Thursday, May 22, 2014

US Mens National Team World Cup Roster

Disbelief. Yes, US Men's Soccer fans, disbelief is the emotion of the moment. Juergen Klinsman announced his 23 man roster for the 2014 World Cup next month in Brazil. Here's how it breaks down:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (8): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

Anyone else see a glaring omission? There has to be a mistake! What in the world is Juergen thinking?

In case it didn't slap you across the face (or you didn't this trending on Twitter), Landon Donovan was left off the roster! Let me repeat that, LANDON DONOVAN WAS LEFT OFF THE ROSTER! Perhaps one of the most influential players in the past decade for the men's team has been left off. His goal in the first round against Algeria in the 2010 World Cup saved the US from exiting the tournament early and actually got them to the top of the group. Arguably one of the best players on the team has been left off the roster.

Who should have been left home instead of Landon? Well in my opinion these two:
  • Kyle Beckerman - He's good, but he's not Landon good and I would take Landon in the midfield over him right now
  • Julian Green - Like his last name he is "green" to the team. Recently "allowed" by FIFA to play for the US
Ok, so now I'm over the shock. Ok maybe not. The big question remains what will the reaction be if the team doesn't get out of the group of death with Donovan at home?