Have you ever played sports? How could you be OK with your coach saying, "next time, guys." What a loser attitude. This is not the same as cutting a vet in training camp to bring along a draft pick or a 2nd year guy, which you are right in that it happens every year. The WC is one time every four years that the country cares about soccer -- we should be putting our best product on the field regardless of whether or not we think we can win. We have no idea what Green or Johannsson will looked like in 4 years; they could both flame out or one could suffer a terrible injury and be done with soccer ala Charlie Davies. As Herm said, you play to win the game.
Klinsmann specifically said he viewed Donovan as a striker at this point in his career, and that Green, Johannsson, and Wondo were slightly ahead of him in terms of form. That's total garbage. And if you think Donovan should be playing Dempsey's spot, what happens if 15 minutes into the game on Sunday Dempsey is having trouble breathing because of his broken nose? Who are you putting in then?
This is where we differ and why we won't agree. I played and I coach to win. You're OK with accepting a lesser product on the field now if it means there's some slim possibility sitting on a bench this year may give a young guy some small added benefit in 4 years. I'm not. Donovan is versatile and would be a huge asset to the team right now. We get 3 games, maybe 4 or 5 every 4 years and I want to see our best players on the field.
