NEW YORK (AP) – Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber has criticized U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann for not selecting Landon Donovan for his World Cup roster and for saying Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley damaged their career by returning to the league.
Donovan was cut by Klinsmann in May and denied a trip to a fourth World Cup.
Garber said during a conference call with reporters Wednesday that “Landon should have been in Brazil” and “his treatment was inexcusable.”
Klinsmann said Monday that the returns of Dempsey and Bradley to MLS from European clubs make it “very difficult for them to keep the same level that they experienced at the places where they were.”
Garber calls Klinsmann’s remarks “incredibly damaging to our league” and “personally infuriating.” Garber says Klinsmann’s comments “send the wrong message” to players.