Robbie Keane said that he was as surprised as anyone by Landon Donovan's shock omission from the United States World Cup squad, calling him Monday "the face of US soccer."

Keane and Donovan play up front together in the MLS for Los Angeles Galaxy but neither will be in Brazil because the Irish failed to make it and Donovan was controversially dropped by US coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

Donovan, 32, a veteran of three World Cups, last month underlined his continuing prowess by becoming Major League Soccer's all-time leading scorer with a brace in a 4-1 win over Philadelphia.

His failure to make the United States squad was greeted with disbelief by US fans and media -- a sentiment shared by the evergreen Keane, 33.

"Everyone was surprised because he's a top, top player," Keane said, ahead of the Republic of Ireland's friendly in New Jersey, in the United States, against World Cup qualifiers Portugal.

"He's the face of US soccer.

"I can only judge him on what he's done at the LA Galaxy since I've been here, and he's been absolutely fantastic this year."