All athletes get that call that they just can't play at a high enough level anymore and unfortunately for Landon Donovan today is that day. Donovan has been left off the United States 23-man roster for the 2014 World Cup.
Donovan, 32, will miss the World Cup after playing for the U.S. in the last three cups dating all the way back to 2002. Donovan had spoke recently how even he believed he wasn't the same player he once was, but after missing the World Cup cut you have to think the end is near for the once great American.
The #USMNT 2014 FIFA World Cup Roster: @j_klinsmann Names His 23. #OneNationOneTeam pic.twitter.com/UFM7YCa4Tx
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) May 22, 2014
U.S. men's coach Juregen Klinsmann said Donovan would have to earn his spot on the roster and would not be given a handout due to his history with the team. Klinsmann released a statement concerning the 23 men who did make the roster.
"It's an exciting moment when you have narrowed the roster down as a coaching staff, and these 23 players that you've chosen can focus now purely on Brazil," Klinsmann in a statement.
"We can go into more specific things about technical approaches, and about the opponents. For the players, it's very important to know that they are now part of it and they can relax and know they are on the list going to Brazil and taking it from there. After almost 10 days of work right now, we thought the point has come to make the decision.”
The national team has a few stops before they travel to Brazil, but they will be making the trip without Donovan. Donovan’s 12 World Cup matches is the most among active Americans and is the second most in United State history.
[ESPN]
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