World Cup

[monks data]

Attendance: 51,227

World Cup | Round of 16

Jul 1, 2014 at 9pm UK

Belgium
2-1
USA USA

De Bruyne (93'), Lukaku (105')

FT
(aet)

Green (107')

Landon Donovan criticises USA's tactical approach

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 03 July 2014

USA veteran Landon Donovan criticises manager Jurgen Klinsmann's tactical approach against Belgium which led to the team's World Cup exit.

Landon Donovan has criticised manager Jurgen Klinsmann's tactical approach following USA's World Cup exit against Belgium.

The LA Galaxy forward, who was omitted from the 23-man US squad for the finals in Brazil, says that failing to overcome the Red Dragons in Salvador on Tuesday was a "missed opportunity".

Belgium came out on top 2-1 after extra time to set up a meeting with Argentina on Saturday afternoon.

"The thought of having a game Saturday – the day after the July 4, against Messi and Argentina, with what was already a swelling audience – would have been incredible," Donovan is quoted as saying by FourFourTwo. "It's certainly a missed opportunity.

"I think we're all disappointed in what happened [against Belgium]. I think the most disappointing thing is we didn't seem like we gave it a real effort, from a tactical standpoint.

"I thought the guys did everything they could, they did everything that was asked of them, but I don't think we were set up to succeed yesterday, and that was tough to watch."

The 32-year-old has featured in three previous World Cups - 2002, 2006 and 2010.