OT: Landon Donovan Left Off USA WC Squad

[UConnDan97]

In any event, I also said that my belief is there were other factors in play that played a bigger part in his exclusion.

I agree with this statement. Especially once you consider that Klinsmann has ALREADY welcomed him back with open arms prior to the conclusion of the WCQ.

By the way, the greatest soccer player (IMO) to ever play the game was marred with many "sabbaticals" for non-injury related issues:

 

[Waquoit]

I don't think you guys comparing LD to Rooney, Ronaldo and Maradona are helping your case.

 

[intlzncster]

I agree with this statement. Especially once you consider that Klinsmann has ALREADY welcomed him back with open arms prior to the conclusion of the WCQ.

By the way, the greatest soccer player (IMO) to ever play the game was marred with many "sabbaticals" for non-injury related issues:

Maradona could hop on our team right now! Apparently, he's been looking positively svelte of late.


/jk

 

[ZooCougar]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but your hypothetical is starting to show how little you know about soccer.

If Cristiano Ronaldo took a 3-month sabbatical, he would be back on the Portuguese national team exactly 0.8 seconds after he announced that he was ready again. If you think otherwise, you're crazy. If you think any coach would have the clout to tell Ronaldo where to stick it, then you don't understand soccer. He is a player that coaches get fired over, plain and simple...

A: Donovan is not Ronaldo.

B: Ronaldo doesn't take sabbaticals to go find himself.

 

[whaler11]

A: Donovan is not Ronaldo.

B: Ronaldo doesn't take sabbaticals to go find himself.

A: The US doesn't have 20 players better than Donovan

B: Seemingly everyone in the world realizes this except for the coach and those who blindly accept his decisions because he is the coach.

 

[UConnDan97]

Look, everyone: I like Klinsmann. I think he has done a nice job of changing our style of play over the last three years. I think that he understands tactics, and has made us a stronger side than we were prior to his arrival. But the man is not infallible. He let emotions dictate this past decision, and it's pretty clear to most everyone that is the case.

Will we still be okay in the World Cup? I hope so. I hope every move he makes works out and that we are headed to the Promised Land. I hope some of these young kids come out and light it up. But Donovan should have been on the squad. Hopefully, we can get a nice job done without him...

 

[SubbaBub]

Groin injury different than sabbatical. I watched Rooney every week. Even with the groin problem he never let up.

So if LD said he had a groin injury, you'd be OK with his time off?

As for hating america, why would you want anything but the best squad representing the good ole USA in the most important soccer tournament in the world?

Btw, your opinions aren't worth any more outside the cesspool than inside it. In both cases, it's zero.

I've watched every MNT match since 1990, advancing out of this group would be the greatest accomplishment in the history of the program and make me very happy. I think this would have been our best squad ever if LD, Goodson, and either Parkhurst or Ream were added and Brooks, Davis, and Yedlin were left at home.

 

[ZooCougar]

A: The US doesn't have 20 players better than Donovan

B: Seemingly everyone in the world realizes this except for the coach and those who blindly accept his decisions because he is the coach.

A: Edsall should have started Dennis Brown in 2005-6

B: Not a soul on the planet believed we had good QB play in that season and the season before, remember: "DJ is a gamer".

C: Donovan hasn't scored a goal in intl play since what? October? I say let him eat orange slices with his mommy in the minivan.

 

[whaler11]

A: Edsall should have started Dennis Brown in 2005-6

B: Not a soul on the planet believed we had good QB play in that season and the season before, remember: "DJ is a gamer".

C: Donovan hasn't scored a goal in intl play since what? October? I say let him eat orange slices with his mommy in the minivan.

Not that it matters in this discussion but no one can look at Dennis Brown post transfer and say.. wow we lost a good one there.

 

[rich1122]

So if LD said he had a groin injury, you'd be OK with his time off?

As for hating america, why would you want anything but the best squad representing the good ole USA in the most important soccer tournament in the world?

Btw, your opinions aren't worth any more outside the cesspool than inside it. In both cases, it's zero.

I've watched every MNT match since 1990, advancing out of this group would be the greatest accomplishment in the history of the program and make me very happy. I think this would have been our best squad ever if LD, Goodson, and either Parkhurst or Ream were added and Brooks, Davis, and Yedlin were left at home.

Probably yes. It's the best God Cup since forever. Don't underestimate them.

