Landon Donovan is comparing the pathway to the 2014 World Cup to that of his debut tournament back in 2002.
LA Galaxy star Donovan was just a 20-year old when he took out the Best Young Player award in South Korea and Japan 12 years ago as the US made it to the quarter-finals.
The 32-year old was a walk-up start for the 2006 and 2010 World Cups for the US but today, the man who holds the US record for international goals scored (57) finds himself in a precarious position.
Donovan is no longer the main man within the American setup but he will leave no stone unturned as he strives to become the first US player to compete at four World Cups.
"This is my last chance at this," Donovan told USA Today from pre-World Cup training camp in Palo Alto.
"For me personally, I sort of liken it to 2002. In '06 and in 2010, I knew for the most part unless I was awful that I was going to make the team.
"This time is more similar to '02 where I wasn't sure. And so in that way, yes, it's as competitive as it's been for me personally in a long time."
Donovan's club form with the Galaxy has not hit the usual heights in 2014, failing to score in seven MLS outings, but there is no doubt that he is one of the most creative and capable players in the attacking half in Klinsmann's 30-man squad making him a 'must include' member of the 2014 USA World Cup roster.
