Landon Donovan has withdrawn from the U.S. men's national team ahead of Friday's friendly vs. France to focus on the MLS Cup Final, U.S. Soccer announced on Monday.
Donovan had been named to the 22-man U.S. roster for upcoming friendlies against France and Slovenia, and originally he would have taken part in just the France friendly before returning to the LA Galaxy to focus on the MLS Cup Final, but Donovan and U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann
"The plan was to have Landon come in for the match against France and then return to the LA Galaxy in preparation for MLS Cup, but after further discussion Landon expressed his desire to stay in Los Angeles," said Klinsmann. "While my preference was to have Landon with us for this important match, I respect his decision.
"I'm very happy with the progress this team is making and the commitment they have shown in each and every camp. We look forward to the challenge of the next two games."
No roster replacement will be added to the U.S. roster for the upcoming friendlies.
euroscum
It’s a new era in MLS…Not the same competition as 7 years ago
That makes no sense. Benny is playing in MLS now and Bedoya isn’t playing for Rangers. Sasha, meanwhile, is starting every game for Anderlecht.
And no, I don’t hate Benny or Bedoya. I’m a big fan of each. But to think they deserve a call up over Sasha isn’t fair.
Seems like the perfect time to call is Sasha who is literally one border away from France.
You know Landycakes already has two MLS Cups, right? Perhaps you meant “another MLS Cup”.
Did we get new kits?
You nailed it, Metalteeth.
The tl;dr version:
I disagree for a lot of rational reasons.
The thing is, Sacha fits Klinsmann’s system better than Bradley’s (please spare me the “he hasn’t decided on a system” arguments). He’s a creator and distributor. Also, his last appearance was against Costa Rica (under Klinsmann), coming on 1 minute after the goal. He performed well the rest of that game.
Plus, he’s playing at a much higher level than he did when he first started earning caps. You can’t call a guy like that who has yet to peak and is only 26 a “fringe” player. You call a guy like Robbie Rogers–who has only become more mediocre with time, plays for a mediocre team, and has not shown anything in a US uniform–a fringe player.
I realize the roster has a lot of mids, but not many creative ones who aren’t injured. If Dempsey gets hurt, I don’t trust Edu, Beckerman, Bradley or Jones to create. Williams is capable of that role, but he’s untested.
Don’t get me wrong…I appreciate the Morales call up. Even though it won’t cap tie him, he will at least build some camaraderie with the guys and it may sway his eventual decision. Plus, he’ll now have to file paperwork to switch allegiance.
That said, it’s pretty crappy when Klinsmann says to the players: get minutes and work hard to make the squad, then calls in a reserve teamer for Hertha over a hard-working guy going the full 90 week in and week out with a league leading squad.
And gay…
-100
evidently, but it still begs the question: why not invite Sacha in and check him out personally! The guy is playing 90 minutes a game on a contending club…thought that was supposed to mean something to the new regime.
Instead, all we’re learning is Coach says what he wants to say to justify what he wants to do whether it’s consistent or not.
No problem. Message received.
Please win.
exactly
:sigh: So we STILL don’t get to see Dempsey and Donovan on the field together in JK’s 4-3-3…
He wanted to be in dancing with the stars last night.
Agree, does not seem real smart not to call in a replacement. But the wording on the US Soccer press release is: “No replacement will be named at this time.” That leaves the door open for one of the guys from the U-23 camp to be called in, just a 60-minute flight to Paris. But whoever might get the nod would have to come later today or Wednesday to get in practice time with the team before Friday.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2011/04/20/the-worlds-highest-paid-soccer-players/
The difference, Sascha seems to play a role where JK think we have a lot of depth at, the suppose cam or box to box midfielder. While Beckerman plays defensive mid, a position where there is only 2 other player competing with him D. William and now Morales.
You *do* know that LD *was* recently injured… right? It’s not an “excuse.” He pulled a quad, from what we’ve been told and you can see his pace and gait be a little off as a result.
To go to France and play a fifth game in under two weeks, three of those only three days apart – with little time for recovery or healing – is not a smart move for Donovan the Player, let alone Donovan the Teammate.
So Donovan misses out on a great opponent. He’ll spend the time getting healthier in pursuit of a title he’s been chasing for years. And who knows after that – perhaps a loan back to Europe for the winter. And, of course, there are always other friendlies.
So… if we lose to France this week, the thought won’t even enter my mind to blame Donovan or accuse him of being selfish. He’s doing right by himself and I can respect that.
Sorry, but Klinsi added several folks to the U-23 camp as soon as their MLS season came to an end… don’t see why he couldn’t do it for the senior side as well. Why the rush to name both Donovan and Beckerman to the squad knowing full well that one of them was going to have a very big game on the 20th?
Also to note, had Donovan gone to France and then to Slovenia, MLS Cup would have been his sixth game in three weeks with four of those days being for travel of over 18,000 miles.
“…something more than a fringe player which is is all Sacha has ever been for the US.”
Folks said that for years re: Beckerman. “A solid B-teamer,” I used to think. But he’s getting plenty of love from Klinsi nowadays, doing many things in the d-mid that Sacha does in the attack.
Hater! The fewer people like you, the better the National Team will be in the long run!
“Plus, one who has shown a definite positive impact in his last USMNT appearances.”
That was under a different regime and system. It’s a new world now.
I like Sacha but Morales has a chance to be something more than a fringe player which is is all Sacha has ever been for the US.
And there is a very good chance it is all he will ever be.
Perhaps JK has decided to move on.
+1
I think a few of us knew LD wasn’t going to France for the game. Either some injury excuse or just simply flat out say I want to finish the MLS season knowing I’m somewhat healthy was coming.
The real cup is France vs U.S on Friday…. The french players payroll is worth more than the whole MLS league put together.lol… C’mon LD, it’s Francia in France, can’t beat that.
I don’t care for the Galaxy or any other team. I watch MLS for the product. 🙂
The last sentence of the story states:
“No roster replacement will be added to the U.S. roster for the upcoming friendlies”
My questions is why not?
Seems like a waste to not use it on someone (Sasha, Benny F., Adu, etc.)
What’s the weather forcast? 98 degrees? Oh I giive up!
Fail