OT: Landon Donovan

[BigErnMcCracken]

The US plays three ugly games and doesn't advance.

Good enough.

 

[intlzncster]

FWIW, here's ESPN's take:

The inside story of Jurgen Klinsmann's decision to cut Landon Donovan

Is mentality the reason for Donovan's U.S. cut?

Klinsmann elects not to gamble on aging Donovan

Klinsmann had better know what he's doing

 

[ZooCougar]

Over the past 15 years we've finished 4th at an Olympics, made the World Cup quarters once and Round of 16 once, finished 2nd in the Confederations Cup (2009) and third (1999).

The one time we failed to make the knock-out rounds at the World Cup, we still managed to get a point off of Italy - the only team in the tournament to do so as the Azzuri went on to win the title.

From 2008 through 2013, we were the only team to beat Spain in the knock-out round of ANY full international tournament. When we did so, we ended their 37-game unbeaten streak.

We have also surpassed Mexico, a top-15 team, as the No. 1 squad in the region.

So I ask you this: Haven't we already been challenging at the top level internationally?

Perhaps, but if we played in UEFA, we probably wouldn't even qualify for the WC.

 

[Danzz]

Donovan has the rep of being an ass. Have no idea if this is true but if it is it may have had something to do with getting cut along with declining skills.

 

[CallMeBruce]

Donovan has the rep of being an ass. Have no idea if this is true but if it is it may have had something to do with getting cut along with declining skills.

Donovan is an odd duck, but multiple national teamers, including Howard, have come out publicly in recent to state that Donovan is respected by his teammates and has a professional attitude. As far as I can tell, that talk was media speculation from guys who want to look like they have the inside dope.

 

[Matrim55]

Perhaps, but if we played in UEFA, we probably wouldn't even qualify for the WC.

More nonsense

Donovan is an odd duck, but multiple national teamers, including Howard, have come out publicly in recent to state that Donovan is respected by his teammates and has a professional attitude. As far as I can tell, that talk was media speculation from guys who want to look like they have the inside dope.

It was a whisper campaign from Jurgen's people, amplified by his idiot kid on twitter.

I'll say this: Landon is definitely a weirdo.. He's never going to be the guy who gets the whole room to revolve around him (worryingly, there's nobody like that on this current team. That's significant).

But he is liked and respected. He's not an out cast like Feilhaber or EJ, both of whom were dropped because they couldn't play nice in the locker room.

 

[ZooCougar]

More nonsense


It was a whisper campaign from Jurgen's people, amplified by his idiot kid on twitter.

I'll say this: Landon is definitely a weirdo.. He's never going to be the guy who gets the whole room to revolve around him (worryingly, there's nobody like that on this current team. That's significant).

But he is liked and respected. He's not an out cast like Feilhaber or EJ, both of whom were dropped because they couldn't play nice in the locker room.

Nonsense how? How do we normally fare against European sides?

I would sooner hire a dude from Tasmania to coach the NY Giants, than I would hire and American to run the USMNT right now. It's just freaking common sense.

 

[intlzncster]

Lando's take:

"I think if I'm being judged solely on what happened in camp, then I absolutely deserve to be going to Brazil," he said.