Roger Bennett, whose Inside: U.S. Soccer’s March to Brazil appears on ESPN, says the signs were there for JurgenKlinsmann‘s decision to drop Landon Donovan.
Donovan said for the first episode, “I can’t train 12 straight days in a row and have 12great days in a row. Physically, it is not possible. My body breaks down; I’m getting older.”
Klinsmann’s view was that the media thought Donovan is untouchable. “The media thinks heshould be in Brazil based on what he did … but that is not how it works,” he said. “I have to choose the 23 best players based on what I see today.”
After the cuts came down, Klinsmannaddressed the remaining 23 players: “It is a bitter pill to swallow,” he told them. “Not easy even on the coach. Youdon’t even want to know how they feel right now. … It hurts them, it hurts me, too.”