Landon Donovan has been left off the US World Cup Team by the US men’s national team manager Jurgen Klinsmann and will not compete in the international tournament in Brazil.

Landon Donovan Will Not Play In 2014 World Cup

The official, 23-man roster of the US Soccer Team to compete in this summer’s World Cup was announced on Thursday, May 22, and fans were shocked to see Donovan’s name absent from the list.

Donovan, 32, plays for the LA Galaxy and is one of the most recognizable faces of American soccer – certainly the most recognizable in U.S. men’s soccer. He has competed in the last three World Cups on behalf of the U.S., and has played in 12 World Cup games and scored five goals, making him the American with the most World Cup goals and games under his belt.

Jurgen Klinsmann Statement

“Well this is certainly one of the toughest decisions in my coaching career to tell a player like him, with everything he’s done and what he represents, to tell him that you’re not part of this right now,” Klinsmann said of his controversial decision.

Klinsmann also took the time to commend Donovan for his professionalism, and emphasized that there were no personal reasons for his decision.

“He did everything right. He was always positive. His disappointment is huge. I totally understand that. He took it very professional because he’s an outstanding professional player and he knows that I have the highest respect for him. I have to make the decisions, what is good today, for this group going into Brazil, and there, I just think that the other guys right now are a little bit ahead of him,” Klinsmann stated.

Landon Donovan Statement

Donovan reached out to fans following the announcement. Though disappointed, Donovan said that he would be supporting the U.S. as they enter another World Cup.

“It has been an honor and privilege to have represented the US National Team in three World Cups. I was looking forward to playing in Brazil and, as you can imagine, I am very disappointed with today’s decision. Regardless, I will be cheering on my fiends and teammates this summer, and I remain committed to helping grow soccer in the US in the years to come,” Donovan wrote on his Facebook page.

Why Was Landon Donovan Cut?

Despite the cordial nature of Klinsmann and Donovan’s respective statements, many are speculating that behind-the-scenes drama between the coach and player is to blame for Donovan’s unceremonious dismissal.

In 2013, Donovan took three months off from soccer just as the World Cup qualifying process began. Though his break was well-deserved, Klinsmann took Donovan’s rest period as a sign of his wavering commitment to the sport. And Klinsmann was not shy about making his disapproval for Donovan known.

“Since he took his break, I simply told him if you take a break like that then you have to fight your way back into the picture and you have to confirm it with week-in, week-out performances in your club team and you have to confirm it also with performances in the national team environment,” Klinsmann said last week.

Other major players absent from the list include Brad Evans, Clarence Goodson and Michael Parkhurst.

The World Cup begins Thursday, June 12, and USA will play their first game against Ghana on June 16.

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Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.