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The conversation began forty seconds into the game and never stopped. On a day when a pinstriped jersey was debuted across the street from the Yankees’ Legends Field, it made perfect sense that the oft-criticized super star, our best player, took center stage.

“The problem you always have with Landon,” Bruce Arena said, addressing his former player between his back to back goals, “and he is the best midfielder and he is the best forward. So where do you position him? That’s always the dilemma.”

Ecuador is fast. Landon is faster. And that has me agreeing with Arena that Donovan should fill the second forward position, allowing him to run, dribble, and above all attack the goal while our tall statues box-out, get kicked in the face, a look for Landon streaking through. After today, there should also be some more confidence in landon-less midfield. The young crop of central midfielders is stronger than any other position.

The day, though, was Donovan’s. If a few penalty calls went their way, Landon could have put up a 5 spot. The three goals he did notch came as two impressive rocket shots and a long run that was, quoting Arena, “vintage Donovan.” Indeed, those open runs from the center line are looking more and more like the signature highlight for the guy who is still this country’s best player, but upper-ninety from outside the box might be more praise worthy.

All that being said (and watched), it becomes all the more interesting to reflect on a few comments that were made early on the game. Apparently, Donovan gave some good quotes about how he will prioritize the Galaxy season over both the Gold Cup and Copa America. Eric Wynalda, before the conversation was subjugated by Howard’s great save in the seventh minute, called it an excuse, if “you really want to know what he’s thinking.” His tone of voice left even the deaf with the idea he doesn’t think Donovan is a confident leader. Of course, then the game unfolded, and well, lets just say this conversation isn’t evaporating anytime soon.

Before the Mexico game, I asked the old question, Club or Country, and answers split pretty equally. That question applies to the players just as much, if not more, than the fans, yet you rarely hear players picking sides, except for the occasional call to notice that the Club is signing the much larger checks. Landon’s quotes didn’t come from a book of clichés, however, as this will indeed be a big season for him in LA. Can he bounce back from last year? Can he regain his former trophies and titles? How will Beckham’s addition pan out? But finally, should any of that invade on his national commitment? His play today hopefully points to the fact that those were just words that won’t manifest on the field.

I menioned on Friday how I thought it was odd that MLS was getting more headlines than the US MNT in the days leading up to today’s game. And now, thanks to one man announcing how BIG this MLS season is going to be just before showing the stratospheric possibilities held within his abilities on the international pitch, the headlines might have been for good reason.

Overall, the US team outplayed Ecuador in every facet, and Ecuador is no slouch team. Though if there was a word fit to describe them today, ‘slouch’ might be a good one. Their speedy forwards were about the only thing running with a full tank.

Honorable mention goes to Jimmy Conrad, who further solidified his place as the anchor on our otherwise young and sporatic backline, and the tandem of Feilhaber and Bradley, who as the two youngest players on the field, did a tremendous job moving the ball through the midfield from the defensive 18 on up. Besides a public apology from Gulati to Bradley when he removes the interim tag, the next step for the national team is speeding up play and locking down the defense. Whether or not Landon is on the field acting the hero as he did today, this summer should go a long way to taking those steps. But that doesn’t change the fact that we’ll need Landon at the top of his game this summer to continue the greater climb.