Landon not included in World Cup qualifying roster(per SI)

Good thing I hit unignore - yep, it turned out later that he was sick. Thankfully Klinsmann randomly throw Altidore under the bus again.

And I'll still take Donovan ahead of Johnson or Zusi in that starting XI.

 

Thanks for reminding me that there really are shameless people on the earth.

 

I'm surprised you don't own a mirror.

Altidore has been kicked out by Klinsmann for less. See October 2012. Unless you're referring to Donovan? I wouldn't be surprised, a lot of people decided he sucked in late April when Klinsmann said the magic words.

 

I was referring to "Thankfully Klinsmann randomly throw Altidore under the bus again."

..as in you pointing out Klinsmann was shameless. It doesn't matter of course.

 

Gotta recognize the good, and the not so good to be balanced. Today was the not so good. Good touches in midfield, but not enough up top. He needs to be more clinical in the final third. Not a good game today.

 

I see nothing has changed, he has become a good DP role player. Maybe he gets his Mojo back in the GC.

 

I have not been a fan of Zusi at all, but these last two matches I thought he's been quite good. His work rate is dare I say LD like. This is a great for the team as the 2013 LD is not getting back in the starting 11 anytime soon unless he regains 2010 form.

 

I just had a thought that I posted in another thread. If this has been touched on before I apologize.

I don't think anyone would disagree that Landon hasn't yet regained his consistency. However we all know he will regain form if he is truly enjoying the game again. Jurgen is not a stupid man. Is it possible the Gold Cup call up is simply to see if Landon is genuinely committed and not a "test of form" so to speak?

 

I'm sure that's part of it. JK also said from the beginning that LD would have to work his way back on the team and the GC is a means for him to do that and for JK to show everyone he meant what he said.

I don't think for one second JK doesn't believe LD, even in his current form, would not improve this team. I can't imagine he wouldn't rather be starting, or subbing on, Donovan instead of Davis or Johnson.

 

If that is the case folks should be encouraged to know he once again stated to multiple media outlets today that he is very excited and looking forward to playing at the Gold Cup.

 

Zusi was pretty decent in this game. No where near LD at his best. It is arguable whether today's LD is as good as Zusi, but LD certainly has a chance to displace Zusi even if his current form is all that he has.

 

So, if that is the case as to what JK doesn't believe, then that is probably not the best approach to the WCQs in June, imo.

(Whatever the case, it is looking like JK has enough healthy and in-form bodies available -- as of now, for the matches on June 7, 11 and 18. And with LD likely set for the GC, hopefully guys like Davis and Johnson will be able to make positive contributions to the qualifying campaign this month when/if they are indeed given minutes by JK. And I would imagine those minutes will arrive in these next 3 games.)

 

I've got to sadly admit, I'm not convinced Landon will ever be on the "A" team again - even after the Gold Cup. I'm not convinced he will make the final 23 (is it?) for the Gold Cup roster. I just don't think Klinsi values his contributions enough and LD currently is not doing enough to "make it hard for him to leave me off."

 

I don't disagree, but he obviously thinks he's ok for these next three qualifiers. It is what it is at this point.

As to Johnson and Davis - I hope they can contribute if they get the chance, but I really don't want to see either one on a WC 23. Johnson has no soccer brain. Davis is too timid and slow. Maybe he can gain confidence and improve on the former, but I still think WC level is beyond him.

 

I think Fabian Johnson at this point is almost a lock for the WC, right behind Jones, Bradley, Dempsey and Altidore. While indeed he lacks a soccer brain and some of the stuff he does leaves me scratching my head, he's quite good with the ball, and can control the tempo on his wing.

 

I meant Eddie Johnson.

 

LD's inclusion on the GC roster makes me want to propound a crazy theory: Maybe JK doesn't have a personal vendetta for LD, or feel the need to show the world who's boss, or lack any understanding of player selection, but just left him off the June roster because he sincerely thought LD wasn't ready for international level play after the long layoff.

 

Then don't say crazy things about his skillset relative to others. Just say he's not ready.

The way Landon's been talking he will be at the gold cup come hell or highwater. This hopefully will be a non-issue by September.

 

“I don’t see him ready yet to come back into our group" - Klinsmann.

Edit: P.S. Where is the stuff about the skillset relative to others? I didn't see that quote.

 

Maybe Monday is making me cynical, but this just immediately popped to mind...

 

Sooo... Landon needs to be celibate?

 

That certainly isn't a crazy theory.

(Although I would suggest it is crazy -- and likely wrong -- of JK if he actually believes in June 2013 that "LD wasn't (isn't) ready for international level play." And it certainly would have been interesting to perhaps, in some alternate universe, see LD take the field in the BEL or GER friendlies to offer evidence or counter-evidence to JK's thoughts on LD's readiness.)

It could certainly be #4 above, without it being any of 1, 2 or 3.

But I tend to think it that even if it honestly was #4, it leaves open the real possibility that most or all of 1, 2 and 3 played a role in JK's thinking to arrive at "sincere" option #4.

 

I really didn't see him slotting in as flanker the way Klinsmann had been demanding the position be played. If the flankers are playing in the manner as against Germany however then Donovan needs a starting berth on either side.

 

So you're saying the one that didn't abandon the team at a critical moment is equal in form to the one that did?

 

Abandon ?????

Isn't it weird how the use of a word can change the whole concept of a sentence.

try this:

So you're saying that the one who was injured is equal in form to (put your favorite players name here),who wasn't.