The United States' all-time leading goal scorer will not be going to Brazil. Landon Donovan was left off Jurgen Klinsmann’s 23-man roster for the World Cup, coming as a shock to most.
Donovan took a hiatus from the USMNT during World Cup qualifying and hasn’t been in the best form ever since. Klinsmann said that he would have to earn his spot back, which most thought he did in helping the U.S. win the Gold Cup last year.
He knew he wasn’t guaranteed a spot, however, and on Monday he said, “In 2006 and 2010 I knew for the most part, unless I was awful, that I was going to make the team. This time it’s more similar to ’02, when I wasn’t sure. In that way, it’s as competitive for me as it’s been in a long time.”
Some feel Klinsmann made a mistake taking 18-year-old Julian Green over Donovan (Photo: @MLS | Twitter)
It’s safe to say that Donovan put U.S. soccer on the map. He has been the heart and soul of the team for some time now and, regardless of his current form, it will be tough to replace his leadership.
Michael Parkhurst, Brad Evans and Clarence Goodson; midfielders Joe Corona and Maurice Edu; and forward Terrence Boyd also missed the cut.
Julien Green, the 18 year-old Bayern Munich product made the team along with Brad Davis.
Twitter erupted after the news about Donovan broke:
Well, that's shocking.
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) May 22, 2014
Can NOT believe no LD!!! That is crazy. Greatest player, by far IMO, in the history of our country. WOW
— Chris Wingert (@wingert17) May 22, 2014
Donovan not making the US roster doesn't feel right #SMH
— Ryan Meara (@RMeara_18) May 22, 2014
Again, life isn't fair and soccer isn't fair. A WC roster isn't about form, merit or history. It's simply a coach's preference.
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) May 22, 2014
Well well. According to @TaylorTwellman no Landon Donovan on final roster of 23. I can't say surprising but yet I'm still shocked. #USMNT
— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) May 22, 2014
Jurgen Klinsmann had this to say in a statement: "It's an exciting moment when you have narrowed the roster down as a coaching staff, and these 23 players that you've chosen can focus now purely on Brazil. We can go into more specific things about technical approaches, and about the opponents. For the players, it's very important to know that they are now part of it and they can relax and know they are on the list going to Brazil and taking it from there. After almost 10 days of work right now, we thought the point has come to make the decision."
Klinsmann is clearly using this World Cup as an opportunity for younger players to gain experience. We'll be able to see the reasons behind the decision in ESPN's "Inside: U.S. Soccer's March to Brazil" series, but our guess is that Donovan just wasn't in good enough form for Klinsmann. Despite all his accolades and his reputation, the manger has to pick the 23 that he feels will win games. Klinsmann has a vision for the future of U.S. soccer and Landon Donovan clearly wasn't a part of that vision. Here is the rest of the USMNT roster and a video to pay homage to Landon. Thanks for the memories!
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
