The L.A. Galaxy man says both the USA and Mexico have proven themselves to be well beyond the two-leg second round about to begin.

"It doesn't seem fair that we have to play a home-and-home series just to qualify for the region's group stages," Donovan told FIFA. "If you look at our recent history in the qualifying rounds, and Mexico's too, it seems like we should be given direct passage to the groups."

However, resigned to the current reality, the speedster knows that the USMNT must now prove his theory on the field.

"The system is what it is and we just need to make sure that we are ready," concluded Donovan.