That's exactly why it's a mistake. Qualifying for a world cup isn't a given, so to more or less throw in the towel to build for some mythical future is not only insulting to the players/fans, it's a ********ing incredibly risky (and expensive) gamble, for what end?
It probably depends on how we go three and out. If he loses the locker room, and if for example among other things, Howard retires internationally and speaks his mind, they may be forced to make a change and eat the money.
I think they are too invested in his youth system and his idea of rebuilding the team. I honestly think it would be pretty hard for him to get fired. He'd almost have to try. Howard is probably not the keeper at the next WC, so why care if he retires in a huff?
Leaving off your best all time player and living legend and marketing golden boy, most recognizable face, etc is a good start to the "trying to get fired" part.
Could well be. He may be untouchable. I suppose it would have to have more to do with him losing the confidence of younger players, if it is even possible for him to get fired.
Interesting comment from Eskandarian: Alecko Eskandarian @alecko11 1h Landon Donovan was not my favorite teammate in the world. With that said, this is a HUGE mistake to leave him off the World Cup team. #USMNT Is Landon a problem in the locker room? Keep in mind that Alecko played with him on the Galaxy years ago.
https://www.facebook.com/landondonovan/posts/10154183759445010 To my fans, It has been an honor and privilege to have represented the US National Team in three World Cups. I was looking forward to playing in Brazil and, as you can imagine, I am very disappointed with today’s decision. Regardless, I will be cheering on my friends and teammates this summer, and I remain committed to helping grow soccer in the US in the years to come. Thanks for all your support, Landon
What has klinsmann done, really, we lucked into an incredibly easy WCQ run because of Mexico's implosion and an incredibly fluky snow bowl. The team has never looked that great except for Donovan's gold cup run, and even that was against a lot of B and C level competition. I don't see the style or intelligence increasing under JK and our U-etc performances haven't been world beaters. I think the guy is going to get exposed for the C-level motivational speaker he is against real teams.
No, I think it's a wrong decision, but he can defend it. Donovan isn't in good form, is struggling to score, has had injury issues, missed a lot of qualifying, didn't play well against Mexico, might be hitting the mileage limit on his body, took the sabbatical....I think he's wrong, but that's defensible to US Soccer.
You're right of course, i'm getting overly emotional about this whole thing, so i'm going to step away and chill the ******** out, sorry everyone.
I'm not really disagreeing with any of that, I'm just telling you that from the admin point of view, they are committed to him, and committed to him knowing this could be a bad cycle in the Finals. This does not change that. I think they are too invested to make a change.
I'm sure you are right, but thats U.S. soccer leadership for you Gulati etc never miss a chance to miss a chance. I think they have been snookered by a con artist but they think they have found the German pot of gold.
This is an incredibly mean thing to say, but part of me is hoping that someone picks up a knock, which gives Landon a spot back on the roster. I'm not sure if Jurgen will have the balls to call him up though. If it's a striker that goes down, does Boyd get the call first? Things will sure be awkward if Landon somehow makes it back onto the roster. What a poor decision by Klinsmann though. I have to believe that there's something personal going on...I just don't know what.
Totally perplexed right now. Why did he see Donovan as a forward, when he is clearly one of the top midfielders in the national team pool? No disrespect to Diskerud, Davis, Bedoya, and Green, but there is no way those guys are performing miles ahead of Donovan in training camp. As much as I like Graham Zusi, I don't see how he is better than Donovan in any way.
I think that after this call...he can't call him back in for injury, can he? I mean really? That would be beyond awkward. I guess in theory he could, and Landon could swallow his pride and come back. I think, though, with Boyd left off, that would be the swap-in if a striker got hurt.
My thoughts exactly. I thought surely Klinssfck was just using motivation tricks with Donovan, he couldn't be so dense that he really wouldn't take him. No one could be that dumb. Or, if personal, that petty. I was wrong. Well my already slim hope that we get out of the group from hell just dropped to approximately zero. Are we sure this isn't a late April fools joke? The last time I had this feeling was the day I came to the boards and found out we had traded away one of my favorite LA players (won't use name to avoid thread hijack). Once every friggin' four years a large portion of the US gets excited about soccer and Klinmann has to spoil it. Arggggg....
Someone is US Soccer marketing had better be REALLY busy redesigning....uh...well, I guess pretty much everything that's World Cup promo material.