Donovan Left Off The Plane To Brazil
- Thread starter Kjbert
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GK: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Nick Rimando
D: DeMarcus Beasley, Matt Besler, John Brooks, Geoff Cameron, Timmy Chandler, Omar Gonzalez, Fabian Johnson, DeAndre Yedlin
MF: Kyle Beckerman, Ale Bedoya, Michael Bradley, Brad Davis, Mix Diskerud, Julian Green, Jermaine Jones, Graham Zusi
F: Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Aron Johannsson, Chris Wondolowski
Cut:
Landon Donovan, Terrance Boyd, Joe Corona, Maurice Edu, Brad Evans, Clarence Goodson, Michael Parkhurts
D: DeMarcus Beasley, Matt Besler, John Brooks, Geoff Cameron, Timmy Chandler, Omar Gonzalez, Fabian Johnson, DeAndre Yedlin
MF: Kyle Beckerman, Ale Bedoya, Michael Bradley, Brad Davis, Mix Diskerud, Julian Green, Jermaine Jones, Graham Zusi
F: Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Aron Johannsson, Chris Wondolowski
Cut:
Landon Donovan, Terrance Boyd, Joe Corona, Maurice Edu, Brad Evans, Clarence Goodson, Michael Parkhurts
Copying what I said in another thread:
Whether in form or not, when you watch Donovan play on the NT you can see he is still world's ahead of the rest of the squad.
He's lost his pace, but his first touch, agility, off-the-ball, and technical ability are unmatched as an American.
He's been with us for over a decade. He'd be valuable even if he came off the bench.
I think Klinsmann has had it out for Landon since his sabbatical.
I'm disappointed and I disagree with the decision.
Whether in form or not, when you watch Donovan play on the NT you can see he is still world's ahead of the rest of the squad.
He's lost his pace, but his first touch, agility, off-the-ball, and technical ability are unmatched as an American.
He's been with us for over a decade. He'd be valuable even if he came off the bench.
I think Klinsmann has had it out for Landon since his sabbatical.
I'm disappointed and I disagree with the decision.
I honestly think Klinsmann is doing what he thinks is best for the team. I don't agree with that, because I believe he would be more valuable than Brad Davis and Julien Green and Chris Wondolowski (who you could argue he could "replace" positionally). But I am not at training, so I don't know for sure. I gotta trust JK based on his track record with personnel decisions throughout WCQ.
Agreed. Which means it had to be discussed previously with head honchos and the decision was not made lightly. That's the first time I actually thought of it that way too. Here's my original post from the FB group.
John Malone Jr:
Davis over Donovan is the big move... That shows you that it's a personal JK decision. Every other roster move looks like he went younger younger younger... almost giving up on this World Cup. But then he takes Davis (who has a good left footed set piece dont get me wrong) over the guy who IS usa soccer.
We haven't had a forward score a goal since 2002. That's INSANE. Donovan's WC goals equal that of Messi, Ronaldo, and van Persie COMBINED.
It just seems crazy to me that you don't want an extra veteran on the team. I love Deuce, but I don't think he brings the same 'it' factor that LD does. I don't know.
Everyone talks about how America has this underdog thing. Whether its sports, real life, or anything else. We have some sort of spirit... Donovan was that. It's not a coincidence that he scored that Algeria goal.
Just read the Grantland article and I feel better
http://grantland.com/features/usmnt-world-cup-2014-landon-donovan-clint-dempsey/
http://grantland.com/features/usmnt-world-cup-2014-landon-donovan-clint-dempsey/
I'm sorry... I understand that this is a long term thing, but we've been "on the cusp" since 2002. I know soccer is a long-term deal. It takes decades to change things, but playing for the next world cup while this one is still in front of us is crazy. I don't care if we have a tough group, getting out of it should be the goal. Are we the Mets? Is this a "rebuilding world cup?" Seriously, it comes once every four years. If there was another WC next year? Sure. Let's throw this one away and play for the future, but who the heck knows what can happen in four years. Play the next game on your schedule.
Leaving Donovan off scream "2018" not let's play to the best of our abilities now.
Leaving Donovan off scream "2018" not let's play to the best of our abilities now.
