Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com
BY ADAM SERRANO
Landon Donovan knows all too well how important playing in the World Cup is. Though he is slated to play in his third World Cup, the U.S. national team star still doesn't take the selection for granted, and realizes just what it means for those chosen, and those not chosen.
For that reason, Donovan can understand the reaction from both fans and Charlie Davies over Davies' exclusion from the provisional U.S. World Cup roster. Donovan makes it clear that as saddening as the decision was, it was the decision the team had to make.
"It's an easy thing to say, 'oh gosh, he should have been there', but our medical staff and our coaches spend more hours then anyone will ever know evaluating players so if they made the decision that he's not ready then he's not ready," said Donovan. "It's a bitter pill to swallow, and we love Charlie, no one wants him on the team more than I do, but the reality is that if you're not ready, this a World Cup and you need to have guys who are ready."
While Davies' World Cup dream is over, the forward line will be bolstered by a pair of forwards that Donovan has played with before, Edson Buddle and Herculez Gomez. The strikers have forced their way into the National Team picture by leading their respective leagues in scoring, form Donovan believes makes them great candidates to help the team.
"I've always said that I've been for bringing guys who are in form," said Donovan. "If it's talent versus who is in form, then I want the guy who is performing, and they are both guys that have done well and they deserve it."
The inclusion of Buddle and Gomez for the Princeton camp has raised some red flags as the forwards have spent little to no time with the core pool during the World Cup cycle. While a majority of those included in the 30-man roster have spent a considerable amount of time with the team, the inclusion of new players could damage the chemistry of a close knit squad. Donovan doesn't see that being an issue.
"Other teams it might, but with our team it doesn't. Our team runs and monitors itself so we won't let that happen," said Donovan. "There's going to be some competition for spots, but once the 23 are named, that is our team and we're going to make sure that we come together and bond like a team."
With the attention about to turn to the World Cup, Donovan prepares to leave a Galaxy team that is firing on all cylinders. The Galaxy is in the midst of an undefeated run that has taken LA to the top of league table with a record of 7-0-1. Central to the club's rise has been the play of Buddle and Donovan, the respective MLS goal and assist leaders.
Although the offensive stars have gained accolades, the defense has been sound, surrendering only two goals all season. Donovan understands that the defense has been just as integral in leading the Galaxy to an unbeaten record.
"I've always believed in any team that when the team does well defensively, it's not just the defenders and the goalkeeper, but the effort of the entire team as a whole," said Donovan. "In the moments when the midfielders have slipped up, our the defenders have stepped up and done a good job, and then when you get by our defenders and create a chance for yourself, Donovan (Ricketts) has stopped everything that comes his way so you put all together and it makes for a great team."
Despite the early success, the Galaxy is considered by many to be the team that will suffer the most due to the World Cup with Donovan and potentially Buddle away on National Team duty. That, coupled with the absence of the injured David Beckham, could leave the Galaxy a bit thin, but Donovan doesn't sound too worried.
"The beauty of our team and what Bruce has done, is that he's built the team very deep," said Donovan. "Any other team in MLS, if you took their top three offensive players away then I don't think they would win a game. Our team is going to be okay, we're not going to be what they were with all of us around, but our team is going to be okay."
Following Saturday's match against Toronto FC, Donovan will turn his attention to the camp and then South Africa. As the nation begins to focus on the United States' date with England, Donovan believes that the national team will be ready.
"We've got the guys that compete as well as anyone in the world," said Donovan. "And on June 12th, we're just going to give it a go."
CD 9 No one in the world will be more motivated for WC 2014!!!
Could you define a “natural left back ” for me?
Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge, two England left backsare converted midfielders. I could go on and on but I’d appreciate an answer.
Agreed. Even if he were fit enough to begin training with the national team, he hasn’t played for almost a year. To be frank, I do not think any other country would be having this debate, unless the player was Wayne Rooney or of a similar stature. Form, especially for strikers, is essential when selecting a world cup squad.
Short form #2: Tab Ramos
Short form #3: Rafa Marquez spiking Tim Howard in Columbus, February 2009
International soccer is full of injuries with intent. To suggest otherwise is to suggest you’ve never watched it.
