re: SBI: Donovan admits to initial bitterness towards USMNT

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This is where the Donovan decision blows my mind. Obviously, Jurgen wants to go as far as possible. In order to maximize your chances, you bring the best 23 players to accomplish that. We did not do that.

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And if our best 23 are keepers? Bring the best 23 right?

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It would be still be 23 players. It would include Landon and Boyd over Green and Davis.

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What about Shea and Johnson and Corona? They all went to the GC too.

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Every coach or manager who is worth anything, good enough to have the job in the first place, evaluates his talent according to the time, place, and opponents on his upcoming schedule, and the definition of success for the next objective.

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This is what they don't get.

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So the 23 we had for the Gold Cup were chosen for that competition, at that time against the opposition therein. For the WCQ, the same, who was available, who was the competition, where was it, etc. Are you lot going to seriously tell me that Jogi Löw should bring the 23 he brought to Euro 2012, because well, they were good enough for Euro 2012? I mean, look, Miroslav Klose almost didn't make this team, and in fact has been a sub. By the calculus of this discussion here on the S.B. at T.D., Klose should be starting up top, and not on the bench, because he's the best ever goal-scorer for his country and the W.C. Right? No.

Yes, I realize GC was just a year ago, and that makes CONCACAF different from UEFA, but you're applying the same reasoning, when you argue in Donovan's favor simply because of "time-served" and the last time he played. Yes, I'm puzzled by Klinsmann's decision, yes, it's hard to see a person like LD left off at this stage. I tend to like and have an affinity for long-standing veterans at most levels of sport. But there comes that time, when it's time for things to change, and it's difficult to embrace.

Klinsmann, who knows why, felt that L.D. was not suitable to THIS tournament against Ghana, Portugal and Germany, at this time in Brazil at the World Cup. Who knows, exactly why? It's great to discuss, it, but the fact is the manager paid to make the decision made one, a hard one, one that has cost him dearly in the court of public opinion and the media. I have to respect him, some, for that courage and standing by his coaching convictions.

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Bingo.

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My point was that JK gave Donovan more responsibility in those previous instances and he did excelled only to not take him when it most mattered. Not sure why you mentioned Shea or Corona.

It's hilarious that you are telling me what "my problem" is.

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Well you assume that Jurgen's WC plans are exactly similar to his GC plans. That because Donovan went to the GC and played in some Qualifiers that he deserves to go the cup. You're up against different teams, in different situations, with different stresses.

That isn't true. I don't why you can't see that.

Apologies for using problem, but your "perspective."

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You are completely missing what we are arguing.

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Why is Eddie Johnson, or better yet Boyd not at the World Cup? Answer that question.

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There has been no real justification to leave him off the team

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t basically came down to a personal decision.

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maybe this is where alot of disagreement comes from.

Many, myself included, think that a personal decision that is substantial would be a justified reason to leave him.
OK THIS NEXT PART IS A GENERAL HYPO NOT RELATING TO LD AT ALL.
A justified reason to me could include:
a player being a cancer because he is just a dick
a player not wanting to accept a new role on the team
a player not wanting to buy into a coaching staff and system
a player not playing hard or being where he needs to be form wise
etc.

So maybe LD falls into one of these categories or another closely related to it.

I agree that dedication is an idiot argument. But him not being on top of personal form and in best personal shape could have played into the factor.
IE even if he was a dick and JK hated him, if he was in top shape and form, you cant leave him off.
the totality of the circumstances must be taken into account

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The best 23 that considers logical roster constraints.

Are you just trying to incite shite?

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Not at all. But you keep saying "bring the best 23" and that isn't true. You bring the 23 players that create the chance to win within your given strategy/situation.

And no one but Jurgen and maybe Donovan have enough information to know whether or not it was a "good" choice.

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And no one but Jurgen and maybe Donovan have enough information to know whether or not it was a "good" choice.

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Yet here you are telling the people that disagree with you that they "have a problem" and "don't get it".

You are talking out of both sides of your mouth.

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Not at all. But you keep saying "bring the best 23" and that isn't true. You bring the 23 players that create the chance to win within your given strategy/situation.

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Of course you do that, but there is no fricking scenario where Julian Green and Brad Davis make our team better than Donovan.

The only way you take Davis is if penalty shootouts are replaced with a left-footed free kick competition.

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That's debatable especially in Bacon's case.

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Aron is our third best striker, but that's an entirely different argument.

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is more important than having an overall strategy/paying attention to the situation at hand.

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What strategical advantage did we gain by leaving off Donovan?

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That the player is more important than the team.

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I've never once stated this or even alluded to it. I just think Donovan is very important FOR the team.

I understand your point. I just firmly believe that Donovan is one of nine automatic roster spots on our team (ten if you count Guzan).