 

[whaler11]

A: Edsall should have started Dennis Brown in 2005-6

B: Not a soul on the planet believed we had good QB play in that season and the season before, remember: "DJ is a gamer".

C: Donovan hasn't scored a goal in intl play since what? October? I say let him eat orange slices with his mommy in the minivan.

A: Edsall should have started Dennis Brown in 2005-6

B: Not a soul on the planet believed we had good QB play in that season and the season before, remember: "DJ is a gamer".

C: Donovan hasn't scored a goal in intl play since what? October? I say let him eat orange slices with his mommy in the minivan.

You should probably find a therapist to hash out your feeling about Edsall at this point.

As for Donovan - took bad he couldn't find his second wind by hooking up with the USPS team, they could have added years to his career with their solid doping program.

 

[intlzncster]

I've watched every MNT match since 1990, advancing out of this group would be the greatest accomplishment in the history of the program and make me very happy. I think this would have been our best squad ever if LD, Goodson, and either Parkhurst or Ream were added and Brooks, Davis, and Yedlin were left at home.

We are in agreement there. Although, I'd trend more towards utterly euphoric.

 

[ZooCougar]

You should probably find a therapist to hash out your feeling about Edsall at this point.

As for Donovan - took bad he couldn't find his second wind by hooking up with the USPS team, they could have added years to his career with their solid doping program.

Too bad Landon Donoham didn't play for any NFL team, they could have hooked him up with any steroid or painkiller thus negating the need for a sabbatical.

Did a bunch of cyclists bang your wife or something?

 

[ZooCougar]

Not that it matters in this discussion but no one can look at Dennis Brown post transfer and say.. wow we lost a good one there.

Still doesn't mean he was worse than DJ and Bones. Yes, they were that bad.

 

[whaler11]

Still doesn't mean he was worse than DJ and Bones. Yes, they were that bad.

Against anyone except Rutgers I think he was actually worse than those two.

 

[whaler11]

Too bad Landon Donoham didn't play for any NFL team, they could have hooked him up with any steroid or painkiller thus negating the need for a sabbatical.

Did a bunch of cyclists bang your wife or something?

It's funny I was going to ask if Edsall banged your wife but I deleted it. I think we are running out of jokes.

 

[CTpessimist]

A: The US doesn't have 20 players better than Donovan

B: Seemingly everyone in the world realizes this except for the coach and those who blindly accept his decisions because he is the coach.

Us doesn't need 20 players better than LD. He plays a specific position. We need 4-5 and from a fitness perspective we seem to have that. And IMO LD can't create his own shot while the greats on other international teams can. I don't remember too many LD blasts from outside the box catching the goalie by surprise.

 

[John]

Gotta say that I really love this soccer related thread, lots of good dialog. It's a great game, unfortunately I'm still learning it (son plays at U14 level) so I can't really comment, but it's fun to read about it.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

I think this boils down to is 1) LD's sabbatical was a questionable move, 2) LD is not the player he was before due to age and maybe burnout, 3) even so, LD at 66% is still likely one of the top 23 US players, so 4) we hope that Klinsman made the decision based on LD's fitness and or how he fits into the team and 6) not a personality clash between LD and Klinsman and 7) this decision will be under the microscope on the Cup kicks off and Klimsman will be praised as a genius if the US gets out of group play and will be shredded if not whether or not LD's inclusion would have impacted the US team's fate in the group of death.

PS - If the US advances out of Group G, they will face the first or second place team from Group H (Belgium, Russia, Algeria, S Korea). Belgium is scary but unproven. Algeria and S Korea should not be underestimated. Russia has skill; but, was lucky to make the Cup. Not a bad chance for the US. If the US advanced to the Final 8 as the first place team out of Group G, the US would play the winner of Group E (Switzerland?) against the second place team out of Group F (Nigeria?), again, winnable, though Switzerland is a solid technical team; but, may have issues playing in Brazil. If the US advances as the second place team out of Group G (a more likely scenario), the US likely has to deal with Argentina (likely Group F winner). Not a good match-up. Still, I would want the US to win just to shut Maradona up. Hope the refs have learned what an offside call is by then. Losing to Argentina in the quarterfinals would have to be considered a good result for the US.

 

[intlzncster]

Gotta say that I really love this soccer related thread, lots of good dialog. It's a great game, unfortunately I'm still learning it (son plays at U14 level) so I can't really comment, but it's fun to read about it.

