The American Soccer landscape was rocked Thursday by the news that Landon Donovan, America’s most successful and celebrated soccer star, was left off the roster for the upcoming World Cup in Brazil.
U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann justified his decision Friday to leave Donovan behind, stating that younger players performed better than the 32-year-old L.A. Galaxy star. Klinsmann also revealed that although Donovan was disappointed, he took the rejection professionally.
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Klinsmann’s comments showed a deep respect for the Donovan, which contrasted those of his son Jonathan, who posted an irreverent and since-deleted tweet mocking Donovan’s rejection.
Naturally, the news of Donovan being cut from the team shook the social media world, who reacted with a wide array of emotions, from anger to conspiracy theories to outright threats against Jurgen Klinsmann.
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Here are the cream of the crop:
Why is @landondonovan not on the World Cup Team? @J_Klinsmann is trying to sabotage our team so Germany can win, that’s why #USMNT #WorldCup
— Wicker Perlis (@TheWickerMan504) May 23, 2014
Landon Donovan left off of the USMNT for the World Cup…….WTF Jurgen?!? — Sean P Perdue (@sean_perdue13) May 23, 2014
Pretty pissed Landon Donovan didn’t make the US fifa roster. Like wtf Landon Donovan is US soccer — Matthew Schlefstein (@mattschlefstein) May 23, 2014
How the fuck don’t you put Landon Donovan on the team ? — Dilly Willy (@StoreyDylan) May 23, 2014
I’m sick. Landon Donovan deserves better. He’s probably the best US soccer player in its entire history. That sucks. — Eddie Maisonet, III (@edthesportsfan) May 22, 2014
You’re a piece of shit @J_Klinsmann FUCK YOU! #TakeLD
— $cooteR (@Humberto_069) May 23, 2014
Like how the fuck does it cross your mind to leave out the greatest USA player of all time? @J_Klinsmann you fucking moron
— ernesto (@ernib14) May 23, 2014
Anyone else think that Jurgen Klinsmann is benching Donovan because he’s German? They’re in the same group…#conspiracy
— Zack T (@ApacheZack) May 23, 2014
Can we start conspiracy theories? Like Klinsmann is still being paid by Germany? That makes more sense. #ussoccer #worldcup #donovan #usmnt
— Hutch (@HutchFTS) May 22, 2014
I don’t know diddly about soccer , but everyone on my timeline is super-pissed, so LANDON DONOVAN?!? NOOOOOOO!!!! (Am I doing it right?)
— Robert Silverman (@BobSaietta) May 22, 2014