That's an interesting point, but it doesn't seem like he consistently did that throughout the roster. On the one end, we're bringing Green even though he's got one whole cap. On the other, he's taking Wondo instead of Boyd.
God damnit. So now we get to miss Brad for half the summer while he sits on a bench in Brazil. Happy for him but UGH, we suck.
Congrats to Davis. The man is such a professional and its good to see him rewarded. But no Landon on this roster?
I dunno, I'm a little pissed that an unproven guy with only one cap (Green) makes the team, and the guy that has bled red, white and blue is left at home. Is crap. I don't care wtf LD has or hasn't done in the MLS. He had shown up EVERY World Cup.
I really have mixed feelings and tons of speculation on the Donovan choice, non choice rather. On the one end immediately I thought of Ching and how he's paid for it with his, what in my opinion is, a blasphemous nickname and the asshole US fans that would do that to him. On the other I had to wonder if the sabbatical didn't bite him in the ass, as well as not leaving to Europe and staying there, or even if Donovan bought into the new way of doing things on this team as opposed to the rest of those on the squad who did. As a coach looking at what this guy meant to the team I would've wanted him to really push himself in the highest levels of competitions and stay there by any means necessary. Feels like Dempsey or Howard are looked at as the face of the team and the leader now as opposed to him. He was our face of the team and the one player we depended on to have a good game, and watching us now I dont feel that from him or even the sports analysts when they talk about our keys to winning. Like I said, its all me speculating. I understand Dempsey and Wondo and other MLS'ers like Davis are on the squad too. I just really would like to understand not calling Donovan. This could easily be his last World Cup.
This feels like 1998 all over again. Late cut of a veteran (Harkes), questionable picks of young guys and barely Americans (Chad Deering!! David Regis!!!), a tough group - I will cheer as hard as anyone by this seems to be a boom or bust sort of roster. I also suspect we will see stories the next couple of days about internal problems on the team or with coaches about Donovan.
And for the record, I did think Donovan sort of abandoned the national team with his sabbatical last year, but he came back and played in the Gold Cup on the "B" team and paid his dues to get back
hey, I was just kidding at the Ching testimonial when Landycakes was playing GK in front of 135 and I sang, "You're not going to Brazil, you're not going to Brazil, you're not going, you're not going, you're not going to Brazil!" accidental prophet, it turned out...
Green is more unproven than just his lack of caps. His lack of 1st team ball is staggering...and not surprising all things considered. Feels like we bribed him to join us where Donovan has bled it. No one is more dynamic, overall, than him. Btw, which striker is supposed to help us. We've a poacher in Wondo, hot & cold Deuce, and ice cold Jozy.
I've been paying attention to Landon Donovan's comments recently, and he's made every indication that he is not fit or ready for the World Cup. His comments, have shown that his heart is not in it or is body is unable to perform anymore at that level. It's a very tough choice for Klinsmann, especially given LD10's status in US soccer history.
Although I haven't seen anything reported, I have to believe that Donovan participated in the decision to some extent. Unless Klinsmann is an absolute tyrant there is no way he could not have brought LD in and had a conversation about this. Wondo, Brad, guys like that...sure, they might just be informed that they were "not selected." But it's hard to believe that Donovan would just be dropped without pretty serious consultation.
100% agree. add to that LDs laissez faire attitude about making the team, there is no real argument for his inclusion. what he has done in the past will not help us in Brazil. he's not a great locker room guy, he's slower, fatter and has a history of not getting along with JK. plus poor fitness, a stacked midfield and no future past this WC, and he is odd man out. JK has huge onions for doing this and I applaud him for his vision and stones. LD had to work his a$$ off to get back on this team after he walked away and he simply didn't do it. JK want's guys who will give 100% getting off the bus in the morning and LDs "i'm california cool-whatevs" attitude didn't equate. no one gets tenure or legacy. bob bradley is gone and just going through the motions isn't gonna cut it any more. also, not sure how LD would have fit in the 4-4-2 diamond formation any how. there is no way he can play forward at a world class level and he certainly isn't playing in the middle. his pace won't allow him on the flanks vs teams in our group. it simply came down to him not fitting in. LD is arguably the greatest american soccer player in history and we all owe him respect and praise. what he has done in the past is not up for debate and there probably should be a statue somewhere with his likeness. Thank you for everything LD. now lets look to the future. it's gonna be a fun couple of weeks. and i'm already looking forward to the WC after this one!!
I don't think the US will be fielding any 'world class' players sans Tim and Michael. That being said Donovan on the left has worked in the past and no reason it can't now' even if only as a 2nd half sub. No one can honestly say Green or Brad are better. And what is this about Landon being 'fat'? He isn't in that great form (no one on LA is...) but his leadership and experience are invaluable for a group like this. He knows how to beat Portugal and how to play Germany and Ghana. Huge mistake on JK's part.
The real story of that World Cup was Regis over Agoos. Regis gets a passport like a month before the World Cup and then Agoos is dropped. That triggered the US meltdown (Harkes sleeping with Wynalda's wife was another issue). Good article from Jonah Freedman on this recently: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...vid-regis-says-about-usmnts-julian-green-word I look at this as Green, a player who had declared for Germany but switched - not for pride of country but because Klinsy offered him a spot in the World Cup - going over the greatest player to ever wear the US shirt. Not saying LD is the best American player ever, don't think he is, but when he pulled on that shirt he grew 5x bigger. Those types of players are rare. Leaving LD home is a mistake, no doubt about it. Not an LD fan, but when our back is against the wall, there is no player I'd rather have on the pitch. Wonder if the players are having a similar reaction to what the guys in 1998 had.
No doubt about LD10's dominance in the American game, and the World Cup in particular. But this has been coming for some time. Everybody had to know that he was not in for this WC. There has been too many signs pointing to him being phased out over the last 2 years. I cannot see this as a mistake at this time, and there's a chance that it's even for the better. I'll withhold judgement right now into reading players, and JK's mind. We may find out some info soon, but I'd think that the players are focused on the task at hand, and won't go down the road that France did in 2010 with the manager and selection.
IIRC, Klinnsman had Donovan slotted as a forward. Green may have taken someone's spot (and the fact that we're taking a kid with one cap who currently plays club ball in the f--king fourth division is outrageous), but it wasn't Donovan's.
Klinsy can put Donovan on the team sheet as a forward, but we all know how he would have been played. Same as he always has done - either on the wings or a false 9.
Re: Brad Davis Sing along with me: "TX Bill was wrong, TX Bill was wrong, oh yes, TX Bill was wroooooooong, TX Bill was wrong." I can't tell you how proud I was to see Davis make the roster. Buzzing here.
LOVE seeing Brad make the team.... so proud.... I kind of wish LD had made it also, but I think his current form and continued talk of passion or lack of passion sometimes hurt him.... Jurgen certainly wasn't a fan of the sabbatical the previous year. Can't wait for the Cup to start... this first match against Ghana... both teams are going to look at it as a must win game... Let's go USA!