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8. Landon Donovan
Matthew Emmons - USATODAY Sports
After taking a hiatus, Donovan returned to the national team last summer during the 2013 Gold Cup, and his performance brought him back into the full squad when 2014 World Cup Qualifying started up again in the fall. However, Donovan’s performance in those qualifying matches was underwhelming, which has put his status with the national team in question once again.
Whether he says it publically or not, Jurgen Klinsmann is disappointed that Donovan didn’t pursue a transfer to a European club team, but because he didn’t he’s in camp with the national team surrounded mostly by young players. Donovan will likely be a part of the World Cup roster, but his role on the team is up in the air, and not even the greatest goal scorer in the history of American soccer will be guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup. Klinsmann will be watching him closely during camp, and Donovan will have to prove that he wants to be on the team, wants to be a leader, and can play at the level he’s played at during previous World Cups.