It might take some time before Landon Donovan meets the media to discuss his surprise exclusion from the US national team’s 23-man World Cup roster, but he took to his personal Facebook account on Thursday to address the news in a letter to his fans.
“It has been an honor and privilege to have represented the US national team in three World Cups,” Donovan wrote. “I was looking forward to playing in Brazil and, as you can imagine, I am very disappointed with today’s decision. Regardless, I will be cheering on my friends and teammates this summer, and I remain committed to helping grow soccer in the US in the years to come.”
Although it’s unclear if Donovan, 32, will officially retire from international competition following head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s decision, he almost certainly won’t be back for another shot at the World Cup in 2018.
He said earlier this week during the team’s training camp in Stanford, Calif., that this would be his last shot at the world’s biggest stage, which would have been his fourth World Cup appearance.
In a statement on the US roster announcement, MLS Commissioner Don Garber praised Donovan’s contributions to US Soccer.
“Landon is arguably the greatest player ever to wear the US colors and there is no doubt that soccer in America would not be where it is today without his incredible accomplishments playing for our national team.
“I know I speak for everyone who loves the sport in our rising soccer nation when I say how grateful we are for his service and how much we will miss him playing in Brazil.”
