LANDON DONOVAN will not play for the U.S. 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.
U.S. Soccer said Tuesday that Donovan - who has more goals and starting caps than any other player - will likely not be replaced on what was a 24-man roster for the upcoming qualifiers, first on Friday on the road against Antigua and Barbuda, then in Kansas City on Oct. 16 against Guatemala.
Donovan was injured while playing Saturday for the Los Angeles Galaxy. He was selected by U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann for these qualifiers anyway, and the team's athletic trainers wanted him to be evaluated one more time before he started training.
Donovan had scrapped plans for an MRI in Los Angeles on Monday because he thought his knee had improved.
"Landon was very optimistic over the weekend when his knee was feeling much better, but now he needs time to recover," Klinsmann said.
Brek Shea also was ruled out of the qualifiers because of an abdominal injury. Barring a change of plans, that means Klinsmann will take only 22 players to Antigua for what would seems to be a must-win match on Friday night.
It is not shaping up as an easy task, with three teams playing for two spots in next year's regional finals.
The U.S., Guatemala and Jamaica all have seven points after the first four matches of play in this qualifying round, while Antigua and Barbuda has one point. For the U.S. to reach next year's regional finals, four points - a win and a draw - would seem to be the most probable requirement.
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Brad Bates is the new athletic director at Boston College after 10 years in that post at Miami (Ohio). Bates succeeds Gene DeFilippo, who retired on Sept. 30 after 15 years in the position.
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Columbus Blue Jackets forward R.J. Umberger is returning to his alma mater to help coach the Ohio State men's hockey team during the NHL lockout. He will be a volunteer assistant to coach Mark Osiecki.
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* Rafael Nadal said he has been encouraged recently about his recovery from a left knee injury and hopes to soon resume practice.
