Landon Donovan is one focused man.
On Monday, US Soccer announced that the LA Galaxy star has withdrawn his name from the US national team squad for its friendly vs. France in Paris on Friday.
"The plan was to have Landon come in for the match against France and then return to the LA Galaxy in preparation for MLS Cup,” US head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said in a statement, “but after further discussion, Landon expressed his desire to stay in Los Angeles.”
The Galaxy will play for their third MLS Cup title on Nov. 20, and they will no doubt be boosted by their captain staying in town to help the team prepare. Robbie Keane and Chris Birchall have both left the club to help their national teams in this upcoming international break.
Donovan has not suited up for the USMNT since Sept. 2 in a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica at the Home Depot Center. He declined to travel to Brussels for a friendly against Belgium on Sept. 6 and sat out last month’s friendlies against Honduras and Ecuador to nurse a quad injury.
"While my preference was to have Landon with us for this important match, I respect his decision,” Klinsmann continued. “I'm very happy with the progress this team is making and the commitment they have shown in each and every camp. We look forward to the challenge of the next two games."
No replacement for Donovan will be named at this time, according to US Soccer. The American squad arrived in Paris on Monday as part of a four-day camp.
The US will take on the 1998 World Cup champions at the famed Stade de France on Friday (3 pm ET, ESPN2, Univisión), then will travel to Ljubljana to take on fellow 2010 World Cup Group C opponents Slovenia on Nov. 15.
FULL USA ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS (2): Bill Hamid (D.C.United), Tim Howard (Everton/England)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers/Scotland), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg/Germany), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96/Germany), Clarence Goodson (Brøndby/Denmark), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin/Germany), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis/Mexico), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon/Portugal)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona/Italy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham/England), Maurice Edu (Rangers/Scotland), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim/Germany), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04/Germany), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim/Germany)
FORWARDS (3): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar/Netherlands), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla/Mexico), Edson Buddle (Ingolstadt/Germany)
