The most decorated athlete in United States Men’s Soccer history has decided to hang up his cleats. Landon Donovan, currently the #10 on the Los Angeles Galaxy announced on Thursday that he plans to retire at the end of the MLS season.
"After careful deliberation and after many conversations with those closest to me, I have decided that this will be my last season as a professional soccer player," said Donovan on his Facebook page.
Donovan’s retirement will be a blow to the Los Angeles Galaxy who have been one of the perennial powers in MLS over the past decade, winning four championships with Donovan and two with David Beckham. The Galaxy discussed the Donovan retirement at a press conference on Thursday:
“We respect his decision to retire at the end of the season.” a tearful Bruce Arena head coach of the Galaxy said. “Landon Donovan is one of the most significant figures in the history of soccer in the United States.”
Donovan’s announcement was even more shocking to the soccer world as it came just shortly after he played in the MLS All-Star game against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night in Portland. Donovan replaced New York Red Bulls striker, Thierry Henry in the second half and immediately scored the winning goal, making him the leading goal scorer in MLS All Star game history.
In addition to the All-Star game goals scored record, Donovan has now played in a record fourteen consecutive MLS All-Star games and owns many other MLS records as well. Currently, Donovan is the MLS career leading scorer with 138 goals and is also the leading scorer in MLS playoff history with 22 goals. Both of those numbers should increase before the time Donovan retires as it looks like the LA Galaxy are headed back to the MLS playoffs and a run at another title.
Although Donovan’s achievements on the pitch for the MLS leave him in a class all his own, he is arguably most well known for his performance for the U.S. Men’s national team and his historic moments during his three World Cup tournaments. Donovan will retire as the all-time leading goal scorer in United States history with 57 goals, the most World Cup game appearances with twelve and the most World Cup goals with five. It’s hard to believe, but currently, Donovan has more goals in the World Cup than Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Neymar.
Donovan’s fame grew in the weeks leading up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil as he prepared to play in his record setting fourth consecutive World Cup. However, after a three-month long sabbatical that including a trip around the world and time reflecting in Cambodia, U.S. Men’s Coach Jurgen Klinsmann decided to cut Donovan before the World Cup began. The announcement and the aftermath that followed, set off a media frenzy and a debate that circumvented the globe on whether the decision was warranted or not.
“I feel incredibly blessed and lucky to have played a role in the remarkable growth of MLS and US Soccer during my playing career.” Donovan said at his press conference.
In a bittersweet moment before the LA Galaxy’s 2-2 draw with Donovan’s former MLS team the San Jose Earthquakes, the crowd took a moment to thank Donovan just before kickoff.
Only time will tell if Donovan’s retirement sticks or if he changes his mind and returns later on a la Brett Favre. Regardless, Donovan’s legacy will be one of an athlete who changed the landscape of U.S. Soccer forever. Donovan was one of the first ever players who forgo playing in Europe to grow the game here domestically and as the MLS league grows and blossoms, they will forever have Donovan to thank. Put quite simply, Landon Donovan is and forever will be United States Soccer.
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