Landon Donovan not on U.S. roster for friendlies

Nov 7, 2013; Sandy, UT, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan (10) waits to take a free kick during overtime against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won the game 2-0 in overtime and won the series on an aggregate score of 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

In the upcoming friendlies against Scotland and Austria, the U.S. national team will be missing  one of U.S. soccer’s biggest stars, L.A. Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan.

ESPN is reporting that Donovan, along with MLS players Graham Zusi, Matt Besler, Brad Davis, Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando, have been omitted from coach Jurgen Klinsmann 23-man roster for the upcoming friendlies.

U.S. Soccer said in a statement that Donovan, goalkeeper Brad Guzanand, and defenders Edgar Castillo and Clarence Goodson are all “nursing injuries and not available for selection.”

Klinsmann added the following, via ESPN:

"The results in MLS wound up fitting in with our roster plans, so we didn’t need to call in any guys who are still in the playoffs. There are some injuries issues that now give other players the chance to step up."

Donovan did not play well in the World Cup qualifier against Jamaica on Oct. 11, and was dropped from the roster for the next match against Panama. He returned to the Galaxy on Oct. 20, appearing in all three of their playoff games, but did not score any goals. The Galaxy’s bid for a third consecutive MLS Cup was ended by Real Salt Lake last week.

“We are excited about the group we have coming in and the big opportunity to finish the year on a high note,” said Klinsmann. “We want to use these games to prove a point and see that our players are continuing to improve as we build towards the World Cup.

The U.S. will play Scotland in Glasgow on Nov. 15, and then play Austria for the first time since 1998 on Nov. 19.

The complete roster is as follows:

Goalkeepers (3): Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire)

Defenders (7): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest), Michael Orozco (Puebla)

Midfielders (7): Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Roma), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Brek Shea (Stoke City)

Forwards (6): Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)