5/23/14  -  The United States National Arena Soccer Team (USNAST) has invited US soccer star Landon Donovan to train with the team as it prepares for the Arena Soccer World Cup, which is coming to the US in March, 2015.

Donovan was a late scratch from the 23-man US World Cup roster as the team gets set to head to Brazil for the June outdoor soccer tournament.

Donovan has distinguished himself like no other player in US history, despite only being 32 years of age. Landon is the all-time US leader in international goals with 57, is tied for the all-time MLS lead in goals with 134, and has represented the US in the last three World Cups.

USNAST Head Coach Phil Salvagio thinks Donovan might be able to successfully make the transition indoors to help give the US team an edge in the six-a-side competition.

"Landon is a special athlete and I think he has the quickness and touch to excel at the arena game," said Salvagio. "We would like to invite him to come train with us and still have the opportunity to represent his country on the field in March."

Salvagio is also Head Coach of the San Diego Sockers in the Major Arena Soccer League, from where most of the US roster will be culled. The World Minifootball Federation Arena Soccer World Cup will be played in mid-March at indoor arenas across the country as well as Monterrey, Mexico, and Montreal, Canada.  

About Major Arena Soccer League and Premier Arena Soccer League The Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) is the top level of arena soccer in North America. The league was known as the Professional Arena Soccer League when it began play on October 25, 2008. The circuit concluded its sixth season with the Chicago Mustangs claiming the Newman Cup on March 16. On May 19, 2014 the league was reintroduced as the MASL with 24 teams in the US and Mexico. The Premier Arena Soccer League (PASL-Premier) just concluded its 16th season as the nation's top amateur arena soccer league and is the official developmental league of the MASL. Both the MASL and PASL-Premier are members of Confederacion Panamerica de Minifutbol (CPM).