Los Angeles Says Goodbye and Thanks to an American Soccer Legend

Landon Donovan in action during the Galaxy's 2-2 tie with the Seattle Sounders in his last home game ever with the MLS soccer club. USA Today Sports

By Duncan Day

October 20, 2014

6 minutes to read

CARSON, Calif. — In the fitting 10th minute of his last home regular season game against the Seattle Sounders, the LA Galaxy’s StubHub Center bellowed Landon Donovan’s name, paying homage to the greatest American soccer player of all-time on Sunday night.

“Landon!’’ one side of the arena chanted.

“Donovan!’’ a group of supporters bellowed on the opposite end.

Pregame ceremonies centered around the 32-year-old, with game highlights of his career running on the big screen, numerous signs and posters hanging around the stadium, and Donovan’s favorite vocal group, Boyz II Men, signing the national anthem.

Kevin Graham from Mission Viejo, Calif, lets out a yell during a pre-game salute to Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan.

“I keep using the word overwhelming. Maybe I need to go to college and learn some synonyms,’’ Donovan joked, describing his feelings about the sendoff.

“It’s incredible. It really is. And I’m so appreciative of all of it. It’s really a memory for me that will last a lifetime.’’

The 5-foot-8 midfielder still trotted about the pitch as if he was playing in any other game, and when the Sounders suddenly erased a two-goal deficit to grab a 2-2 draw, Donovan had a few words to describe his performance.

“I felt tired at the end. I think it’s been a long two weeks for me.’’

Longer than mere weeks, it was fifteen years ago when Donovan was a fresh-faced kid experiencing competitive soccer in Germany with Bundesliga club Bayern Leverkusen.

But life across the Atlantic just wasn’t right for the teenager, and in 2000, he came back to America, where Major League Soccer, despite its infancy, enticed him.

It was his chance to enjoy life domestically, and contribute to the interest of the sport growing in the United States. In turn, he rode out a five-year loan spell with the San Jose Earthquakes, making the best of his experience.

Donovan spearheaded his team to 2001 and 2003 MLS Cup victories, one of his more notable sequences coming against the Los Angeles Galaxy in the club’s first MLS Cup appearance. A bleach-blond Donovan rocketed a decisive one-timed goal into the top corner, and Dwayne De Rosario scored the late-winner.

The Earthquakes had won the first Cup in league history, but the spotlight was trained on the rising young star.

“The ’01 run was kind of (Donovan’s) coming-out party. I think he scored five goals in the playoffs and took the team on his back,’’ former teammate Ian Russell told the Earthquakes official website. “That was when everybody knew how special of a player he was.’’

After closing out his San Jose stint at the end of the 2004 season, Donovan, in addition to his championship victories, had won Man of the Match in an MLS Cup win against the Chicago Fire. He was also named US Soccer Athlete of the Year in his two final years at Spartan Stadium, displaying his prowess on the international scene as well.

In 2002, Donovan and a determined US squad ventured to South Korea to do battle on the world’s biggest soccer stage, and the World Cup welcomed the underdogs, while the California-native shined as bright as ever.

The United States achieved a breathtaking finish, advancing to the quarterfinals prior to an advanced Germany overpowering the squad. Even though the US produced some dangerous chances, the goal from Germany midfielder Michael Ballack quashed hopes of the American faithful.

On a wonderful note, Donovan was awarded the Best Young Player of the tournament, and hype surrounding the youngster rose to new heights.

“I think what I’ll always remember is that we witnessed a young man becoming a star, and it was exciting to see,’’ former national team manager Bruce Arena said to USsoccer.com, regarding Donovan’s breakout.

“He was a breath of fresh air in a U.S. player pool that lacked a lot of quality at the attacking end of the field. He is probably one of the first Americans that you could really see a big future ahead for him.’’

So, when the midfielder rejected a bid from English side Portsmouth and demanded to go back to MLS in 2005, the Los Angeles Galaxy gladly acquired his services.

Right off the bat, Donovan contributed to Los Angeles’ winning tendencies. His high-paced, direct style of play was effective at this point in time, but it wasn’t until 2008 when he was nearly unstoppable, a year after the signing of former Manchester United superstar David Beckham.

The 26-year-old American stole the show, notching a career-high 20 league goals, and the next season, he treaded European waters on loan to Bundesliga club Bayern Munich, where he gained fitness leading up to an eventual MLS Open Cup appearance. Donovan was granted the 2009 MLS MVP award, his first and only MVP victory.

Around this time, the Galaxy veteran prepared for a very significant event abroad: the 2010 World Cup. The US bowed out in the previous 2006 tournament, succumbing to last place in the group stage behind the Czech Republic, Ghana and Italy.

Now, Donovan and his teammates were hungry to prove themselves, wishing for a round of sixteen birth at least. Heading into the World Cup, they started to fulfill these expectations, beating world power Spain in the semi-finals and strongly challenging Brazil in the 2009 Confederations Cup Final. Donovan buried the second goal to give the US a 2-0 lead in the first half, but the Little Canaries stormed back to capture the 3-2 result.

Regardless, the United States qualified for the World Cup, and arguably the most compelling moment of Donovan’s soccer career occurred in Pretoria when he netted the stoppage-time goal against Algeria to cement his country’s first-place spot in Group C over England.

Donovan celebrates after scoring a goal with fellow team member United States’ Edson Buddle as Algeria goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi reacts during the World Cup group C soccer match between the United States and Algeria.

“I’m just shocked and so proud of our guys. Unbelievable,’’ a tearful Donovan told The Guardian after the match.

Ghana eliminated Bob Bradley’s squad in the knockout round of 16, though, to crush the Cinderella dream. Nonetheless, a veteran Donovan would have another crack at the World Cup, or so he thought.

Back to his club side, Donovan basked in accomplishment, winning consecutive MLS Cups in 2011 and 2012 and trying a second loan spell at Everton, which ended without an extension offer from the Toffees.

But America’s leader ultimately sought one prize: to seize glory in the World Cup.

Once his mid-career sabbatical from soccer had finished, Donovan missed three international games, apparently to the dislike of manager Jurgen Klinsmann.

Some say bad blood between the two men concluded with Donovan’s hugely-controversial exclusion from the United States’ World Cup roster in Brazil, and that belief could very well have some truth in it.

Although he dealt with it light-heartedly, starring in commercials making fun of his plight, the exclusion surely weighed on Donovan’s mind.

“It has been an honor and privilege to have represented the US National Team in three World Cups,’’ Donovan said in his official Facebook page following the omission. “I was looking forward to playing in, (and) as you can imagine, I am very disappointed with today’s decision.’’

And simply, or not so, the American legend decided to step away from his accomplished career, announcing his retirement from soccer this past August.

He would play the rest of the 2014 MLS season with the Galaxy, and US Soccer president Sunil Gulati revealed his intentions to honor Donovan in one final match, when the Klinsmann’s team would battle Ecuador in an Oct. 10 friendly match at Rentschler Field.

Donovan was given the captaincy in this game, playing 41 minutes before Joe Corona came on as a substitute. The crowd rose to their feet and applauded, giving proper thanks to the MLS and USMNT top goal scorer of all-time.

As the reflection period on Donovan comes to a close, his abilities on the field may not embody his true gift, however.

Rather, it’s his legacy and influence on others that matters, and Galaxy forward Gyasi Zardes, a gifted scorer indicative of US soccer’s future, brought that encouraging idea to surface.

“Landon’s taught me so much these past two years I’ve played with him, and I’m just so thankful to be a part of his history.’’

Los Angeles Galaxy fans hold up signs to celebrate the last home game for Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan during the first half his final home match of his soccer career.