Donovan jinx” is real, alive and helping American soccer.
Thank you patriot pic.twitter.com/nRfguDQZAr— Tactical Manager (@ManagerTactical) December 15, 2024
USMNT players when Landon Donovan says they should come to MLS.
— USMNT X (@USMNTX) December 15, 2024
LANDON DONOVAN HOLD THAT pic.twitter.com/lrAt740XQJ
— Alberto (@Detective_Berto) December 15, 2024
Gio starting back to back? Ty, Landon Donovan https://t.co/m3xhFhTgmg
— Kranks (@dis_possessed) December 15, 2024
Landon Donovan’s ability to reverse jinx Americans in Europe must be studied.
We should thank him, first Pulisic, now Gio, who’s next?— Tactical Manager (@ManagerTactical) December 15, 2024
He just can’t catch a break, can he?
