The USWNT advanced to the final of the Women’s World Cup thanks to a 2-0 semifinal win over Germany on Tuesday, and Landon Donovan decided to use that as an excuse to take a shot at Jurgen Klinsmann. After the game, Donovan, who is the men’s national team all-time leader in goals and assists, took to his Twitter account to praise Abby Wambach and passively-aggressively zing his former coach.
Love the enthusiasm and veteran presence of @AbbyWambach despite not playing much. That kind of leadership is priceless during a WC
— Landon Donovan (@landondonovan) July 1, 2015
Wambach has been a fixture for the women’s national team since 2001. However, she has been a reserve for the last two games and has come off of the bench three times during this year’s tournament. If there’s a person who knows about being on the unfortunate end of tough coaching decisions, it’s Donovan, who was infamously left off the squad Klinsmann took to the 2014 World Cup.
Donovan has insisted he should have been among those playing for the U.S. last summer. To say his relationship with Klinsmann is frosty would be a bit of an understatement, so it’s not completely surprising to see Donovan take a shot at the coach.
Alexi Lalas, an analyst for FOX Sports (and former member of the men’s national team) saw Donovan’s tweet and took the opportunity to fire a reply.
Agreed. @J_Klinsmann should have taken @AbbyWambach. https://t.co/YSB2atDagU
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) July 1, 2015
This was followed by response from Donovan.
Haha. Still rooting for Germany? https://t.co/DLUd5IskP1
— Landon Donovan (@landondonovan) July 1, 2015
In the midst of the back and forth and shots fired, let’s not forget the U.S. women will be playing for their third World Cup title on Sunday, which would break a tie with Germany, whom they beat on Tuesday.
