Photo: Landon Donovan (Getty Images)
Landon Donovan is perhaps the best oufield player to have ever pulled on the United States of America’s soccer shirt but was left out of the official squad for this summer’s World Cup in Brazil. The veteran of three World Cups and scorer in two of the tournaments didn’t make Jurgen Klinsmann’s final 23 man squad.
Donovan who has 5 World Cup goals to his name (2 in 2002 and 3 in 2010) and the most experienced player at the disposal of the German manager, was looking forward to his fourth straight World Cup but was left heart-broken. At the age of just 32 years, the speedy and tricky attacker has played 156 times for his country and is the all time leading scorer with 57 goals. His absence is a huge blow for the Americans because of his experience, leadership and ability to deliver on the big occasion.
The descision has left many supporters of the US Men’s National Team stunned and saw them taking to twitter to express their shock and and anger at he exclusion of Donovan. Some have even called for the German to be sacked. There are others who think Klinsmann made the right choice by selecting young players and sees this as a sign of preparing for the future. Young Julian Green who plays at Bayern Munich was selected. He has no first team experience and even though it’s excellent to put faith in youth, there is still a need for leadership and guidance from the experienced players.
There is also the surprise exclusion of Anderlecht’s Sacha Kljestan who has tons of champions league experience and played in almost all the qualifiers. Maurice Edu formerly of Rangers and Stoke City is also absent along with the speedy Eddie Johnson.
US Men’s Squad for the World Cup
Goalkeepers: Tim Howard (Everton), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders: Omar Gonzales (LA Galaxy), Matt Besler (Kansas City), Tim Chandler (Nurnberg), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Demarcus Beasley (Puebla), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim).
Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Graham Zusi (Kansas City), Mikkel Diskerud (Rosenburg), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Julian Green (Bayern Munich).
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes).
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