US World Cup roster announced, Donovan among players cut

[TexasTowelie]

Landon Donovan among 7 players cut as US announces 23-man World Cup roster.

The 23-man U.S. World Cup roster announced Thursday by coach Jurgen Klinsmann:

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Tim Howard (Everton, England), Nick Rimando (Salt Lake)

Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla, Mexico), Matt Besler (Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin, Germany), Geoff Cameron (Stoke, England), Timmy Chandler (Nuremberg, Germany), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle)

More at http://www.elpasotimes.com/latestnews/ci_25816773/us-world-cup-roster-announced-donovan-among-players .

[KamaAina]

1. Holy $#*! I only recognize five names on that roster!

And three of them are strikers: Altidore, Dempsey, and of course, Wondo. Of the rest, only Howard and Beasley ring a bell. Klinsmann may have selected the 23 most skilled players, but I'm not at all sure that translates into the best side. Lando would have been worth keeping around for his Cup experience, and maybe to sub in at times. I fear all these Cup virgins are going to play like a herd of deer in the headlights.

[Renew Deal]

2. Not a lot of stars on that team

The US has to be a big underdog based on that roster.

[KamaAina]

3. I am deeply concerned that Klinsmann may be writing this Cup off

to build for the future. But there won't be much of a future if this glorified U-23 team lays another gigantic egg and the country gives up on them.

[elias7]

4. I am disappointed and a little disturbed

There's no substitute for a player with the experience and the proven record to make things happen in the big games. He's still only 32, so physically capable, has a month to get in better shape, and he was the CONCACAF MVP just this past summer. Replacing him with untested teenagers who may or may not blossom in 4 years is dubious in my mind, except that the coach is Klinsman, so it's hard to second guess.

It seems that Klinsman has written off this world cup. Why go?

What bothers me most is the aroma of this being somewhat personal. From Klinsman's complaining about the media attention Donovan gets, to Klinsman's son mocking Donovan's getting cut in a tweet, to a disproportionate amount of players with German connections, to possibly decreasing our competitiveness in a group that just happens to include Germany. Some red flags here.