Soccer. Who cares, right? Wrong.

Its the World Cup which means for the next two months the entire nation is going to act like they actually pay attention to this sport. And when the US inevitably loses because more than half the other countries are significantly more talented than them, Americans will go back to their football and basketball with their tails tucked between their legs mumbling something about how their country is still the best at literally everything else.

But until that tragic moment comes, Americans will gather at their water coolers to talk about something they haven’t thought about in four years, soccer. However, this time they won’t be able to discuss the most recognizable American male soccer player in the HISTORY OF THE GAME. Landon Donovan will not be in Brazil for the Cup after failing to make the final cut for the 23 man roster.

And that decision is completely and utterly ludicrous.

It’s the worst roster move since Michael Jordan’s JV coach cut His Airness, and what’s worse is that fans and media are accepting it under the argument that it’s “for the good of the team.” And who is feeding the nation this poppycock? Try Jurgen Klinsmann, the USMNT new coach from Germany.

Firstly, how does the nation know this guy isn’t out there just to ensure the Germans get out of group play…but thats a different issue. *see illuminati*

But seriously, Donovan has given his entire career to USA soccer. He has been on the national team 13 years and amounted 57 goals. At age 17 he turned down a shot with a German professional team to play with the U-17 US team. He then requested to be sent to the San Jose Earthquakes to further the beatiful game in America. Once his loan was up in San Jose, he spent only seven games back in Germany before again requesting to be back in the States. He went on to play for the LA Galaxy, scoring the most ever goals in MLS history…a title recorded just last week. Despite spending a week or two with a big name club in Europe from time to time, Donovan always found his way back to the US for the start of the MLS season.

Donovan is no idiot, and it doesn’t take a genius to know that any real money or fame in soccer isn’t found in American. Still, the star refused to seek success outside this nation’s borders. That kind of loyalty doesn’t exist in sports…especially from the top guy in the game. Just ask Cleveland, sports stars don’t believe in hometown discounts. But that’s what makes Donovan different. He was never in it for him.

He played to bring the game he loved to the country he loved.

And this is how that country repays him. Weeks before his victory lap in front of the entire world, they cut him. Who cares if he is old? Who cares if he is slow? Heck, who cares if he sits on the bench 90 percent of the game. He’s is USA soccer. He’s more than earned a spot on the team.

Now the hopes of US soccer rests in the hands of a foreigner that is trying to teach a bunch of Americans how to play like Europeans. The “Group of Death” awaits in Brazil, and their World Cup run will probably be like that of Donovan’s final run with the national team: short and tragic. It will be a run and a country that is not at all worthy of the exiting career and loyal man that proceeded it.