Charlie is the only guy who thinks Charlie is ready. Not his team, not his national team, no one. He ain’t ready. Give it a rest guys.
Better idea: Writers should change their first names to “Ives.” Sorta like George Foreman’s kids. Not that I’m saying *they* should change their first names to “Ives” . . .
‘not a ton of skill’ – and you want him on the national team in 2014?
Only 6 defenders and no natural left backs? Say what you want about Bornstein, but he’s the best natural LB we got. Personally, I prefer a back line of Boca-DeMerit-Gooch-Spector, but Bornstein is coming. Without a doubt.
Ching is making the roster, as long as he’s healthy. That’s a fact. Buddle, EJ and Gomez are battling for 2 spots, maybe even 1 if Bob moves Deuce up top and decides to an extra midfielder (Beasley/Bedoya) or an extra defender (Pearce.
Are you really trying to argue this? The Galaxy are by far the deepest team in the league.
Look what happened on the backline. Berhalter was injured to start the season. Leonardo did fine in his place for a few games. Franklin started at right back then Bruce decided to push him up to right mid and put DeLaGarza at right back. Then Leonardo got hurt and DeLaGarza filled in at CB for a game, and Franklin moved back to right back. Berhalter came back, and Franklin got hurt. DeLaGarza manned the right back spot and Stephens has been playing at right mid since then.
Not to mention David Beckham is out. Eddie Lewis hasn’t played at all. Dema Kovalenko has been hurt. Mike Magee has been hurt. Alan Gordon was hurt to start the season as well.
Amen, i said “AMEN!”
Ching’s a top 20 all-time scorer for the U.S.
Well, he WAS Golden Boot at the U-20s a couple years prior, and continued his “goal-a-game” productivity as a senior until his toe exploded.
That’s some solid hindsight by you, though
Arena’s been great for LA. he should coach the NATs team ;0)
This is My 23 Man Roster for the USMNT:
Goalkeepers: (3)
Tim Howard, Marcus Hahnemann, Brad Guzan
Defenders: (6)
Jonathan Spector, Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Steve Cherundolo, Jay Demerit, Clarence Goodson
Midfielders: (10)
Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Stuart Holden, Maurice Edu, Ricardo Clark, Jose F Torres, Benny Feilhaber, Alejandro Bedoya, DaMarcus Beasley
Forwards: (4)
Jozy Altidore, Herculez Gomez, Edson Buddle, Eddie Johnson
I left out Bornstein and added an extra Midfielder which is DaMarcus Beasley because Borstein just makes too many mistakes on defense. Besides, Edu can play defense as a center back if the USA team needs to make that option. As for the Forward spot yes I picked Johnson over Ching because Johnson has been playing in a better league, he has been playing in important games, he is a younger player, and a faster player than Ching, many people just like Ching because he is a veteran player but other than that he is just getting older and to me he hasn’t really prove much than just playing in the MLS.
as much as I’d like to see CD9 in SA, this post earns a “tell em”
Is someone going to lay him out in the middle of penalty area?
===
Short form: Brian McBride.
Long form: How many players have you seen catch errant heads or elbows on set pieces?
For someone with a TBI, such an incident would be bad news.
I say: AMEN!
There is a reason why some posters are not journalists.
“The beauty of our team and what Bruce has done, is that he’s built the team very deep,” said Donovan. “Any other team in MLS, if you took their top three offensive players away then I don’t think they would win a game. Our team is going to be okay, we’re not going to be what they were with all of us around, but our team is going to be okay.”
+++++++++++++++
Uh, Columbus won all their games last year when Schelotto was out hurt. 🙂
Take out GBS, Lenhart, and Rogers, and in come Ekpo (Olympic medalist), Garey (Hermann Trophy winner), and Emelio Renteria (Venezeulan Nat’l Team). It ain’t exactly Essien and Deco coming on for Ballack and Lampard, but by MLS standards, it’s not half bad.
Can I get an Amen for my brother?
