CARSON, Calif. — Landon Donovan will not be traveling with the US national team to Belgium for the teams’ matchup next week in Brussels.
A US Soccer official confirmed to MLSsoccer.com that Donovan will only take part in the Americans’ match against Costa Rica on Friday evening (11 pm ET, ESPN2, Galavisión) and not the Sept. 6 match against Belgium, citing a prior agreement between the US team and the LA Galaxy before the US roster was announced.
Donovan will stay behind in preparation for the Galaxy’s match on Monday against Sporting KC as well as their CONCACAF Champions League date against Mexican side Monarcas Morelia on Sept. 13.
The all-time leading scorer in US national team history has been in training with the USMNT this week while his fellow Galaxy teammates have had a brief time off ahead of their match against SKC at Livestrong Sporting Park on Labor Day (6 pm ET, Fox Soccer).
Donovan is the second MLS player announced who will miss at least one of the two upcoming games for club obligations, joining Kyle Beckerman. The Real Salt Lake midfielder will play in RSL’s home matchup against Philadelphia on Saturday instead of suiting up for the Americans against Costa Rica, but he will join the US team against Belgium.
Klinsmann is expected to announce the gameday roster for the Belguim match on Saturday, and it is expected to include both Clint Dempsey and Steve Cherundolo, who will both skip the Costa Rica match.
Johnsonstill ruled out
Hoffenheim midfielder Fabian Johnson has begun the formal process with FIFA of changing his national association from Germany to the United States, the USSF announced this week. Until that process is completed, he cannot play in a match for the United States.
Johnson, who is a dual national born to an American serviceman and a German mother, represented Germany in the 2009 U-21 European Championship, which triggers the requirement that he request a change of association.
Adam Serrano writes for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached atadam.m.serrano@gmail.comand on Twitter: @adamserrano
