The Soccer Thread (Version 8)

Holy crap.

Full squad here.

http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1830254/landon-donovan-maurice-edu-left-world-cup-squad?cc=5901

 

Crazy -- he is US Soccer. And why not have him as a super sub in case we need offense?

 

The optics of this could doom JK's tenure with the USMNT. If the team flames out - even in the Group of Death - without a rusty Donovan on the roster, the wolves will be at the door.

 

From a performance standpoint, not really that surprising. He hasn't done jack for the Galaxy this year.

When they announced the 30 players for the camp, I read one of the reasons Eddie Johnson was left out was that Klinsmann was looking at Donovan as a forward rather than a midfielder. I remember thinking at the time that if that's the case, I'd rather have Johnson on my team than Donovan.

 

Because he hasn't produced any offense recently.

 

Jozy hasn't done anything for a year. Why is he on the roster?

 

You got me. I just know Donovan hasn't been his old self lately. The rest is up to Klinsmann. I didn't have a thing to do with it.

I'd still rather have Eddie Johnson on my team as a striker rather than Donovan right now.

 

Would you rather have Green or Donovan at midfield though?

 

Hey, I'm not picking the whole roster! I was just relating my thoughts when I heard Donovan was picked over Johnson for the camp. I'll leave the rest to the professionals.

 

Based on recent comments to the media, Klinsmann is aware of this.

No question Landon isn't what he was a few years ago. But a little surprised no one thought he might come in handy should anything happen to Dempsey or Jozy, be it physical or cards.

And given Sunil's love affair with Klinsmann, I question if bad results in Brazil get him sacked. Last I checked, the U.S. is in the Group of Death.

 

BTW, it's kind of cool (at least it is to me) that so many of the best U.S. players are playing in MLS these days -- 10 of the 23 on the World Cup team, to start with.

 

And I still think that if you have never lived in the US, you shouldn't play for our country.