Landon Donovan Left Off USA Team for World Cup

Photo Courtesy: lagalaxy.com

By Francisco Romero

The United States Mens’s National Soccer Team Manager, Jurgen Klinsmann, revealed the names of the 23 players who will be making the trek to Brazil for the World Cup and Landon Donovan’s name was nowhere to be found.

Donovan was left off the 23 men roster and will miss out on participating in his fourth World Cup.

After the news was made official, social media sites lit up wondering why Donovan was left off the team. Donovan also used social media to address his fans with the following statement through facebook:

To my fans,

It has been an honor and privilege to have represented the US National Team in three World Cups. I was looking forward to playing in Brazil and, as you can imagine, I am very disappointed with today’s decision. Regardless, I will be cheering on my friends and teammates this summer, and I remain committed to helping grow soccer in the US in the years to come.

Thanks for all your support,

Landon

Donovan’s first World Cup appearance was in 2002 and has been the face of the US team ever since then.

Klinsmann had hinted in the past that Donovan did not have a guaranteed position in the squad. Donovan had also mentioned that his body was not responding the same as it once did.

Donovan, 32, has appeared in 156 international games for the U.S.A. squad scoring 57 goals, he has also appeared in 12 World Cup games, making him the player with most games played in World Cups.

The following is the list of players who will represent the United States:

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan, Tim Howard, Nick Rimando

Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley, Matt Besler, John Brooks, Geoff Cameron, Timmy Chandler, Omar Gonzalez, Fabian Johnson, DeAndre Yedlin

Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman, Alejandro Bedoya, Michael Bradley, Brad Davis, Mix Diskerud, Julian Green, Jermaine Jones, Graham Zusi

Forwards: Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Aron Johannsson, Chris Wondolowski