Captain and top WC goalscorer for USA, Landon Donovan excluded of the squad

arniesarmy · May 23, 2014

majority of US couldn't care less. I'm 57 and played soccer in elementary school. Youngsters play it but it will never be a major sport here. I'll keep tabs on the World Cup, but when the US is out, I won't watch a full game. Can't criticize those that do, but I know it will never catch on as a mainstream sport here, no matter how much ESPN tries to shove it down our throats.

GoBlue34 · May 23, 2014

Damn, I actually am someone who thinks he should be on the squad. Still a very good/great player.

RunLeeRun · May 23, 2014

pocketrockets said:
Why not? Donovan is known as a second striker/offensive midfielder... a natural "10" who is able to serve and score.

Plain and simple, he isn't the first option now at any position.

----------Altidore----------Dempsey----------
X-----------------Bradley------------X--------
-------------------Jones-----------------------

That's the look from midfield on. Jones is DM, Donovan can't play there. Bradley is playing the point. That's the most important position (and he happens to be the US's best player currently) that forms the triangle with the forwards. He has to be strong on the ball and work in congestion. He's not beating Bradley out there, not to mention Bradley's work rate. He's not even the 3rd option at forward. The only two posiblities are the two x's. Now, it's important to note that possession and defensive backtracking are more valued than the attack. This is because all the outside backs on this 23 man roster: Beasley, Johnson, Yedlin, Chandler are all the type that like to push forward. There has to be coverage then. Guys like Bedoya and Zusi are ahead of him....and well, I guess even Davis. He's not first option anywhere.

Now, all that said, I thought he would have been included for experience and as a sub. But the problem was that he has been talking way too much about not being driven. He dug his own grave. Plus I mentioned how I think Klinnsman is thinking about 2018. Why else do you include young guys that had almost no part in qualifying? Brooks, Green, Yedlin, Chandler, Johannsson, etc.

And for the record, I did want him on the roster.

MattyMatt · May 23, 2014

RunLeeRun said:
Plain and simple, he isn't the first option now at any position.

----------Altidore----------Dempsey----------
X-----------------Bradley------------X--------
-------------------Jones-----------------------

That's the look from midfield on. Jones is DM, Donovan can't play there. Bradley is playing the point. That's the most important position (and he happens to be the US's best player currently) that forms the triangle with the forwards. He has to be strong on the ball and work in congestion. He's not beating Bradley out there, not to mention Bradley's work rate. He's not even the 3rd option at forward. The only two posiblities are the two x's. Now, it's important to note that possession and defensive backtracking are more valued than the attack. This is because all the outside backs on this 23 man roster: Beasley, Johnson, Yedlin, Chandler are all the type that like to push forward. There has to be coverage then. Guys like Bedoya and Zusi are ahead of him....and well, I guess even Davis. He's not first option anywhere.

Now, all that said, I thought he would have been included for experience and as a sub. But the problem was that he has been talking way too much about not being driven. He dug his own grave. Plus I mentioned how I think Klinnsman is thinking about 2018. Why else do you include young guys that had almost no part in qualifying? Brooks, Green, Yedlin, Chandler, Johannsson, etc.

And for the record, I did want him on the roster.

I agree with everything but wanting him on the roster.

RunLeeRun · May 23, 2014

pocketrockets said:
2013 2nd best scoring year for LD with the US team... much disinformation on the comments above.

He was in good form then, and let's be honest those were B-squad Gold Cup games. Not to undermine that goal scoring prowess, but he's lost that form.

RunLeeRun · May 23, 2014

MattyMatt said:
I agree with everything but wanting him on the roster.

Well, there is also team chemistry. Guys like Howard spoke highly of him, even recently. Just like there were some waves when, ex-captain, Bocanegra was set aside at the start of qualifying, you have the inclusion of Julian Green, who hasn't done anything in his career. He plays 3rd division Bundesliga. Seems to me the rumor is true that he was promised the World Cup to play for the US over Germany. That worries me about how the team gels.

MattyMatt · May 23, 2014

RunLeeRun said:
Well, there is also team chemistry. Guys like Howard spoke highly of him, even recently. Just like there were some waves when, ex-captain, Bocanegra was set aside at the start of qualifying, you have the inclusion of Julian Green, who hasn't done anything in his career. He plays 3rd division Bundesliga. Seems to me the rumor is true that he was promised the World Cup to play for the US over Germany. That worries me about how the team gels.

think they will gel just fine. He definitely put a mad emphasis on speed here, and youth. If, BIG if, they can make a run, it could pay off big time. If not, still think they're better off without Landon.

pocketrockets · May 23, 2014

bigtendominator said:
So you would rather have that midget over Lionel and CR?

No way, just a funny stat to throw around.

pocketrockets · May 23, 2014

RunLeeRun said:
Well, there is also team chemistry. Guys like Howard spoke highly of him, even recently. Just like there were some waves when, ex-captain, Bocanegra was set aside at the start of qualifying, you have the inclusion of Julian Green, who hasn't done anything in his career. He plays 3rd division Bundesliga. Seems to me the rumor is true that he was promised the World Cup to play for the US over Germany. That worries me about how the team gels.

A player with that little experience will hardly ever be used on the competition... just like Kaka in 2002, he was a sub, never played, but went to become a great player...

Now I agree Michael Bradley is WAY better player and more complete, great shooting skills, great defensive skills as well, guy can play OM, CM and DM... Clint Dempsey is up there as well, his last season at Fulham in 2012-2013 was amazing.