What I'm confused about is whether people think LD's omission is going to be the reason why we don't win the WC. We aren't getting out of the group and a 32 yr old out of shape LD isn't going to carry us past Germany and Portugal. This changes nothing really except hurt people's feelings. His contributions to the team can't ever be taken away from him and he is a US soccer legend but it is what it is. It's time to look towards the future.
I think this is as much about 2016 Olympics and Copa Americana and 2017 Gold Cup as it is Russia 2018. For better or for worse.
But when you look at the 2016 Olympic talent, this squad could be the Belgium of this Cup in 2018
But when you look at the 2016 Olympic talent, this squad could be the Belgium of this Cup in 2018
We're getting out of this group.
We likely won't win the whole thing but we'll get out of the group.
I think its Jurgen hedging his bets.
He knows his job is secure no matter what happens in Brazil. So with such a strong group, most aren't expecting us to advance anyway, so bring in the youth and get them acclimated if nothing else.
I still believe we have the fire power to advance.
This is a squad with a lot of talent.
Johannsen in my opinion should start over Jozy
Mix is a very smart player with a good touch and great vision
Im curious what will come from green, I wasnt WOWED by his performance against Mexico, but there is no Denying he has talent.
I still would have taken a half fit Landon over the piece of shit that is Brad Davis.....How in the fuck did he even make the 30? I would have taken Joe Corona any day of the week.
Johannsen in my opinion should start over Jozy
Mix is a very smart player with a good touch and great vision
Im curious what will come from green, I wasnt WOWED by his performance against Mexico, but there is no Denying he has talent.
I still would have taken a half fit Landon over the piece of shit that is Brad Davis.....How in the fuck did he even make the 30? I would have taken Joe Corona any day of the week.
At the end of the day, Landon could have performed and forced his way on the team. If LD had 5-8 goals in the MLS this is not an issue and he has a plane ticket. Instead he tried to make a late run to get into form and fell short. Nothing in life is a given... sometimes you have to take it.
Look at Wondo. For years everyone told him that he was a nice MLS player, but not USMNT quality. His answer was just to keep scoring - first in the MLS and later internationally. All those goals were too hard for Klinsmann to ignore, so Wondo goes to Brazil instead of LD.
I will miss Landon though... one of the best in USA history.
Look at Wondo. For years everyone told him that he was a nice MLS player, but not USMNT quality. His answer was just to keep scoring - first in the MLS and later internationally. All those goals were too hard for Klinsmann to ignore, so Wondo goes to Brazil instead of LD.
I will miss Landon though... one of the best in USA history.
It's OK for Jurgen to hedge his bet. And Davis is a "specialist" I guess you could say.
But if you are going to take the 3 "kids" the guy you leave off the plane can't be Landon. I'm sorry. That's not the guy you hedge your bets with. I get it - his form hasn't been great. But how many guys will see the field down there anyway? 17? 18?
Ever seen the movie, The Girl Next Door? When they bring over the kid from Asia after they raise all that money and they tell him, "Kid, you better cure cancer or something" - that's how I feel about Julian Green right now
But if you are going to take the 3 "kids" the guy you leave off the plane can't be Landon. I'm sorry. That's not the guy you hedge your bets with. I get it - his form hasn't been great. But how many guys will see the field down there anyway? 17? 18?
Ever seen the movie, The Girl Next Door? When they bring over the kid from Asia after they raise all that money and they tell him, "Kid, you better cure cancer or something" - that's how I feel about Julian Green right now
We sit out a guy that said on national television that he doesn't feel fit anymore. That he can't train fully with the rest of the team because his body can't handle it. And people are mad... Brazil leaves out Ronaldinho who would give anything to play and has been working his old ass off to play and people are ok with it... Because they have better players, so do we as it pertains to Donovan.
That's a pretty big claim.
Again, LD has not been in form. I think we all agree. But to say there are 23 players in better form is pretty gutsy. Think John Harkes nailed it yesterday when he said that if we have 23 better players than LD right now, we should win the World Cup.
Again, LD has not been in form. I think we all agree. But to say there are 23 players in better form is pretty gutsy. Think John Harkes nailed it yesterday when he said that if we have 23 better players than LD right now, we should win the World Cup.
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