Donovan was the past. I think Klinsmann took the right approach, bring along enough young players so they can be the veterans come 2018, and now bring up the next wave of players to go along with them. I don’t think Donovan would have made one iota of difference.
Ask Spain about basing rosters on past performance.
I don’t know if Donovan would have been the guy. But the US needed a backup who could fill Altidore’s role when needed, playing a similar style.