I still think LD would be useful as a sub and as a experienced player that can help the morale of the team, but who knows... maybe the squad is better off without him if he wont be playing, certain players poison the team when they are on the bench...

pocketrockets · May 23, 2014

----------Altidore----------Donovan----------
X-----------------Dempsey------------X--------
-------------------Bradley-----------------------

This is what I would use if I was Klinsmannn... Bradley as a defensive/central MF like he played is AS Roma, my favorite team ever... and Dempsey ahead serving the forwards and with a chance to shoot from distance... Altidore and Donovan striking.

cocktailsnlongshots+ · May 23, 2014

Does it matter who makes up this squad?...they will be lucky to garner a draw in the opening stage....

RunLeeRun · May 23, 2014

pocketrockets said:
----------Altidore----------Donovan----------
X-----------------Dempsey------------X--------
-------------------Bradley-----------------------

This is what I would use if I was Klinsmannn... Bradley as a defensive/central MF like he played is AS Roma, my favorite team ever... and Dempsey ahead serving the forwards and with a chance to shoot from distance... Altidore and Donovan striking.

Dempsey is out of position, imo, for the system Klinsmann runs. Regardless of announced formations, they transform according to the game. The US runs a lot of 4231 and more recently 442 Diamond. Either way, the CM's often play close to each other and they will interchange (Jones/Bradley). In that formation you would have Demspey as a Mid. Not good. Dempsey needs two guys between him and the CB's.

JustinCruise · May 23, 2014

bigtendominator said:
I wasn't, I was just annoyed with something else and just decided to write that. All good.

Another thing is, I hate, hate Landon. So overrated imo.

Probably the best soccer player in the history of the USA. Absolutely in the discussion. The guy was a here in the last world cup and it is a travesty that he is left off this roster.

When the US doesn't survive their group many will point to this as a reason why.

JustinCruise · May 23, 2014

bigtendominator said:
I wasn't, I was just annoyed with something else and just decided to write that. All good.

Another thing is, I hate, hate Landon. So overrated imo.

How can he be overrated if he is the all time leader in goals and assists for us soccer???

That sounds like a skip bayless type comment

ERockMoney · May 23, 2014

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mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} </style> <![endif]--> Donovan’s game was always built around speed and endurance, both of which have been severely waning for him in the last couple of years. He was never much for creating his own shot, great touch or passing, at least not against elite opposition.

Throw in the ridiculous talk of lack of drive, fire, not wanting to work and the inexcusable sabbatical in which he went to Thailand or Cambodia or something with no return date given, if ever. Since then he has been a shell of himself and clearly not fit to be on this squad IMO. I think it’s the right move by Klinsmann, if you don’t want to be here you’re not going be here, if you don’t want to work or put forth the effort you’re not going to be part of this team.

It’s likely not to matter, as this squad would need a minor miracle to advance out of the group stage. I’ll give them a little better chance of a solid showing than CTLS, but not by much. A year ago, I was a bit more optimistic, but more players coming back to the MLS versus exciting the MLS has things going in the wrong direction. When much of your squad plays in the ninth-tenth best domestic league you are fighting an uphill battle before you even step on the pitch.

pocketrockets · May 23, 2014

ERockMoney said:
 Donovan’s game was always built around speed and endurance, both of which have been severely waning for him in the last couple of years. He was never much for creating his own shot, great touch or passing, at least not against elite opposition.

Throw in the ridiculous talk of lack of drive, fire, not wanting to work and the inexcusable sabbatical in which he went to Thailand or Cambodia or something with no return date given, if ever. Since then he has been a shell of himself and clearly not fit to be on this squad IMO. I think it’s the right move by Klinsmann, if you don’t want to be here you’re not going be here, if you don’t want to work or put forth the effort you’re not going to be part of this team.

It’s likely not to matter, as this squad would need a minor miracle to advance out of the group stage. I’ll give them a little better chance of a solid showing than CTLS, but not by much. A year ago, I was a bit more optimistic, but more players coming back to the MLS versus exciting the MLS has things going in the wrong direction. When much of your squad plays in the ninth-tenth best domestic league you are fighting an uphill battle before you even step on the pitch.

I agree with your points.

WTF with Bradley and Dempsey returning to the MLS when they were having superb seasons in Italy and England respectively... $$$ is not the answer.

RunLeeRun · May 24, 2014

Looks a bit out of shape. This is from 3 weeks ago.

RunLeeRun · May 24, 2014

pocketrockets said:
I agree with your points.

WTF with Bradley and Dempsey returning to the MLS when they were having superb seasons in Italy and England respectively... $$$ is not the answer.

Not the answer for what? Club pays the bills, not a once every 4 year tournament. Can't say I am worried about them. They both have experience in Europe. Bradley has been in the mls for 4 months. DOn't see his game deteroirating in such a short window. Dempsey is a forward and he's on fire and confident right now. Prefer him in that mode than all beat up from the EPL.

pocketrockets · May 25, 2014

RunLeeRun said:
Not the answer for what? Club pays the bills, not a once every 4 year tournament. Can't say I am worried about them. They both have experience in Europe. Bradley has been in the mls for 4 months. DOn't see his game deteroirating in such a short window. Dempsey is a forward and he's on fire and confident right now. Prefer him in that mode than all beat up from the EPL.

For international soccer success and prestige... the MLS is not comparable in anyway to any major league in Europe, if I were to compare it to an European league in terms of quality... hmmm... even that is hard... I'd say Norway or Sweden.

Bradley was playing great in AS Roma, they wanted him to stay, he followed the $$$, Roma will play Champions League next year as they finished runner ups in the league behind Juve.

Fulham did well with Dempsey and Bryan Ruiz making great combinations... he left, Ruiz left, Fulham is out of the Premier League next season, relegated.

Dempsey scored over 10 goals in his last fulham season, he wasnt "beat up".