USMNT Training Camp: 30 to 23

Klinsmann's son tweeted, ""hahhahahahahahhhah Donovan". Stay classy Klinsmann clan

 

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Would be surprised if that tweet is legit.

 

So Donovan's cut? I guess 4 world cup appearances are too many. Not that JK even had to start him, but he has valuable WC experience that most of these newbies could only dream about. There's Beasley though, so we got that goin' for us...which is nice.

Still cannot understand that decision unless he's hurt.

As I'm going to watch the match vs. Azerbaijan on Tuesday, no need to look for Donovan. Wow.

 

I still can't believe the omission of Landon Donovan. Just baffled. He must've been "night putting" with JK's daughter.

 

:text-+1: Even if its just to vent Mo. Biggest problem is how can you talk about "competing for your spot" when this isnt the best 23 players we have today.

 

Classic quote Nev

 

I heard talk on Sirius/XM the other day and they were saying that JK said he was looking for guys who would give it their all every day. It was then said that Donovan said something like it's ok to give it your all a couple days but you need to take a break or could relax one day. Something to that effect. Wonder if he pissed JK off with that comment?

 

I'll be the first to say Donovan being cut doesn't surprise me. In fact I am more surprised by the selection of Brooks over Goodsen.

 

I have no idea about Goodsen being cut along with Donovan. I don't agree with either reduction. But, hopefully, something JK saw in camp justifies this roster.

 

its legit. he deleted it but plenty of pictures taken of the tweet and he apologized and Grant Wahl reminded us that he is a teenager. he is part of the US youth national team system and he does that shit? Kick him out, any other kid would be

 

Only makes it worse, but it was actually the fourth tier in Germany (Bundesliga -> 2. Bundesliga -> 3, Liga -> Regionalliga).

 

It matters not. It will be even more of a miracle now if we make out of the group.

 

In his twitter picture he is standing behind the USSF badge and is wearing USSF DA jersey. I say kick him out because he can go play somewhere in Germany which is apparently where up and coming young prospects need to be to make it on a national team these days anyway. Kids that play in the USSF development academy are giving up high school soccer to play there. That may not seem like a big deal on the surface but it is for a lot of kids. Since Klinsmann came in high school soccer has been outlawed and the DA now includes the U14/U13 age groups. This means thirteen year old kids are making four-year decisions to turn down thousands of $$ in private high school scholarships on the hope that they will make the academy when tryouts happen in June, 3-6 months after they had to give their decision to the school. Give his spot to one of those kids who didn't make it.

This academy thing in general is why I get so mad that Klinsmann continues to pick players that learned their soccer overseas. That is not what he was hired to do. That is what the US used to do. He took the job with the requirement that he have control over the whole show, not just the senior team. These kids bust their butts in the academy and sacrifice a lot and then a kid like Julian Green gets on the World Cup squad because Pep says he's good. It's ludicrous. Klinsmann should go find some 18 yr old in the academy to put on the roster ahead of Donovan. He should find his own talent. It's out there. Any coach can go find American citizens playing soccer in Germany. Why are we paying him four times more than any US coach in the past?

The one young German I would have brought is Boyd and Klinsmann leaves him off the roster. What are we going to do if something happens to Jozy. I want Wondo and Bacon on the roster but it you're not bringing EJ, you need Boyd.

 

Bruce Arena, as usual, sums it up perfectly.

 

Although I've not seen him play either I'm sure nepotism is at play because it is for just about any former player or coache's son at that level. There are a ton of talented players out there and that is one of the ways you separate them.

 

• Thanks Lax for the clarification on the 3 goalie rule.

• As far as the tweet goes, obviously stupid move by the kid. If you are old enough (and dumb enough) to do tweeter than you have to deal with the repercussions for said stupidity. Not sure about punishment, but the amount of embarrassment he caused himself will far surpass any suspension given to him. Mo, remember the teenage daughter of the new Browns coach disparaged Cleveland on twitter right after he got hired, sometimes kids need to learn a lesson the hard way.

• One side benefit wasn't intended; the amount of mainstream coverage this has received. It lead off Sportscenter all throughout the night. Had to go see a customer this morning and it was being talked about on sports radio. Klinnsmann's presser was just covered live on ESPN, Bretos and Twellman talked another 10-15 minutes after. Then Bob Ley had a one on one interview w/JK. So basically 45 minutes straight on the biggest sports network in the world on US Soccer. If there was no surprises, the final 23 would've barely of made a ripple.

• In hindsight the Mexico friendly exclusion should of been a red flag that Donovan was on the bubble.

• Was listening to Alexi Lalas being interviewed on the radio and he was disappointed about the exclusion mostly because even if LD couldn't start anymore (debatable) it was who would you want to come on in the 75th and make a play? Lalas did mention that the one player that could benefit from Donovan's presence not looming over his shoulder is Graham Zusi.