A bitter Landon Donavan criticized American World Cup coach Jurgen Klinsmenn last week following the American defeat and elimination against Belgium. Landon is perhaps the greatest player U S soccer has ever produced and played many years in the top German league. He was left off this years World Cup team is a strategized move by this German coach of the American World Cup team as getting younger players top experience is a majors priority of Mr Klinsmenn. He also picked young players that have had playing experience in Germany at a younger age and Landon has already had three World Cup experiences. In addition Landon Donovan's sped and play had dramatically decreased and being that soccer is not baseball nor NFL football where players are constantly moving this decision was good.This is a guy who knows this sport from years of being a star and playing for a top notch German team.
Landon Donavan's criticism of his coaching though is important for the sport of soccer in America. Any drama and news outside the actual playing field of this sport is good for publicity and just eating soccer exposure in America. Soccer has long been neglected to the back pages of the sports section in the newspaper and this lack of coverage and gossip in the American sports media is primarily why soccer has lagged behind the sporting interest of this continent. If Landon Donavan is that concerned about the coaching effort of the US national team he needs to get to the books and start receiving some coaching experience so some day the American team can have a head coach they do not need to imports a soccer crazy country such as Germany. H is a bitter dude having to play and showcase his talents. The MLS while the rest of the worlds football eyes are focused on the action in Brazil. Without a doubt this has to be a bitter pill for. Player of the quality and history of Landon Donavan to have to swallow and any critical views of his concerning the actions of Jurgens Klinsmenn has to be looked through this issue. Perhaps Klinsmenn should of just added Donavan to the team this year but in doing so it would lead to the exclusion of players certain to be part of the team in the next two world cups. The beauty of soccer is that players time is extremely limited and there is o entitlements to players who were stars in the past and this is something Landon Donavan will just have to deal with.
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