The World Cup roster consists of 23 players. 11 players play at a time and the team gets 3 subs. By my count this leaves a lot of players who won’t be getting into the game.  Without watching Landon play in the past 10 years, it’s hard for me to comment on his declining ability but based on the coach not picking him, I’m sure he’s not as good as he was.  Is this good enough reason though to leave him off?

I vote no.  Here is another graph of scoring chances Donovan created since 2013 on the men’s national team.  That’s 13 more than the next closer player going to Brazil.  I’m obviously missing something here about his loss of talent in the past year.  He is the leading USA World Cup scorer with 5 goals in the past 3 World Cup’s and he has experience like no other.  Is Kinsmann saying that the 23rd roster spot is going to have more of an impact than Landon Donovan?  Doubt it.

Suck it Kinsmann

Donovan scores 2 goals on Sunday night to become the leading MLS scorer of all time.

Landon Donovan. History. #Landon135 #LAvPHI pic.twitter.com/zjNWEaKThI

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) May 26, 2014