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USA! USA! - Donovan...

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  • USA! USA! - Donovan...

    The entire Donovan saga says so much more about our culture and values than it does about Klinsmann’s contribution to the USMNT. Reading all these comments about how dropping Donovan is illegal/immoral/fattening and offensive to our values as a 2nd rate soccer nation would be amusing if there weren’t so many of these misguided but well-intentioned fans from the top of the soccer food chain to bottom. Is the World Cup purely entertainment or are we actually trying to win the thing? We as a soccer nation still have so far to go. Kent – You’re right, he doesn’t trust the American mentality, because our players have a low soccer IQ.

    Top academy programs in Europe have players that develop a sharp soccer brain. We don’t have that in the US, our players don’t exhibit it, and unless they get to European clubs at a young age, will never truly develop it.

    Roland – your romanticization of Donovan is patriotic but you are blind to the cutthroat nature of the sport and what is needed to excel at the highest levels. The fact that you are identifying USMNT players as “unknown foreigners” and “alien” is xenophobic. I thought we had moved beyond that sort of characterization but Spain and Italy don’t seem to be the only countries still battling the darker impulses of human nature. BTW, John Madden said “winning’s the great deodorant” and I tend to agree. If we can manage to get out of the group stage no one will care that LD wasn’t there.

    Lauren – I too love everything that LD has done for our country and this sport, but time is a thief. In the same way that we do not notice our kids growing older day by day, we do not compare Donovan’s performance now to what it once was. I believe Donovan’s dismissal was handled disrespectfully, but the decision was sound.

    Peter – Jones is an enforcer. He’s grumpy, and I’m thrilled he’s on our team protecting 5’7” Julian Green. I don’t know if you recall, but we certainly could have used a Jones in 1994 when Leonardo hospitalized Ramos (our most creative player). Yes, those Brazilians will do anything to win and perhaps we should remember that assault every time we line up against them. It appears that having an enforcer on the pitch offends many of your delicate sensibilities and sense of fair play. This isn’t youth soccer. Perhaps you can explain to your kids how Tab Ramos spent 3 weeks in the hospital because Brazil failed to play nicely.

    http://www.socceramerica.com/article...g-donovan.html
    Last edited by Karl; May 26, 2014, 10:55 PM.
    "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

  • #2
    Usa! Usa!

    Ginger Peeler
    commented on: May 25, 2014 at 8:17 p.m.

    I had my doubts about Klinsman until we won 10 games in a row using a lot of different players; when we didn't start almost every game a goal down, when we came from behind and won some games! We were starting to play soccer that was fun to watch (it's almost always fun when you're winning).

    After Bob Bradley brought Freddy Adu in when Jozie was hurt, and Freddy played lights out, I figured Klinsman would have to bring him in. I don't think it ever happened.

    When Klinsman took over the coaching reins, I looked forward to seeing the dynamic duo, Donovan and Dempsey playing on the field together. But fate was against them as one and then the other was injured or unable to join the teams for some reason. I did finally see them play together recently and they did nothing special at all. I'm disappointed they won't be making that connection in Brazil.

    I'm disappointed that Joe Corona didn't make the final cut, but I knew he was on the bubble.

    I have seen Jermaine Jones play one excellent game for the U.S. He kept his play clean and did very well for us until he went off the field with a possible concussion.

    I once had the privilege of watching two young guys having fun on the soccer field during the World Cup...Donovan and Beasley. Coach Arena called Beasley "Gumby" because he'd fall and bounce right back up. Now we've got some more young players. May they enjoy the game and play to the best of their abilities as those two young guys did before them.

    We have (and have had) very little chance of getting past the Group of Death. Yet, Klinsman has surprised me with his successes. He sees things we don't see.

    While I may mourn the absence of Freddy, Landon and Joe, I will back the chosen team with all my hopes and good wishes. And good wishes, too, to the others who didn't make the final cut. May they take pride in knowing that they are among the very best people to play for our country. And if LD plays tonight, he's going to get a long standing ovation.

    http://www.socceramerica.com/article...g-donovan.html
    Last edited by Karl; May 26, 2014, 10:53 PM.
    "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

    Comment


    • #3
      How Jurgen Klinsmann’s World Cup Squad Decisions Mirror...

      It’s not just Landon Donovan’s exclusion from the US 23-man squad for Brazil that should make people take notice. It’s far deeper than that. Jurgen Klinsmann is taking his formula from years gone by and updating it, just wearing different colors. In order to understand this US roster, we must first look back at Germany’s from 2006 because a close examination will make nothing released today seem surprising.

      Read more at http://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/05/2...7863amiq3LV.99

      http://bleacherreport.com/tb/dd9hk?u...=united-states
      "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

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