When news broke on Thursday that Landon Donovan had been left off the USMNT roster for World Cup 2014, the Internet basically had an aneurysm.
Twitter in particular exploded with every reaction imaginable, from name-calling, to whining, to anger, to applause for a decision well made. Depending on your point of view, Jurgen Klinsmann was either a national villain or hero.
Now that the smoke has cleared (at least, a little bit), The18 thought it would be fun to gather up some of the best Twitter responses to the "Donovan incident" and highlight them for posterity. Enjoy:
Winner: Most Honest Response
@MLS @J_Klinsmann Damn I was hoping to see Klinsmann with a black eye in this interview.
— Chris [LAG] (@ChrisV323) May 22, 2014
Winner: Most Direct Response
@J_Klinsmann Fuck you.
— Kevin (@90_kev) May 23, 2014
Winner: Most Enigmatic Response
@J_Klinsmann you go by many names
— David Tenenbaum (@DTenenbaum) May 23, 2014
Winner: Best Demonstration Of The 5 Stages Of Grief
1. Isolation
@J_Klinsmann Landon, you have ruined the World Cup. I can't describe how excited I've been. Following the team/players for 4 years. Now
— Alekz (@wac415) May 23, 2014
2. Anger
@J_Klinsmann I don't even care. I'm not excited anymore and I don't believe we can get out of the group. Thanks Jurgen...
— Alekz (@wac415) May 23, 2014
3. Bargaining
@ballincrazy @wwjoehd well said. I am sticking to the fact that LD should be on the roster. But I am focusing now on the 23 who made it.
— Alekz (@wac415) May 23, 2014
4. Depression
@vbgirlie have fun! I'm going to cry myself to sleep since Landon is going to the cup : /
— Alekz (@wac415) May 23, 2014
5. Acceptance
@ballincrazy @wwjoehd ok I was a little upset and overdramatic haha you guys have a point. I think I'm over it now. Let's hope Jurgen...
— Alekz (@wac415) May 23, 2014
Winner: Most Sarcastic Response
@J_Klinsmann I want to give a huge compliment to you being the worse thing to ever happen to USA Soccer
— Rick Decker (@1750agreed) May 24, 2014
Winner: Most Scientific Response
Gulati explains the Donovan decision: You see, World Cup trophy = triangle Klinsmann divided by triangle Yedlin pic.twitter.com/daGh1ILKZM
— Trevor Hayward (@HeyHayward) May 22, 2014
Winner: Most Patriotic Response
— Christian Miles (@christianrmiles) May 23, 2014
Winner: Creepiest Response
— Nick Chavez (@_nickchavez) May 24, 2014
Winner: Best Use Of An Infographic
Should Landon Donovan be going to the World Cup? http://t.co/Bbm3Y4ap1f pic.twitter.com/XweZbn05IM
— FiveThirtyEight (@FiveThirtyEight) May 23, 2014
Winner: Best Pop Culture Reference
No truth to the rumor that Landon Donovan has asked Jurgen Klinsmann for a Trial By Combat. #GameOfThrones #USMNT
— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) May 23, 2014
Winner: Most Accurate Reflection Of Public Sentiment