Don't worry, it's exactly like all the other sports. Everybody thinks they're an expert, the HC is an idiot with so and so decision, the recruiting tactics are terrible, and the team permanently sucks if they lose. It should be quite familiar. Chime in anytime.

 

[UConnDan97]

Gotta say that I really love this soccer related thread, lots of good dialog. It's a great game, unfortunately I'm still learning it (son plays at U14 level) so I can't really comment, but it's fun to read about it.

It's a good day for American soccer when people can battle about the national team roster selection on a college football board (in the off-season). In terms of the health of the sport, it means that "we're getting there"...

 

[intlzncster]

I think this boils down to is 1) LD's sabbatical was a questionable move, 2) LD is not the player he was before due to age and maybe burnout, 3) even so, LD at 66% is still likely one of the top 23 US players, so 4) we hope that Klinsman made the decision based on LD's fitness and or how he fits into the team and 6) not a personality clash between LD and Klinsman and 7) this decision will be under the microscope on the Cup kicks off and Klimsman will be praised as a genius if the US gets out of group play and will be shredded if not whether or not LD's inclusion would have impacted the US team's fate in the group of death.

PS - If the US advances out of Group G, they will face the first or second place team from Group H (Belgium, Russia, Algeria, S Korea). Belgium is scary but unproven. Algeria and S Korea should not be underestimated. Russia has skill; but, was lucky to make the Cup. Not a bad chance for the US. If the US advanced to the Final 8 as the first place team out of Group G, the US would play the winner of Group E (Switzerland?) against the second place team out of Group F (Nigeria?), again, winnable, though Switzerland is a solid technical team; but, may have issues playing in Brazil. If the US advances as the second place team out of Group G (a more likely scenario), the US likely has to deal with Argentina (likely Group F winner). Not a good match-up. Still, I would want the US to win just to shut Maradona up. Hope the refs have learned what an offside call is by then. Losing to Argentina in the quarterfinals would have to be considered a good result for the US.

Agree with most, but losing to Argentina in the qtrs would be considered an otherworldly result for the US, given what it would take to get there (the talent of the opening group).

Also, I think personality clash between JK and LD is definitely a piece of the puzzle, not the whole thing, but a piece. As usual, I doubt it's an all or nothing situation with all of your points regarding the choice.

 

[whaler11]

Don't worry, it's exactly like all the other sports. Everybody thinks they're an expert, the HC is an idiot with so and so decision, the recruiting tactics are terrible, and the team permanently sucks if they lose. It should be quite familiar. Chime in anytime.

Coaches are infallable so it makes sense to not have any opinion other than 'they know best'. I know Pasqualoni proved that the last three years.

 

[ZooCougar]

It's funny I was going to ask if Edsall banged your wife but I deleted it. I think we are running out of jokes.

I hope you enjoy antagonizing me as much as I enjoy antagonizing you!

 

[ZooCougar]

It's a good day for American soccer when people can battle about the national team roster selection on a college football board (in the off-season). In terms of the health of the sport, it means that "we're getting there"...

Agreed. I also agree with JK.

 

[ZooCougar]

Coaches are infallable so it makes sense to not have any opinion other than 'they know best'. I know Pasqualoni proved that the last three years.

JK, is not PGDL. He's built up enough equity to justify this omission.

I wouldn't be surprised if someone gets hurt or sick in the next few days and that he gets the call up anyways.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Agree with most, but losing to Argentina in the qtrs would be considered an otherworldly result for the US, given what it would take to get there (the talent of the opening group).

Also, I think personality clash between JK and LD is definitely a piece of the puzzle, not the whole thing, but a piece. As usual, I doubt it's an all or nothing situation with all of your points regarding the choice.

I agree, the decision on LD was likely the result of several factors, including fitness and personality. Guess we will all see if Klimsman was right or wrong in the next month or so.

 

[whaler11]

I hope you enjoy antagonizing me as much as I enjoy antagonizing you!

I don't think either of us is actually antagonized.

 

[whaler11]

JK, is not PGDL. He's built up enough equity to justify this omission.

I wouldn't be surprised if someone gets hurt or sick in the next few days and that he gets the call up anyways.

Obviously he's not PP. And I fully admit I'm not an expert. This one just looks personal and one doesn't need to be a tactical expert to get that.

It probably doesn't matter either way - the group is brutal and with or without him it's quite a mountain to climb.

 

[Carl Spackler]

Probably because you hate America

Today's coffee spit moment. Nice.