By ,
Published November 20, 2014
Landon Donovan has pulled out of the U.S. national team squad for its friendly match against France on Friday, opting to remain with the Los Angeles Galaxy ahead of its MLS Cup title match on Nov. 20.
"The plan was to have Landon come in for the match against France and then return to the L.A. Galaxy in preparation for MLS Cup," U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said in a statement, "but after further discussion, Landon expressed his desire to stay in Los Angeles.
"While my preference was to have Landon with us for this important match, I respect his decision. I'm very happy with the progress this team is making and the commitment they have shown in each and every camp. We look forward to the challenge of the next two games."
After Friday's match at the Stade de France, the United States will travel to Ljubljana to face Slovenia. The U.S. national team arrived in Paris on Monday for a four-day camp before it squares off against the 1998 Wold Cup winners.
No replacement for Donovan has been named yet, according to U.S. Soccer.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/donovan-withdraws-from-u-s-friendly-to-remain-with-galaxy