Making Sense of the Nonsensical

Just under a scant year ago on July 28, 2013, Jurgen Klinsmann and Landon Donovan were chugging alcohol together, celebrating the U.S.’ redemptive 2013 Gold Cup victory in the locker-room after an all-encompassing dominate performance over Panama.

By nearly every offensive metric collected by Opta (OptaJack tweeted at one point during the Gold Cup his 12 chances created were the most in the tournament, for starters) Donovan was simply the best player in the tournament by miles on miles.  The eye-test said so, too.  Tactically deployed as a second striker, LD balled like I had never seen him ball before.  His movement off the ball was heady, his playmaking was proficient, his finishing electric and his set-piece delivery, delicious. 

It was the role I’d always hoped he would evolve to for the USMNT.  Sure, he’s a phenomenal winger, with pace and ability to beat defenders off the dribble and pitch-perfect technique to dangerously serve the rock with both feet into soft spots in the mixer.  He’s absolutely a deadly striker, too, as the U.S. soccer scoring records clearly indicate (all-time U.S. leading goal-scorer with 57, 21 more than current captain Clint Dempsey). 

But LD’s best traits have always been his ability to both create and finish.  What better spot to do that from than the middle of the park, with freedom to roam and find the game wherever he sees fit.  This was the spot for Donovan 2.0, the role that I thought could lead us deep into Brazil.  Klinsmann had figured out how to advantage of LD’s unique game. 

The swagger that was so clearly palpable throughout his entire career was back, too.  The shades, the celebrations, the knowledge that while the rest of CONCACAF was playing tidily-winks, Donovan was playing some version of chess us lay-folk had never heard of.  Perhaps with two Queens and more pieces, something like that.      

Fast-forward to September 10^th, 2013 where I once again witnessed an alcohol-fueled dance party in which both the German manager and the American legend were a part of.  The U.S. had qualified for the 2014 World Cup after out-classing longtime CONCACAF foil Mexico by the mythical U.S.-Mexico score- line of “dos-a-cero”.  The icing on the cake?  Donovan’s insurance goal in the 78^th minute and epic slide celebration, metaphorically chartering a flight for the Yanks down to Brazil come June.  All was right in the world.

This game even further cemented to me that JK had finally gotten over Donovan’s forever-debated “hiatus” from soccer and was ready to make him apart of the mix for good.  Although I’d argue it was barely a hiatus, considering he only missed a few U.S. games and a few Galaxy games, but that’s an argument for another day.

Regardless, Donovan’s deployment on the wing next to Dempsey that day was fine by me, considering Deuce is a beautiful option in that role, as well.  As long as the two were on the field together with my boys Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore our attack would be dynamic.  Who cares who was stirring the drink?

Somewhere between that majestic moment on September 10^th, 2013 and yesterday’s shocking tweet by the official U.S. soccer account that announced the 23-man roster which did not include Donovan, something happened that led Jurgen Klinsmann to leave America’s all-time leading scorer, all-time leader in assists, 3-World Cup, 1-Confederation Cup-veteran Landon Donovan no choice but to watch the 2014 World Cup games from somewhere other than the U.S. starting 11 or bench in Brazil. 

Come again, JK?  

One argument some have hypothesized as to why Klinsmann would exclude Donovan this time around is based on form – Donovan has not scored yet for the L.A. Galaxy in 2014 MLS Regular Season play.  Straw-man’s argument, indeed: anyone who thinks deeply about the game knows there is much more to form than banging the ball in the net.

First, let us remember that LD is on the cusp of breaking the MLS all-time record for goals scored (he needs one more to be alone atop, adding another feather to his ridiculously impressive cap).  Might that monkey on his back slightly affect his MLS play?  Perhaps he is pushing for a goal and letting the record weigh on him? While these athlete’s we adore so much might have inhumane superpowers, they are indeed flesh and blood just like us.  They even have emotions.

Not to mention the Galaxy are adjusting to new teammates and changing tactics.  In the early MLS Regular Season Donovan has only played 7 games so far.  In said games, Arena has used Donovan as a left-midfielder, a right-midfielder, a striker and as the center-mid at the top of his midfield-diamond.

Perhaps the constant fluidity of his position and tactical role have something to do with his lack of “form.”  I do not have the numbers in front of me but I’d bet the farm there isn’t a single player in MLS, or in the World Cup maybe even that has been asked to play four different position in seven consecutive club games.

Has Donovan used this as an excuse?  Of course he has not because he’s a pro and a team-first guy.  

On top of that, it is lazy to point to his goalless season and suggest he’s been out of form.  Many of my colleagues at Opta who watch every game, and every game closely, report that he has actually played quite well and contributed defensively and in the flow of attack.

Goals don’t define form and they aren’t dependent of themselves, they require a ton of help from 10 other teammates.

