4.25.13
Klinsmann Hints at Status of Donovan and Bocanegra
Two of the most seasoned U.S. internationals are also two of the biggest question marks for a squad that plays three World Cup qualifiers in June. Here's the ASN Morning Read update.
BY
John Godfrey
Posted
April 25, 2013
9:26 AM
Landon Donovan’s strong showing against Sporting KC last weekend inspired all sorts of excitement about the attacking midfielder’s potential return to the United States men’s soccer team. But don’t book your flight for Kingston, Jamaica, just yet, LD. “There are players clearly ahead of Landon Donovan right now,” U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann told reporters Wednesday at a media event in Arlington, Va. “We’ll see now how he will do in the next couple of weeks and months. We’ll look at the entire picture. And then make our calls.”
Klinsmann also offered a few words of career advice for Carlos Bocanegra. The former U.S. captain has struggled to make an impact with Racing Santander of the Spanish second division this season. If he returns to Glasgow Rangers this summer—which will compete in Scotland’s third tier in 2013-14—it could adversely affect his national team standing. “Rangers is Rangers,” Klinsmann told reporters, “one of the biggest clubs in history. But that division in Scotland, I’m not sure that’s where you want to be.”
As long as we’re on the topic of career advice, apparently Pepsi has a plan for Clint Dempsey. They think the Tottenham attacker should focus on rap music this offseason. (Stick to marketing your corn syrup-laden obesity water, fellas.)
Beckerman’s back…is covered in tattoos, and you can see them here. The phrase “Beckerman’s back” also applies to Real Salt Lake’s weekend match against the Los Angeles Galaxy. The United States international midfielder has missed a couple of games with a rib injury but is expected to be available for Saturday’s contest. “It’s feeling a lot better,” Beckerman told the Deseret News, adding that the key was taking some time to let it heal rather than constant testing and rehab. Beckerman will try to help neutralize the league’s deepest and most dangerous midfield.
Howard C. Smith/isiphotos.com
