Landon Donovan: The Regina George of MLS

MEMPHIS – Backstabbing hurts. And this week, even soccer superstar David Beckham was not immune to the “Mean Girls” treatment.

Beckham’s current Los Angeles Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan called him “unprofessional” in an interview for an unofficial book about Beckham.

Criticizing a teammate isn’t anything new. Shaquille O’Neal seems to do it every time he switches teams. Kobe Bryant also ripped current Lakers center Andrew Bynum a new one in a now-infamous YouTube video. U.S. soccer goalie Hope Solo also bashed a teammate when she was subbed out of a game.

But to what degree does insulting a teammate help or hurt? Does it motivate them? Does it only reveal the accuser’s faults? Most importantly, does it ruin any chance of them working together?

With middle school recreational basketball, high school mock trial and now the Indiana Daily Student, I’ve had to work with people I respect and people I don’t. During every extracurricular activity in which I’ve been involved, I’ve had to work with close friends. But I’ve also had to work with people I disliked.

I’ve seen what happens when you have to try to forget personal problems and focus on professional pursuits. Those problems are hard to ignore – especially when they’re being fueled on a constant basis.

Having experienced that personally, I would recommend to Galaxy management that they separate Donovan and Beckham.

I understand the two say they can play without those comments affecting the team. I once said that too. And I meant it at the time. But sometimes, the other person can’t let those comments go. Sometimes you give up trying to form a manageable work relationship. And when you stop caring about your co-worker, other people will notice.

When you stop respecting the other person, you have to sever ties. When they stop respecting you, you have to find someone else with whom to work. And when both of you hate each other, it’s up to your superior to cut the cord.

I know this isn’t the best time for the Galaxy to remove Donovan or Beckham. Right now they have two feuding stars trying to lift their fifth-place conference team to championship levels.

But how much can they accomplish like this?

Beckham’s retaliation to Donovan’s comments somehow reminds me of a catfight between two girls going through puberty.

“You’re unprofessional.”

“No, you’re unprofessional.”

“No, you.”

Unless they are both ready to have an open-minded talk about their relationship and are ready to dismiss Donovan’s comments, they won’t be able to move on. They also can’t forget that any comments made will always find their way to the public.

Next time, Donovan, keep it in the slam book.