USMNT: Donovan Not In

[Kingfish]

So now I have multiple teams/countries I would like to win, and also lots of teams/countries I want to lose. So I don't live and die with one team like I do with the Eagles.

KG would not approve. You sound like an anti-xenophobe. Repent!

Personally I think not taking Donovan--at least for his experience--is a mistake, but I guess Klinsmann has earned the benefit of the doubt for now. The decision is not that surprising given his view of Donovan over the past couple years.

[JDuggernaut]

For tradition alone you take him. Experienced as they come in the US. His 1st game back last summer they went off. Biggest American star. I seriously doubt the 23rd player will make too much of a difference. makes me want to watch the World Cup a little less. He had played in every one I'd ever watched. Should have gotten 1 last hurrah.

[Two Gap Penetrator]

It's the U.S. Mint.

Where they make the money.

[slag]

Not that surprising ... as someone else said ... there is still no cure for the common birthday.

[RSE]

Frank Lampard is 35 and he's going to Brazil for England. Donovan's the kind of player you need for 30 minutes in a tight game.

[slag]

Maybe Klinsmann has a cushy college job waiting for him also?

[slag]

PS - actually, someone on ESPN already speculated he had the cojones to do this because he got that 4-year extension.

[RSE]

He's like Chip in one respect -- he better be right.

[slag]

Maybe he's making the same play Kelly did and sending the same message that he's the top dog.

[PackWest]

Maybe he's making the same play Kelly did and sending the same message that he's the top dog.

A crusty old German acting like a hard-ass ? Sounds about right

Not sure on the WC rules, but can they add Landon back to the roster at a later date if they wanted to ?

[slag]

I believe he's on the standby list that allows him to be called in case of injury.

EDITED TO ADD: I did not see this officially, but I heard an interview with Klinsmann in which he said, after going on about how hard the decision was, that Donovan would be the first call he made if someone got hurt.

So I figure he's on the list.

[PackWest]

Klinsman knows he's in a very tough group, and bringing in Landon at a later date might be just the motivation/inspiration the team needs

Good coaches are masters at poking sticks and motivating guys

[slag]

I just saw on PTI that Klinsmann's son tweeted (which he later tried to take down):

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ... Donovan ... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA"

or some shit like that.

The back story (which I did not know) is that Klinsmann apparently thinks Donovan cost him his job at Bayern Munich when Klinsmann was coaching that team.

Which raises the possibility that this is some fucked up petty shit.

And, thus, as RSE said he better be right about the soccer part of it.

[nor'easter]

You are correct on the back story. Klinsmann lobbied Bayern management to bring Landon over on loan in 2009. Donovan didn't pan out; management questioned Klinsmann and then sacked him a few months later. They both claim it's water under the bridge but you have to wonder.

[Loki]

He might also not have liked...

Donovan taking a break from the sport as the US was in the midst of world cup qualifiers.