Is there any way back for Salah in the Ballon d'Or race?

Treble-chasers to also-rans? How Atleti's season unravelled

Understanding Mohamed Salah 

Man Utd can't let Garnacho be the next Elanga or Rashford

Hugo Ekitike: The answer to Man Utd's striking problem?

Editors' Picks

Messi's bodyguard banned by MLS! Why Cheuko can’t help

Donovan expresses concern for Rodman's ongoing back issues

Mbappe comparison with ‘unique’ Messi rubbished by Lloris

 Garnacho has a stinker as excellent Elanga haunts Man Utd

Rudiger the hero! Madrid into Copa final after Sociedad epic

Howard, Donovan question Robinson's USMNT priorities

Man Utd set Antony price tag & plan to offload 10-players

Ex-Chelsea star claims cocaine stopped him winning Ballon d'Or

<ul><li>Donovan expresses frustration over attitude and effort</li><li>He calls out lack of pride in representing the national team</li><li>USMNT finished in fourth-place in Nations League</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

'Just going through the motions' – USMNT great Landon Donovan critiques current squad, questioning commitment following the CONCACAF Nations League losses

The USMNT's recent struggles, including losses to Panama and Canada in the Nations League, have raised questions about the team's progress and competitiveness on the international stage. That includes Landon Donovan as the USMNT icon has delivered a scathing review of the team.He accused many of the current squad members of not caring enough about representing their country, citing a perceived lack of effort and commitment in recent performances.“There were just too many guys out there who were just going through the motions. When I watch games, sometimes it’s difficult to accurately judge someone’s ‘desire.’ But you also just see what your eyes tell you. It was obvious in these games who cared,” Donovan <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6231309/2025/03/26/usmnt-players-dempsey-donovan-ramos-world-cup/?source=athletic_theathleticfc_newsletter&amp;campaign=12974501&amp;userId=2243837" target="_blank">told the Athletic</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED

“People used to hate playing against us,” said Donovan, the USMNT's all-time leader in goals and assists. “Even when we lost. We’d get beat 2-0 and you could tell the other team was still like 'F*ck, this game is going to be a f*cking nightmare.' Occasionally, though, we’d have a poor effort. And [Coach Bruce Arena] would say ‘Guys, a coach shouldn’t have to coach effort. That’s not my job.' Back then I thought that was ridiculous.“But now I think about it and realize he was spot on. The last thing Mauricio Pochettino should have to worry about is whether these guys are going to leave it all on the field or not. Leaving it all on the field - that’s been a hallmark of the American player since the mid-'80s. If we lose that, we are in big, big trouble.“We would not have let Canada or Panama beat us without it being an absolute bloodbath. I used to hate going into training camps, because I got the sh*t kicked out of me. The competition was real. We had real players who cared about the result and were always, without exception, willing to put themselves on the line to get a result. I can’t talk about who was more skilled or talented, but we were always responsible for the result. Right now, of course I’d take those teams over this current one.”

WHAT LANDON DONOVAN SAID

Donovan's criticism comes at a crucial time for the sport in the country, with the 2026 World Cup approaching and expectations for the national team at an all-time high. That is especially after back-to-back losses against Panama and Canada, as the USMNT finished fourth in the Nations League.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The USMNT will have upcoming friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland in early June. Their last bit of competitive action comes a week later as they co-host the 2025 Gold Cup alongside Canada.

WHAT’S NEXT?

'Just going through the motions' – USMNT great Landon Donovan critiques current squad, questioning commitment following the CONCACAF Nations League losses | Goal.com

Donovan among many former USMNT players critical of Nation League efforts, saying &quot;It was obvious in these games who cared&quot;

&apos;Just going through the motions&apos; – USMNT great Landon Donovan critiques current squad, questioning commitment following the CONCACAF Nations League losses