World Cup Qualifying: Klinsmann Ignoring Donovan Is Short-Sighted and Stubborn

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: May 17, 2013

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Jurgen Klinsmann is playing a dangerous game with his latest roster of U.S. national team call-ups. If Klinsmann doesn't get the results needed in the next trio of World Cup qualifiers, everything—Klinsmann's entire tenure as manager—will hinge on one decision.

Why is Landon Donovan not in camp?

It's one thing to leave Donovan off the list of players for the next round of World Cup qualifiers because you think he isn't fit. It is entirely another thing to not include one of the greatest players in American soccer history out of stubbornness and spite.

Look at the players Klinsmann chose in the midfield instead of Donovan. The list is less than inspiring: Michael Bradley, Joe Corona, Brad Davis, Maurice Edu, Stuart Holden, Jermaine Jones, Sacha Kljestan, Brek Shea, Danny Williams and Graham Zusi.

Who on that list can do more to help the USMNT qualify for the World Cup more than Donovan? Bradley. That's it. Maybe Jones if he's healthy. 

Certainly a few players on the list don't play the same role as Landon, but some of the midfielders named make it obvious what Klinsmann is trying to do.



Sadly, in an effort to make his team less about Donovan, Klinsmann only served to make the conversation surrounding this team more about Donovan. 

It was fine to leave Donovan off the roster if Klinsmann didn't think he could help. Seeing the players he picked over Donovan makes the motivations more obvious: Klinsmann is trying to punish Donovan for taking time off this winter, even if it means hurting the USMNT's chances of qualifying for the World Cup in the process.

Not only is Donovan one of the best players in the history of American soccer, he seems to be quickly coming back into form after his lengthy personal hiatus from the game. Donovan admitted to seriously contemplating retirement, but he seems rejuvenated and back to his old self with Los Angeles...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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