Another theory is that Klinsmann’s contract through 2018 has him more concerned with the World Cup in Russia than this year’s Group of Death draw.  Hence the inclusion of youngsters Julian Green, John Anthony Brooks and DeAndre Yedlin (who, by the way deserves to be in the squad regardless, as my Opta friend Matt Pavlich has pointed out for some time, this dude is special.)

If this were true, why include Chris Wondolowski and Brad Davis, two MLS-lifers who will almost certainly not be in the picture come 2018 and who both have very specific skillsets that, frankly do not thrill me at the highest level of soccer.

Wondolowski seems like a great guy, works his tail off in games and has a keen sense of timing in the box.  His athleticism, though, leaves much to be desired.  And while Davis can serve an exquisite cross with his superb left-peg, Graham Zusi is nearly as dangerous from dead ball or open play with crossing.  And so is, wait, Landon Donovan.  Enjoy this from the Gold Cup as a refresher.

Simply stated: in every situation that could come up in a World Cup game, I would rather have LD to turn to than these two.

Perhaps Donovan is not fit and his carrying a secret injury?  It does not appear that way, at least as all of the early reports from Jeff Carlisle's twitter page have suggested.

Then there is team spirit and emotional aspect of this that adds to my befuddlement. Veterans like Tim Howard, Dempsey, DeMarcus Beasley and Altidore have been through battle after battle with Donovan over the years.  Teammates grow to love each and teammates know how critical certain guys are to success.  Just look below at how Dempsey celebrates his game-winning goal in the 11’ Gold Cup Semi-Final, pointing to then, super-sub Donovan as if to remind everyone just how much Dempsey and the USMNT need LD. 

Or listen to one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Tim Howard, gush over Donovan in a video on MLSSoccer.com just a few days ago in which he essentially says Donovan is one of the team's most dangerous players, top two or three.  

When times get tough in Manaus and Dempsey and Howard look to connect with someone they know and trust, that someone will not be Landon Donovan.

I cannot come close to trying to understand Klinsmann here.  He knows more about soccer than I can ever hope to know.  He was one of the best players of his generation and a genius.  I have been fully in support of everything he’s done during his time as coach: from pushing the players to try and compete in the highest leagues in Europe, to including the German-Americans and other dual-nationals in the team, to his tactics emphasizing modern theories of the game like pressing high and possessing with one and two-touch: I’ve been drinking the Klinsy Kool-Aid since day one.

This one is lost on me, though and I can’t for the world of me come up with a reason that makes an inkling of sense, as I’ve thoroughly waxed about above. 

Some suggest Klinsmann needs to be the star in any situation thus preferring first-timers and youngsters as opposed to the most famous player in U.S. soccer history on his team who might steal some of the spotlight in Brazil. 

By cutting Donovan is he sending a message that it is his-way, or the highway?  That mental health breaks are unacceptable for national team players and that a robotic approach to the USMNT is the only way to be included? 

Or is this simply a strategic decision, one in which the manager would prefer the 20 other field players he selected to tinker with during the team’s three group games in Brazil?

I do not know, again, none of this makes any sense. 

Does Klinsmann care that he has probably isolated a good portion of the younger generation of U.S. soccer fans who fell desperately in love with the team thanks to some of LD’s performances, some of which include his sick run and sick headed-finish in a 2-0 win over Mexico in the 02’ World Cup Round of 16, or the forever epic Algeria game-winner we will all hold in our hearts as forever special? 

Clearly not, that is just how JK roles – with his gun off safety, for better or for worse.   

And in this case, I do not get it.  Have I mentioned that?

I’m not one to say that if the World Cup doesn’t work out that Klinsmann needs to be fired and held accountable for not bringing Donovan.  Writers who suggest such crazy rhetoric like “he’ll really have to face it if the U.S. crashes and burns in Brazil, we’ll hold his feet to the fire, that’s for sure,” are being dramatic with their prose.  

One player does not make a team, 23 do.  And it’s the players who play, not JK.    

But the exclusion is shocking and as I’ve emphasized throughout this piece, extremely confusing.

I’ll still be rooting like hell for the team.  I would love it if Brad Davis offers up a ball that Wondo finishes against Portugal to but us through the group.  I hope Julian Green lights up the tournament like Donovan did as a teenager back in 02’ in Asia.  I want to see Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore celebrate a goal. 

Something will be missing, though and for one last time, I don’t get why. 

I’ve been lucky enough to remember five World Cups so far in my life.  Three of those have included Donovan.  An American player I loved to watch, was proud to watch and was electric to watch.

Thanks for the memories, LD.  If god-forbid someone gets hurt and needs replacing, I hope JK re-considers and invites you back.  If he does, please say yes.  If not, I get that too.  Finally, something about this situation I actually get.

One more time: “Go, go, USA!”