World Cup: Jurgen Klinsmann explains surprise snub of Eddie Johnson from USMNT roster

mlssoccer.com ^ | May 12, 2014 | Nick Firchau

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When a confident, 22-year-old Eddie Johnson first stepped onto the field in Germany in 2006, few could have guessed that it would be his final shot at playing in the World Cup.

But that idea became a striking reality on Monday, when US national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann surprisingly left the D.C. United forward and resurgent USMNT star off the team's preliminary 30-man roster for the World Cup in Brazil.

There were other snubs as well – Brek Shea, Sacha Kljestan and even Tim Ream made their cases to be included in this week’s camp at Stanford University – but no name loomed larger than the 30-year-old Johnson, who enjoyed a career year with the USMNT in 2013.

He scored five goals in 17 appearances with the team last year and provided valuable goals in World Cup qualifying matches against Panama and Mexico. He earned Klinsmann’s praise for his athleticism and durability.

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Eddie Johnson sounds off on tricky transition to DC United: "I didn't have to run as much in Seattle"
Eight games into his first season with D.C. United, and US national team forward Eddie Johnson has yet to find the back of the net.

"Obviously, I feel like here we’re more of a pressing, hardworking team, and we can press the ball high up the field and win balls, be good in that area and break in our attacking half. Whereas in Seattle – and no disrespect to the guys that are here – I felt like I didn’t have to run as much because we had better guys that had more quality on the ball. I feel like the styles are completely different.”

USA World Cup 30-man squad: Eddie Johnson out, Julian Green in
Jurgen Klinsmann dropped veteran Eddie Johnson and called up teenager Julian Green when he named his preliminary squad for the US national team’s appearance at the World Cup in Brazil this summer.

The USMNT head coach has largely gone with the tried and tested players who guided the team through qualifying.

Bayern Munich's Julian Green made the 30-man roster,

Julian Green

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ExtraTime Radio: Why it will be a "scandal" if Julian Green goes to Brazil, plus revenge stories
Following a historic day for soccer in the United States, the guys gather to break it all down. They start with the US national team's provisional World Cup roster, with ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman around to help dig in and make sense of Jurgen Klinsmann's selections. Why isn't Eddie Johnson there after helping the US qualify? Will scandal ensue if Julian Green makes the final roster for Brazil?

[Berlin_Freeper]

Scolari 'to face criminal probe'
The coach of Brazil's national football team, Luiz Felipe Scolari, is to face a criminal investigation, reports from Portugal say, as he denies tax evasion.

Mr Scolari coached Portugal's national team from 2003 to 2008. The allegations are believed to be connected to his time there.