Landon Donovan, the top scorer for the United States, was dropped from the squad for next month's FIFA World Cup in Brazil, according to U.S. soccer
Veteran Donovan was included in the provisional 30-man squad, who gathered at a camp in Palo Alto, California, before the World Cup but did not make the final squad picked by coach Juergen Klinsmann ahead of the mega soccer event in the South American country.
The attacker has played for his country in the past three World Cups and is considered as the face of American soccer.
"It is certainly the toughest decision of my coaching career to tell a player like him, with everything he's done and what he represents, to tell him that you are not part of that 23 right now," said Klinsmann.
"I just see some other players slightly ahead of him. He's been part of that final 30 roster in terms of the last 10 days and he did everything right, he was always positive, he took it in the best way possible," added the coach.
Landon Donovan did not take part in some of the crucial qualifying games for the World Cup finals due to a break but returned to the side for 2013 Gold Cup. His shocking omission from the side will disappoint many fans.
Former Germany striker and coach Klinsmann has long made it clear however that Donovan should not be considered an automatic selection and last April said that the player had fallen down his pecking order.
It should be noted that Julian Green, who participated in lower German footballing leagues with Bayern Munich's second team, has been included in the final 23 ahead of the experienced Donovan.
Green, who only recently chose to play for the U.S. ahead of Germany for whom is also eligible, plays in a wide attacking role, similar to the position that Donovan has filled for the U.S. in most of his 156 games for the national team.
Donovan has netted 57 goals for the United States including the winner against Algeria in 2010 World Cup in South Africa to qualify for the second round of the tournament.
"His disappointment his huge, I totally understand that, he took it very professionally because he is an outstanding professional player," said Klinsmann.
"He knows that I have the highest respect for him but I have to make decisions as of today, what is good for this group going into Brazil and there I just think the other guys are a little bit ahead of him. I told him that, he understands it but obviously he is very disappointed," he added.
Terrence Boyd, midfielders Joe Corona and Maurice Edu and defenders Brad Evans, Clarence Goodson and Michael Parkhurst will not be seen in the World Cup as well.
United States are set to face Ghana, Portugal and Germany in their Group G matches of the World Cup in Brazil.
Klinsmann's side will also play friendlies against Azerbaijan in San Francisco on May 27, Turkey in Harrison, New Jersey on June 1 and Nigeria in Jacksonville on June 7 before leaving for the South American country.
Source: Reuters
