Donovan Warns Pulisic & USMNT Absentees With Diego Luna's Example- 'Be Careful'

Landon Donovan praises Diego Luna's attitude with the USMNT

Diego Luna has been the standout name for the USMNT so far, scoring three goals in the knockout stage. But before earning a spot in the starting lineup, he had to fight for his place. In a friendly against Costa Rica back in January, Luna broke his nose — but refused to leave the field. For him, it was his one shot to prove to Mauricio Pochettino that he belonged on this team.

“Diego Luna — a young man — broke his nose in a friendly in January. They told him, ‘You need to come out of the game.’ And he said, ‘I’m not coming out of the game. This is my one chance.’ Next thing you know, he started every game in the Gold Cup. If the roster were announced tomorrow for the World Cup, he’s one hundred percent on it — and he came out of nowhere." - Donovan said.

For Landon Donovan, playing for the national team is an honor — and no player should choose to opt out. In special cases, like Tim Weah and Weston McKennie, there’s little that can be done, as both were still on duty with Juventus during the Club World Cup. Fulham defender Antonee Robinson also missed the tournament due to knee surgery.

In the case of Christian Pulisic and right-back Sergiño Dest, both opted out for personal reasons — a decision Donovan sees differently. 

“That’s what it means to play for your national team. It just means more. It has to mean more. If you’re not willing to do anything and everything to win the game with your national team, then you don’t deserve to be there.” 

The USMNT will face Mexico in the Gold Cup final on Sunday. After the tournament, a few additional matches are scheduled, and there’s a chance Christian Pulisic and Sergiño Dest could be called up. With European clubs set to begin preseason preparations in the coming weeks, the window for national team involvement is quickly closing.