@pancoloma What are you talking about clean his clock????? This is soccer or futbol we are talking about not American football. Is someone going to lay him out in the middle of penalty area? Well see how it works out when we need a spark off the bench and could use Davies instead we got Buddle and Johnson coming to try and score. Sochaux is at fault lets be real!
I’ve never heard that directly from Bradley. Can we get a link or quote?
GO USA
Also – I cannot emphasize enough……….
Regarding the young man from Manchester, NH, who was a HS All-American at Brooks Academy, who was a college All-American at Boston College, who tore up the Swedish first division, who has already won our hearts – who is a very talented young man…………look at the pictures of the SUV, it was split in half!!!! Please read the articles detailing all of his injuries…….he had cranio-facial fractures, and cerebral hemorrhages, AS WELL as broken arm, broken leg (femur, the big bone in the thigh), lacerated and perforated bladder, – he suffered a brain concussion – one of his legs is full of Titanium and surgical steel…….it would be CRIMINAL to subject him to that level of competition, and risk his entire career, risks re-injury of his brain or his physical body at this early point in his recovery – these are not opinions or personal bias on the part of coaches or medical and training staff, these are medical facts. FACTS!
Google the “Prague Protocols” if you want to research international sports ruling body’s medical responsibilities in regards to evaluating head injuries,and player’s readiness to return to full contact training.
Moving a soccer ball with your feet (and thighs, and knees and chest, and head) is a subtle art. It requires very finely tuned reflexes, and the balance of a prima ballerina – he is not ready to return.
If not for other reasons – because the risk of reinjury to his brain right now is such that it could be devastating, and career ending to be exposed to that level of physical abuse. And if you have played and watched the game you know that he would be a marked man out on the field and any team we played would be looking to clean his clock, ring his bell, blow out his candle and reinjure him to take him out of the equation.
Do you understand?
Bradley had cojones of steel to make that decision, and to accept and equally share the responsibilty for the decision with Charlie’s French team, Sochaux.
Support our team or stuff a sock in your mouth.
Yeah – or Ike Opara, or Tony Tchani, or Juan Agudelo, or Andre Akpan, or ? , ? , ?…….
…….fortune is blind god – but she does tend to favor those who take the field well prepared.
You are smoking chronic.
Deluded.
Quoting CommunicationBreakdown – quoting Bradley:
“Charlie has shown incredible heart and determination to reach this point in his recovery. We have followed his progress extensively during the past several months through physical examinations and personal observation by our staff, and he remained in consideration for this training camp until yesterday. FC Sochaux notified us that at this point Charlie has not been given medical clearance, and that they would not grant his full release to join the camp. Given that status and our own evaluation of his progress, we feel it is Charlie’s best interest to continue his rehabilitation and focus on getting fully prepared to resume his professional and international career.”
Note that at the end he talks about “our own evaluation of his progress”.
Now where in that statement does he say that he and his staff had no part in the final medical decision?
Bradley didn’t cop out. He did speak out. Did you hear?
Smoke some of that mister. Don’t tread on me.
Thank you.
Tell it like it is, brother.
Lines are white, grass is green, and notice the preponderance of 90 degree right-angles.
The object of our attention is a sphere.
There is a big circle in the very center of the playing field, it is a perfect circle, and in the center of that circle there is a little white spot….
You’re preachin to the choir. I love Steven Lenhart!
Bradley did talk to Davies. Bradley himself said that USMNT medical staff constantly assessed Davies. I love when people post things that make it seem like the USMNT set up is run like a rec league by Coach Bradley.
I am growing tired of the constant bashing of Coach Bradley. I read comments like he doesn’t set up teams to play or that our team plays scared (Rather than understanding the tactical defense Bradley sets up. We all praise Mourinho tactics against Barcalona but Bradley gets accused of playing scared). Or claim Coach Bradley dislikes Hispanic people because Torres doesn’t start (When Torres outing against the Netherlands left plenty to be desired and Edu brought composure. May I remind you that we nearly conceded any chances against the Netherlands for a half).
