Insta-tweet reaction: How Twitter reacted to USMNT World Cup roster, Landon Donovan cut | SIDELINE

Andy Edwards

In a surprise move US national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann unexpectedly announced his final 23-man roster for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil on Thursday night.

It came without warning, and brought about undoubtedly the biggest tidal wave of exclimation points and question marks that the USMNT Twittersphere has ever seen.

Klinsmann chose to leave all-time USMNT leading goalscorer Landon Donovan off the roster, and this is how Twitter reacted in the moments immediately following the news:

I feel something. It's a familiar feeling. I feel @TaylorTwellman is about to break some #USMNT news in 5...4...3...2...
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) May 22, 2014

23 Man roster will be named tonight: Parkhurst, Evans, Goodson, Corona, Edu, Boyd and Donovan are not in. #USMNT
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) May 22, 2014

And it didn't take long for the USMNT's World Cup roster — or, more specifically, "No Landon Donovan" — to shoot up the trending topics rankings.

The #USMNT fan base right now. http://t.co/XKsVwOivXe
— COPA90 US (@Copa90US) May 22, 2014

Forever Red, White & Blue. #USMNT pic.twitter.com/G6Eg1edmRB
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 22, 2014

That sound you hear is Twitter EXPLODING…..
— The Original Winger (@OriginalWinger) May 22, 2014

Ten MLSers make Klinsmann's 2014 World Cup roster. There were four in Bradley's side at the 2010 World Cup.
— Kurt Larson (@OneSoccerExpert) May 22, 2014

Gutted. At peace tho knowing i did everything i could and made it a tough decision for coaches. All the best to the boys in Brazil #USMNT
— Michael Parkhurst (@MFparkhurst) May 22, 2014

Again, life isn't fair and soccer isn't fair. A WC roster isn't about form, merit or history. It's simply a coach's preference.
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) May 22, 2014

Can NOT believe no LD!!! That is crazy. Greatest player, by far IMO, in the history of our country. WOW
— Chris Wingert (@wingert17) May 22, 2014

Wow
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) May 22, 2014

Donovan not making the US roster doesn't feel right #SMH
— Ryan Meara (@Rmeara18) May 22, 2014

Crazy day in US Soccer...don't agree with some of the selections but I hope they prove me wrong #USA
— Ethan Finlay (@EthanFinlay13) May 22, 2014

Landon Donovan was not my favorite teammate in the world. With that said, this is a HUGE mistake to leave him off the World Cup team. #USMNT
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) May 22, 2014

What a joke, hopefully the real 23 man roster comes out soon
— Marc Burch (@Marc_Burch) May 22, 2014

Wow. Confused. Hurting for my boy. pic.twitter.com/mxq3MxufUX
— Mike Magee (@magee18) May 22, 2014

..... RT @TaylorTwellman: 23 Man roster will be named tonight: Parkhurst, Evans, Goodson, Corona, Edu, Boyd and Donovan are not in. #USMNT
— The American Outlaws (@AmericanOutlaws) May 22, 2014

Landon Donovan is not on the U.S. roster, according to @TaylorTwellman, Wow. #usmnt
— Doug McIntyre (@ByDougMcIntyre) May 22, 2014

The #USMNT 2014 FIFA World Cup Roster: @j_klinsmann Names His 23. #OneNationOneTeam pic.twitter.com/UFM7YCa4Tx
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) May 22, 2014

Not sure how any of us are tweeting right now, what with our heads all exploded. #USMNT
— Jason Davis, Chief Soccer Officer (@davisjsn) May 22, 2014

It's.abt.2.go.down “@TaylorTwellman: 23 Man roster out tonight: Parkhurst, Evans, Goodson, Corona, Edu, Boyd and Donovan are not in #USMNT”
— Judy Matthew(Concha) (@judyconcha) May 22, 2014

