The soccer world reacts to Landon Donovan's exclusion from U.S.'s 23-man World Cup roster
The U.S.'s final 23-man World Cup roster was released by U.S. Soccer via Twitter on Thursday afternoon and the exclusion of Landon Donovan, the country's all-time leading scorer, produced plenty noteworthy knee-jerk reactions from the American soccer cognoscenti.
Several related names and phrases were trending for hours after the announcement, and 'No Landon Donovan' was the top trending item on Twitter in the U.S.
Here are some of the best tweets from players, analysts and fans:
Hands up, didn't see that one coming - Landon Donovan out of US World Cup 23
— Martin Rogers (@mrogersyahoo) May 22, 2014
Biggest news: Landon Donovan cut from US World Cup team. Three World Cups, five World Cup goals, all-time leading US goal-scorer.
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) May 22, 2014
No Landon Donovan? This is what Tim Howard had to say Monday: "If Landon is on the field he is one of our top one or two players." #USMNT
— Joe Lago (@joelago) May 22, 2014
Donovan is one of America's all-time greats, but the USMNT never won squat with him. The move is about sending a message. It's a new era.
— Joe Fortenbaugh (@JoeFortenbaugh) May 22, 2014
Ten MLSers make Klinsmann's 2014 World Cup roster. There were four in Bradley's side at the 2010 World Cup.
— Kurtis Larson (@KurtLarSUN) May 22, 2014
Again, life isn't fair and soccer isn't fair. A WC roster isn't about form, merit or history. It's simply a coach's preference.
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) May 22, 2014
Omg. Wtf. :( . I'm sad right now.
— Bobby Warshaw (@bwarshaw14) May 22, 2014
Can NOT believe no LD!!! That is crazy. Greatest player, by far IMO, in the history of our country. WOW
— Chris Wingert (@wingert17) May 22, 2014
Donovan not making the US roster doesn't feel right #SMH
— Ryan Meara (@RMeara_18) May 22, 2014
Crazy day in US Soccer...don't agree with some of the selections but I hope they prove me wrong #USA
— Ethan Finlay (@EthanFinlay13) May 22, 2014
Landon Donovan was not my favorite teammate in the world. With that said, this is a HUGE mistake to leave him off the World Cup team. #USMNT
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) May 22, 2014
What a joke, hopefully the real 23 man roster comes out soon
— Marc Burch (@Marc_Burch) May 22, 2014
..... RT @TaylorTwellman: 23 Man roster will be named tonight: Parkhurst, Evans, Goodson, Corona, Edu, Boyd and Donovan are not in. #USMNT
— The American Outlaws (@AmericanOutlaws) May 22, 2014
Not sure how any of us are tweeting right now, what with our heads all exploded. #USMNT
— Jason Davis (@davisjsn) May 22, 2014
Brad Davis over Donovan????
— Travis Clark (@travismclark) May 22, 2014
WOW. “@ussoccer: The #USMNT 2014 FIFA World Cup Roster: @j_klinsmann Names His 23. #OneNationOneTeam pic.twitter.com/fxJNbbm9si”
— Jay DeMerit (@D6MERIT) May 22, 2014
Landon Donovan did not make the World Cup team, presumably because he has not been good at soccer in a long time.
— Ryan Rosenblatt (@RyanRosenblatt) May 22, 2014
Klinsmann going all in with the young guys. That is just stunning to me. #usmnt
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) May 22, 2014
Bold move Jurgen... Bold move. #USMNT
— Nick Addis (@addis224) May 22, 2014
Should Green fail to contribute, I want Klinsmann FIRED if #USMNT bow out of World Cup needing the excluded Donovan!!! ego>bestplayer?!!
— Orlando Gonzales III (@OrlandoIII) May 22, 2014
Leaving off LD very gutsy. Worth remembering he isn't the player he was 4 year's ago, didn't help #USMNT qualify, & never gelled with Klinsi
— Josh Dougherty (@doughj) May 22, 2014
My gut says @J_Klinsmann has something up sleeve by leaving Landon off the #USMNT roster. Will see if it's brilliant or remarkably stupid.
— Andrew DeSouza (@andrewcdesouza) May 22, 2014
No Landon Donovan. No effing Landon Donovan. He is America. pic.twitter.com/GwzVK2g64o
— Jandro (@jandroperez95) May 22, 2014
Forever Red, White & Blue. #USMNT pic.twitter.com/G6Eg1edmRB
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 22, 2014
