Will Landon Donovan be first choice in Brazil?

The Mexico match did prove something to me, Klinsmann seems to not care if you're a star, as long as you aren't part of the "spine" (or so he calls it), if you don't perform in training, you're riding the bench.

 

He is one of the guys who consistently changes the scoreboard with passes and goals of his own. If he is fit, he is my first choice. People are worried about his conditioning but that won't take long to recover.

 

That was a while ago. So far he has looked pretty decent but not as good as back then.

 

Guys are being played ahead Donovan because Klinsi thinks they give us the best chance to win, not to teach Donovan a lesson.

 

Yes.

 

JK was going to play him at striker in the Mexico match. Imo that's the best position for him going into the Cup. The issues are his knee and conditioning.

 

I don't think JK will buy into Landon's (understandable) "I need to listen to my body" philosophy
http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1...insmann-affecting-landon-donovan-game?cc=5901

 

Original poster - there is a poll in n&a about the starting 11, over 90% put him in the 11 last I looked over there.

Edit-now 88%

 

It's pretty clear that Klinsmann wants Donovan to kneel before him, and LD is doing it. This is all about ego for Jurgen, who has carte blanche to manage like an asshole because they already gave him his extension.

 

I think he will start one game -- hard to see him in the games where we won't have much of the ball.

I applaud Klinsmann for this, work/form should get you into the starting eleven. Landon has a month or so to prove it. Every good professional (athletic or not), needs a good push now and then.

 

But that's what fans would do, not Jurgen. I would start Landon but that's a different question than will Jurgen start him.

If Landon doesn't start playing better I could definitely see Jurgen putting him on the bench, whether 88% of BS agrees or not.

 

Sure, not expecting JK reads BS. Original poster responded with his vote if he was at the controls as well, so just pointing out the overall forum vote here. We have these threads on individual players - Gonzo, Altidore, Clint, LD, etc...but all 4 are still starters at least according to the vote in N&A from forum participants. Just interesting.

 

I think Landon being philosophical and thoughtful in his interviews drives JK mad. LD is cycling/saving himself for every 4th day or 7th day. JK wants it all each day to 'prove it.' Sorry, I don't think he needs to 'prove' anything.

Zusi, Wondo, Eddie Johnson, they are not better players than Donovan. Based on his history and even how he has managed to rally himself for Galaxy games, he deserves the benefit of the doubt.

 

Donovan is the anti-Klinsmann. The communitarian vs. the individualist.

I don't think JK even likes him, on a philosophical basis. So I wouldn't be surprised if he rides the bench. Matter of fact, with JK now 100% safe in his $10+ million gig, I wouldn't be that surprised if he left him at home.

 

there's such a long history between these two. I'd really love to read a book (either from LD or JK) that discusses Landon's time at Bayern.

 

Does LD start? NOBODY knows. My take is JK is playing games with the competition (Ghana, Germany & Portugal).

JK knows what LD can do... why play him in friendlies. Keep Ghana, Germany & Portugal coaches guessing so they don't know who they need to prepare against.

 

Posters are looking at reality; Jurgen is looking at $12million in his bank account over the 2014/2018 cycle. That's two distinct criteria when it comes to team selection.

He would love to have Landon Donovan fail for him in Brazil. You would too if you were in Klnsi's place. It's just easy as pie. A no-brainer.

Sunil made a bad decision when he extended Klnsmann's contract. Solskjaer may well be available if Cardiff go down. He would have been a great hire.

 

I may be missing something pretty massive here, so please, correct me if I'm wrong -- but I don't know why everyone is on the conspiracy theory about JK sitting Landon. There are plenty of threads about sitting Dempsey and Jermaine Jones and Altidore and whoever else isn't in form -- why would he treat Landon any differently?

For me a current out-of-form Donovan is not a better option than in-form others (not saying anyone is in-form at the moment), so I could see why he was doing it. And does anyone actually think JK won't bring him to Brazil?

 

If Donovan's knee is F'd with tendonitis then there's basis to bring him off the bench. However, let's be honest, him and Klinsmann are not getting along. I'm not sure what it is, if it stems from his sabbatical/time off in Cambodia or what. There is something up between them. I think this is Donovan's last World Cup. Dempsey is alive again but during the slump he gave Dempsey more leeway. Which isn't surprising, he picked Dempsey as captain but I saw a double standard.

 

Why would $12 million in his bank account lead to Klinsmann deliberately fielding a bad team? Every coach selects the team that he believes will give him the best chance to win. Of course, those choices may turn out to be stupid in hindsight. But you are assuming that Klinsmann knows that Donovan is his best player and doesn't play him anyway. Do you honestly think that Klinsmann wants to lose games? Why would he? His reputation as a coach is on the line and no one likes to lose.

 

What do u mean by "win"? Do u mean keeping his job? Seriously, I'm not sure. What would you do, take a risk and lose ur job or do what is safe and keep it? What does ur wife say?

You dont seriously think that anybody will criticize Klinsi if he starts Jozy, Dempsey and Donovan, do you? Of course not. And that is what he will do.

 

Donovan "not at 100%" is better than any of the other options (aside from Fabian Johnson, but he should be filling the gaping hole at left back)... if Brad freaking Davis plays a single minute at the World Cup (or even makes the roster) I will hurt someone.

 

I have no idea what this statement is about.

 

Thanks for sharing your ignorance.