The United States men’s national soccer team is in danger of failing to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and it faces an almost must-win game against Guatemala on Tuesday night.
The U.S. lost to Guatemala 2-0 last week in a World Cup qualifying game, increasing the importance of the rematch. Another loss would leave the U.S. needing a miracle to qualify for Russia 2018.
Landon Donovan, perhaps the best American soccer players ever — he represented the U.S. in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cup tournaments before being controversially left off the 2014 squad by current manager Jurgen Klinsmann — recently told the Dan Patrick Show that the German coach should be fired if the USMNT loses to Guatemala again.
“If it were me, yes, if you can’t beat Guatemala at home in a World Cup qualifier, then you probably shouldn’t be the coach,” Donovan told Patrick. “It’s as simple as that.”
In Klinsmann’s defense, there’s absolutely no excuse for the USMNT to lose to the likes of Guatemala. The U.S. roster is superior in talent and depth.
Donovan probably is still bitter about Klinsmann leaving him off the 2014 roster, too.
But if the United States doesn’t qualify for the next World Cup (which hasn’t happened since 1986) or puts its chances in serious jeopardy by losing back-to-back games to Guatemala, someone will have to pay the price. Klinsmann would be an easy scapegoat.
Thumbnail photo via Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports Images
