It was not too long ago that Landon Donovan had decided to take a break from football, leaving USA fans, as well as Jurgen Klinsmann questioning his decision. Many believed the 31 year-olds days on the national team had sadly come to an end, but the former German International decided that the Gold Cup is the perfect opportunity to give Donovan another chance.
His recall may have some fans divided, but his presence in the team could be really beneficial at the end of the day. Here is a player who could take part in a fourth World Cup, if the USA qualifies, and Klinsmann selects him.
With 144 appearances for the USMNT and 49 goals, many would agree that Donovan could go down as one of, if not the best American footballer to ever wear the red, white and blue. Not to mention that Donovan holds the record of goals scored when wearing his nation's colors.
Since returning from his sabbatical, Donovan is coming back into form, and a call up for the Gold Cup is something Klinsmann feels is the right decision.
"He needed time to get back in a rhythm, get back in shape and work on his game again," Klinsmann the USSF website.
"He's getting sharper every game and every week. We've watched his games and we believe that now is a good time to get him back in the national team and give him the opportunity to prove his point. He knows that the group that played the World Cup Qualifiers is ahead of the curve and have a very strong position right now, and that he's been observed by us and has to rebuild his case. We have all respect for what he has done in the past, but sports is about the present and the future."
The choice to call Donovan at this point could be an incredible move by Klinsmann, if Donovan is up for the challenge, which he likely will be. Donovan knows more than anyone that his spot is far from a guarantee, so leaving it all on the field during the Gold Cup will be his primary focus.
He will not only need to prove that he truly did need time off to recover and sort things out, but with a number of players missing, Donovan should take this opportunity to show that he is not only an experienced player who can add value, but he can, should and likely will be a leader within this squad. A spot in the World Cup squad is up for grabs and the California native will not want to miss out.
One should expect Donovan to come out ready to prove his believers right, and his critics wrong. He clearly has what it takes to lead the USMNT far in the tournament, which should bump him into a likely spot in next year's World Cup roster.
Klinsmann will either look like a genius in this situation, if Donovan is able to pick up where he left off, or a poor showing from the Galaxy forward would have the German's critics questioning his decisions, something that has not happened as of late, given their win streak in qualifications.
Is calling up Donovan a good decision, allowing him to play with much less pressure than a qualification match?
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