First of all I think that everyone in the United States underrates Jürgen Klinsmann’s credentials. As a player he won both a European Title and a World Cup title for Germnay. Klinsmann was the first player ever to score in three different UEFA European Championships, and he was the first player ever to score at least three goals in three consecutive World Cups. Not only was he a Champion but he was one of the better strikers in the world for a decade. Furthermore, he was also coached by possibly the greatest Football mind ever in Franz Beckenbauer. Giving him status as a player that no American has come close to.

Arguably, Klinsman’s best game as an international player came in the 1990 World Cup when his strike partner was sent off in 22minutes, and his team had to play with 10 men including Klinsmann as the lone striker. However, Klinsmann went on to score the opening goal and then pressure the opposing defense for the rest of the game putting on a display that the German papers called “a brilliant, almost perfect performance.”

As a coach, Klinnsman was selected to coach Germany on Germany soil, during a World Cup, which is a pressure possibly only surpassed by the same position in Brazil. During his time as coach he won over Beckenbauer, whom had criticized him heavily before and restored Germany as a Football powerhouse. Now I could go on and discuss even more why Klinsmann is a brilliant footballer, but I simply wanted to restate his credentials.

The real reason Donovan didn’t make the final 23 is that he is a “Diva.” As a young player he signed for Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, which would have been great. However, instead of trying to learn how to play football the right way in one of the best leagues in the world he decided to spend most of his time training with US kids his own age, and being comfortable back near his home in the MLS. At an early age in Germany and Europe Donovan gained a reputation for being a child that gets his way instead of working as hard as possible to grow as a footballer.

Now, why do Klinnman’s credentials, and Donovan from almost 10years ago matter? Because in the past year or so Donovan has proven what his reputation has been to Klinsmann. Starting with the sabbatical, which he extended, Donovan showed us his “Diva” side. Instead of coming back to help the US with some of its most difficult qualifiers, having already lost to Honduras and with Costa Rica and Mexico fast approaching; Donovan abandoned the United States.

However, the United States squad showed how little they needed Donovan by taking some of their biggest challenges: blizzard game against Costa Rica, draw at the Azteca, revenge against Honduras and completing them without Donovan. By the time Donovan’s sabbatical was over the US was in charge of the Hex in the CONCACAF region, and Klinsmann gave Donovan a chance to prove he deserved a spot.

Landon responded to his start against Costa Rica by being part of the worst game of the Hex for the United States. Including allowing at least one goal through sloppy defensive work rate. He then scored a goal and picked up a yellow against Mexico. Donovan finished his disappointing Hex by being subbed for the winning goalscorer against Jamaica. The quick summary is that Klinsmann gave Donovan a chance to succeed in making the World Cup team and Donovan fell flat.

I want to take a second to dispel a Donovan myth: “Donovan is the most experienced player on the USMNT.” Playing a bunch of games in CONCACAF and MLS does not make you experienced, because that is not the region and league where big names on the top of their career play. Players like Altidore, Dempsey, Bradley, Guzan, Howard, Jermaine Jones, DeMarcus Beasley, and to a lesser extent Geoff Cameron have just as much, if not more experience than Donovan. For the simple fact that they played in the big leagues for at least couple years. While Donovan chose to be the Crash Davis of football.