All I am saying is at some point we need to give Coach Bradley credit. He has swayed me. Our teams are tactically composed and have competed against elite teams. Heck, we have beat some. Bradley has won us the important Gold Cup, got the final of another, the final of the Confederations Cup, and won our WCQ group. What more can we want at this point? I say let rally around him and hope for the best -but I guess that would mean we aren’t good ol’ fans who love nothing better than a session of “hatin’.”
You don’t have any basis for saying that.
Read Bob’s statement on the USSF website.
Sochuax and Bradley both agree that Charlie isn’t ready. If you read the statement you will see that it was a joint decision as it should be. Sochaux is Charlie’s employer and classy people respect that fact. You should know that the US fitness coach Pierre Barrieu, is extrememly well respected and this will be his third World Cup. So he should know better than you or I.
If Steven Lenhart can stay on course and learn to play a little more in control, he might be right up there with them in 2014. Not a ton of skill, but the guy is fearless just has a nose for the goal.
Max,
Here is what Bradley said:
“Charlie has shown incredible heart and determination to reach this point in his recovery. We have followed his progress extensively during the past several months through physical examinations and personal observation by our staff, and he remained in consideration for this training camp until yesterday. FC Sochaux notified us that at this point Charlie has not been given medical clearance, and that they would not grant his full release to join the camp. Given that status and our own evaluation of his progress, we feel it is Charlie’s best interest to continue his rehabilitation and focus on getting fully prepared to resume his professional and international career.”
Note that at the end he talks about “our own evaluation of his progress”.
Now where in that statement does he say that he and his staff had no part in the final medical decision?
Bradley didn’t cop out. He did speak out. Did you hear?
I believe it was in a Studio 90 video at the start of Germany 2006, when asked about Eddie Johnson, Donovan quietly, confidently replied that “Eddie had a chance to be the tournament’s top scorer…”
It’s one thing to support teammates, but I’ll never forget the absurdity of that prediction.
Need to be submitted to FIFA the latest 6/1/10 and that’s probabaly most or all of the countries/coaches will wait to do so.
Meh, they know who I’m talking about.
I’m headed to the game to send the boys off proper. Can’t wait!!
Com’on man, Ives is great but people got to start checking who is writer.
why are you trying to fit the narrative to your pre-existing prejudice against Bob Bradley. Do you honestly believe that he’d rather take a Gomez or a Buddle to the World Cup if he thought Charlie would be good to go?
If you don’t like Bradley just say so, but you have no real case here…
It’s not like Charlie would be taking Bornstein, Beasley, or Klestjan’s place- BB haters or not we can agree these players get playing time often regardless of form….
Cut Bradley some slack on this one… he knows better than you do what condition Charlie is in today and his trainers having spent thousands of hours evaluating players know what kind of condition he’ll be in a month from now…
at least Brazil 2014 will have perhaps our most potent selection of forwards ever with Jozy and Davies coming into their prime.
There is a quiet confidence in LD. I like that. Anyone else?
Another area where Donovan and Bradley have a different view point,
Donovan,
“I’ve always said that I been for bringing guys who are in form,” said Donovan. “If its talent versus who is in form, then I want the guy who is preforming…”
Bradley,
says he may give more weight to those who get along over form.
useful blog post, Ives. Thanks!
do you know for sure that BB didn’t talk to Charlie? It’s not BB’s fault. Give the guy the benefit of the doubt…
Bradley copped out and tried to blame Davies club team. That he didn’t have a candid conversation with Charlie is disappointing. Cheating Bob is as classy as ever.
by June 1st, that’s when they have to be submitted to FIFA
Donovan, “… but our medical staff and our coaches spend more hours then anyone will ever know evaluating players so if they made the decision that he’s not ready then he’s not ready,” said Donovan.”
Part of the fan reaction and confusion was because Bradley’s statement made it appear that he and his medical staff had no part in the final medical decision. Why didn’t he speak out?
after all the friendlies I think, right?
come on man, it’s friday, he wanted to get out of the office asap to get to happy hour…
what are you referring to anyway?
When are the final 23 selected?
I just want to say, GO USA!!