I thought I heard rumblings about this and have been wondering for some time if it's true. I know Sneijder and van Persie hate each other, which has really soured the overall team camaraderie in the Dutch squad. That said, I honestly don't think it's a guarantee that Donovan is even on the 2014 roster, let alone a starter.
Dempsey said that he doesn't talk to Donovan outside the field in a interview with Dan Patrick I think, but I don't think they hate each other. I remember a few months ago a few people in here said that Donovan will be with the USMNT in 2018 SMH! But I expect him to be with the team in 2014 for sure if he stays healthy.
They're not calling each other up for Ice cream on the weekends, but I doubt that is hate. The two of them are probably more egotistical than their USMNT counterparts... but besides the competitive edge on the field that they have like nothng in common. One is a Texas yokel and the other is a South Cali former soccer prodigy...
There's never been any evidence that Donovan and Dempsey have any issues that affect the team. I don't think there's evidence they dislike each other either - it's just BS being BS IMO. So Dempsey said he doesn't talk to Donovan that much - big 'effin deal. That's probably true of many teamates. They live on different continents, one's single with no kids, one's married with kids, one likes the beach, and one bass fishing. As for Donovan in 2014... why? Because some young guy you've never seen play, read about on yanks abroad, and/ or only seen on youtube clips is destined to take his spot? Of course there's no guarantees, but unless Donovan is injured or sleeps with JK's wife there's no way he's not on the roster and a starter in 2014. This bit on here about JK pulling the plug on Donovan lately is patently stupid.
According to reports out of the Netherlands, there did indeed seem to be serious issues about infighting in the Dutch squad. Not just van Persie and Sneijder, but also van der Vaart and Huntelaar (who apparently was told to either shut up or leave the hotel they were staying in) played key roles. I would be very surprised if the relationship between the American players is anything like the Dutch players, especially since Dempsey and Donovan are not competing with each other for the same spot and for starting time. They don't need to be best buddies as long as they keep it professional. I also don't see any players that on the US squad that have comparable egos to the ones in the Dutch squad and who are unable to deal with sitting on the bench.
The only seed of discontent between them seems to be a BigSoccer creation with fans arguing. Just because they don't hang out doesn't mean a thing. I've played on many teams where the only place I see most teammates is on the field and that hasn't been even a slight indicator of my having a problem with them. Hell, many times I look forward to seeing guys and playing soccer with them and genuinely like them in that regard, but we may not have other things in common and have no need to see each other beyond that. Playing on the same team part of the year doesn't mean they need to be drinking buddies. They just have to be professionals, which they both are by all accounts.
I do recall Dempsey's goal in the Gold Cup last year and he immediately began pointing at Landon Donovan (after LD had been benched/subbed in the previous two games by Bradley) to indicate that he belongs on the field. There was no hate at that time.
They joke with each other on twitter on occasion. LD praised Clint on twitter throughout Clint's epic EPL season. No hate here at all. They seem have great respect for each other. Given the last sentence in the OP, I feel maybe the thread starter has some sort of agenda he's aiming for. Maybe I'm just being paranoid...or have grown weary of all the "donovan's done" threads around here. There seems to be collective memory problems on BS; some folks can't remember past the last 5 minutes.
Also, Dempsey likes to score goals, Donovan likes to set people up. Go ask Dempsey who he wants giving him the ball in dangerous situations. Conversely, ask Donovan who he wants to be on the end of those passes. One of the great things about having both of these guys on the US is that unlike so many cases where players squabble, they are complimentary in their approach, not in direct competition and trying to do the same things.
No agenda, but it's more than just Landon who I won't be shocked about if he's not starting in 2014. Gooch, Bocanegra, Cherundolo, etc. All these players will be fine in qualifying, but people forget how long TWO YEARS is in international soccer. A couple players make moves in Europe (see Cameron, Gatt, etc.) and there you have it. It's why "predicting" the roster for 2014 is pointless, we're a long ways away, and there's probably a couple players who people don't even know their names which will make the roster.
I don't think anyone would be shocked about Gooch (due to current form) or Cherundolo or Boca (due to age), but I expect Landon not being on the roster would be shocking to nearly everyone on BS. With DMN unearthing American-eligible players in the 18th level of Lithuanian soccer, there'll be no names we don't know on the roster.
I think the consensus is they aren't best friends, but they respect each other. Just very different personalities.
This. This picture (originally posted on the USMNT blog) was taken on the flight to the away qualifier at Guatemala in August 2008. Having never sat down to a game of chess against someone I actively dislike, I do admit that I do not know if this photographic evidence conclusively answers the question of "Do Dempsey and Donovan dislike each other?"
Just to further clarify, the Dempsey quote that he doesn't talk to Donovan that much was in response to a question posed live after I think the Scotland game, seeking Dempsey's take on Donovan's hunger, desire, etc subsequent to LD's "controversial" interview last month. So, it shouldn't be viewed in isolation.
I know. And I am so ashamed. Name the time and the place for us to meet over the chessboard, so I can cross this off my bucket list.
another possibility behind clints comment, is to remove himself from being pestered by reporters digging for dirt about donovan. sure, they probably don't hang out all the time, but they are definitely friendly with each other.
Mate in six? Seriously...are we really that far removed from real discussion topics that we have to make stuff up about the Battling Bickersons?
Can someone please photo shop a picture of Landon and Clint's wife in body paint together and then send this thread to the bottom of the page.
i think we are missing the most important thing in this entire thread. ebbro seems to be the new imapuppy as far as "oh my sweet jesus" avatars go
Do you guys hang out with EVERYBODY you work with on the weekends? I have great relationships with a lot of people at work, but I dont call them up on the weekends. As someone else stated above this is BS being BS.