Sports

joeybee12

(56,177 posts) Thu Jul 3, 2014, 12:31 PM Jul 2014

Landon Donovan Criticizes Klinsmann

Following the United States’ 2-1 loss to Belgium on Tuesday, Landon Donovan has spoken out against Jurgen Klinsmann’s tactics claiming the team was not “set up to succeed.”

Controversially left off the U.S. roster, Donovan explained he was disappointed in the setup of Klinsmann, who moved away from the passing, attacking soccer that the team had been developing leading up to the 2014 World Cup.

“It’s certainly a missed opportunity,” he said following a training session with the LA Galaxy on Wednesday. “The thought of having a game Saturday – the day after the Fourth of July, against [Lionel] Messi and Argentina, with what was already a swelling audience – would have been incredible.

“I think we’re all disappointed in what happened yesterday. I think the most disappointing is we didn’t seem like we gave it a real effort, from a tactical standpoint. I thought the guys did everything they could, they did everything that was asked of them, but I don’t think we were set up to succeed yesterday, and that was tough to watch.”

http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/02/landon-donovan-tactically-the-team-was-not-set-up-to-succeed/related/

IMHO he has a point

10 replies

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Landon Donovan Criticizes Klinsmann (Original Post) joeybee12 Jul 2014 OP

Well, then, once he leaves the pitch, perhaps he should coach an MLS side KamaAina Jul 2014 #1

Well, now we know why he got cut. bluedigger Jul 2014 #2

I think it's more they're both hard-heads and didn't get along... joeybee12 Jul 2014 #3

I'm sure there was a lot more to it. bluedigger Jul 2014 #4

You could be right... joeybee12 Jul 2014 #5

Remind me when it's time to care again! bluedigger Jul 2014 #6

Damn! I was hoping YOU would remind ME! joeybee12 Jul 2014 #7

Dibs. bluedigger Jul 2014 #8

I'm always too late! joeybee12 Jul 2014 #9

Poor joeybee12! bluedigger Jul 2014 #10

KamaAina

(78,249 posts)

1. Well, then, once he leaves the pitch, perhaps he should coach an MLS side

Reply to joeybee12 (Original post)

Thu Jul 3, 2014, 12:38 PM

Jul 2014

and put his style of play into practice. Alas, it'd likely be the flippin' Galaxy.

Oh, right, Keith Olbermann has asked me to say "field" and "team".

http://www.democraticunderground.com/120444782

bluedigger

(17,086 posts)

2. Well, now we know why he got cut.

Reply to joeybee12 (Original post)

Thu Jul 3, 2014, 01:19 PM

Jul 2014

Whether or not he was right is debatable, but he clearly didn't buy into the coach's game plan for the team.

joeybee12

(56,177 posts)

3. I think it's more they're both hard-heads and didn't get along...

Reply to bluedigger (Reply #2)

Thu Jul 3, 2014, 01:21 PM

Jul 2014

Klinsmann's send a tweet after the team was announced mocking Landon...no love lost on either side.

bluedigger

(17,086 posts)

4. I'm sure there was a lot more to it.

Reply to joeybee12 (Reply #3)

Thu Jul 3, 2014, 01:26 PM

Jul 2014

As a casual observer of the sport, it seems like soccer gives a lot more autonomous power to the head coach than other team sports when it comes to selecting their rosters. Maybe that's a mistaken impression on my part.