By Elaine Donnelly
Extending sexual misconduct to combat units
Landon Donovan was left off the 29-man U.S. roster for a training camp ahead of a trio of World Cup qualifiers next month. But American coach Jurgen Klinsmann anticipates he will rejoin the team at some unspecified point.
Tim Howard remains the No. 1 American goalkeeper despite two strong games by Brad Guzan in World Cup qualifiers last month.
Donovan, whose asked club coach Bruce Arena for an extended offseason after the Galaxy's MLS Cup triumph early last December, said Thursday that it will take some time to regain his form.
The 33-year-old Bocanegra, captain since 2007, has lost his starting job with Racing Santander in Spain's second division. He was in the U.S. squad for the 2-1 loss at Honduras last month in the final round of qualifying but didn't play.
The 30-year-old midfielder and forward, a veteran of three World Cups with the United States, had said last fall he was uncertain whether he wanted to continue playing.
Clint Dempsey put the Americans ahead in the 36th minute but the Americans, using a new-look defense that featured Omar Gonzalez and Timmy Chandler, gave up the lead when Juan Carlos Garcia tied the score in the 40th at San Pedro Sula.
The 30-year-old midfielder, a veteran of three World Cups and the American career leader in goals and assists, is taking a break from soccer following the Los Angeles Galaxy's second straight Major League Soccer title.
Defender Timmy Chandler is among 24 players selected for the United States' World Cup qualifier at Honduras on Wednesday and is set to make his competitive debut for the Americans.
With injuries to Steve Cherundolo and Fabian Johnson, and Danny Williams' lack of playing time, the U.S. has defensive worries heading into next week's World Cup qualifier at Honduras, the opener in the final round to get to next year's tournament in Brazil.
If Omar Gonzalez has absorbed one lesson over the past year, it's that the fast track to stardom isn't without its hurdles.
For the past six years, whether or not their play justified it, the Los Angeles Galaxy have been branded as America's answer to the superclub. In the parity-driven culture of MLS, the presence of international icon David Beckham and American star Landon Donovan put them a cut above the rest in terms of sheer talent, name value and exposure.
David Beckham will announce the next stop in his soccer career near the end of the year. Until then, he's focusing on winning one more trophy with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Mix Diskerud scored his first international goal in the third minute of injury time, giving the United States a 2-2 tie against Russia on Wednesday in an exhibition game at Krasnodar.
With the World Cup qualifying standings a mess, the U.S. national team has found a way to simplify things: win and win.
Landon Donovan will not play for the U.S. national team in a pair of upcoming World Cup qualifying matches because of an injured left knee, adding to what will be a pressure-filled few days for the Americans.
He acknowledged winning over national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann may be a tougher task.
Landon Donovan ready to work way back to U.S. national team →
"It was fantastic," Donovan said of the game, just the second time the U.S. secured a point in Mexico in World Cup qualifying. "I was so proud to watch, so proud to be just an American fan. Forget about a player or a teammate."
Landon Donovan ready to work way back to U.S. national team →