Brad Davis over Donovan????
— Travis Clark (@travismclark) May 22, 2014

WOW. “@ussoccer: The #USMNT 2014 FIFA World Cup Roster: @j_klinsmann Names His 23. #OneNationOneTeam pic.twitter.com/fxJNbbm9si”
— Jay DeMerit (@D6MERIT) May 22, 2014

Players who did not take a self-imposed hiatus from soccer on the 23- man roster: 23.
— Benjamin Winters (@SKCBensa) May 22, 2014

Landon Donovan did not make the World Cup team, presumably because he has not been good at soccer in a long time.
— Ryan Rosenblatt, World Series Champion (@RyanRosenblatt) May 22, 2014

Biggest news: Landon Donovan cut from US World Cup team. Three World Cups, five World Cup goals, all-time leading US goal-scorer.
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) May 22, 2014

Klinsmann going all in with the young guys. That is just stunning to me. #usmnt
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) May 22, 2014

How in the hell did Donovan get left of the #USMNT
— MMAGuy (@MMA__Guy) May 22, 2014

#USMNT its crazy to not see Landon Donovan going to the World Cup.
— Christopher Larrea (@CL_aLpHa) May 22, 2014

This almost feels like Landon has just passed the baton to Julian Green. Looks like #USMNT critics have someone new to point fingers at.
— Leftie Quixote (@The_Leftie) May 22, 2014

#USMNT haven't just lost their best player (of all time), but an icon. Donovan will leave a huge hole. Bizarre decision.
— Glenn Williams (@GRW810) May 22, 2014

Landon Donovan is a legend, but it's time to move forward. Too much young talent to leave out. #USMNT
— David Cox (@jdavidcox) May 22, 2014

Wondolowski! #USMNT
— Andre Nguyen (@AznDre) May 22, 2014

Leaving off LD very gutsy. Worth remembering he isn't the player he was 4 year's ago, didn't help #USMNT qualify, & never gelled with Klinsi
— Josh Dougherty (@doughj) May 22, 2014

So hyped Julian Green made the cut!!! #USMNT #Brazil2014
— NATE DOGG (@BIGNATE_212) May 22, 2014

Happy for the dudes who did make it, now let's shock the world!!!! #USA #USMNT
— JonPerezA 不屈 (@For7itude) May 22, 2014

And I just don't see Brad Davis playing in any of those three group matches. Great left foot, but why take him to Brazil? #USMNT
— Chris Bils (@ChrisBils) May 22, 2014

Let's focus on who is going to #Brazil... #USMNT
— Touchline FC (@TouchlineFC) May 22, 2014

Hey @J_Klinsmann you got some 'splaining to do! #USMNT #WorldCup2014
— Ilan (@Skeelon1215) May 22, 2014

Thus the #USMNT career of the greatest American player ever ends! Thank you @landondonovan great memories and moments.
— Yeyo (@yeyoistheman) May 22, 2014

Like cutting the roster early but really confused at some of these choices #USMNT
— Mitch Reinhart (@mitchreinhart) May 22, 2014

Julian Green over the United States all time leading scorer. Gutsy by Jurgen. But I love it. #USMNT
— Coy (@CoyFrutain35) May 22, 2014

Just realized most of Europe/Africa is sleeping or about to go to bed. Wonder what they are/will think when they see the #USMNT roster?
— Jüstin ZimmerMönster 🧛🏼‍♂️🕸️👻👾🧟‍♂️ (@JustnRZimmerman) May 22, 2014

No Donovan on #USMNT #WorldCup team a key step for #Klinsmann independence. Had no use for diva who bailed on team during qualifying.
— Ira Lacher (@bronxiniowa) May 22, 2014

Other than the Landon omission, I like the roster a lot. Sporting KC represented well with Zusi and Besler. In Jurgen we trust. #USMNT
— Tyler Howard (@FakeTylerHoward) May 22, 2014

Can we pay more attention to who's on the roster than who's off?? He's a great player, but maybe not the right player. #USMNT
— Sarah Moses (@sfaith82) May 22, 2014