A Look Back at Landon Donovan's Career Following Hints at Retirement
Nicholas Spiller
Landon Donovan has become the face of American soccer over the last decade and has starred for America in three separate World Cups, winning countless accolades including 4 MLS Cup Championships in Major League Soccer of America. Beyond these merits, Donovan has proven to be a valuable player abroad as well, most recently during a series of loan moves to Everton FC of the English Premier League.
However, at a relatively young age of 30, Donovan has hinted at a possible retirement amidst injuries and a declining love of the game. For one of the nation's greatest ever players to consider retirement at that age would be rather sobering, but the number of games that Donovan has played throughout his career is startlingly high, especially in recent seasons. Here is a look back at the impressive career of Landon Donovan.
Landon Donovan grew up in Ontario, California. Although he competed in gymnastics he was also a talented young soccer prospect, so Donovan was selected to train with the famous IMG Academy, a prestigious youth sports training facility in Florida that has produced many American soccer stars such as Jozy Altidore, Oguchi Onyewu, Michael Bradley, and Eddie Johnson.
Because Landon Donovan was so talented and promising in the game, he decided to forgo playing soccer in college, as most American players do, and instead opted to sign a professional contract with Bayer Leverkusen of Germany's Bundesliga at age 16. However, the young forward found few opportunities playing for foreign club and was often relegated to bit-part appearances.
However, in 2000 Landon Donovan received a call-up to the full American National Team after successful stints with youth national squads, including a fantastic performance in the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship. His first International appearance was a success where he scored a goal in a 2-0 victory for the USA over regional rivals Mexico.
Landon Donovan began to question his limited role with Bayer Leverkusen, especially now that he was beginning to make appearances for the full USA National squad so he requested a transfer move back to his home country. A loan move sent him to the San Jose Earthquakes of the MLS in 2001, where he found immediate success. Helping the Earthquakes to an MLS Cup Championship in his first season at the club, Donovan showed what he could do from the comforts of playing at home. It was a remarkable turnaround season for San Jose, who had been worst in the league the previous year.
Donovan has battled his share of adversity during his career though. In March of 2001, while playing a U-20 International match against Trinidad & Tobago, Donovan was involved in a terrifying collision with an opponent, Marvin Lee. The young man was paralyzed and later died as a result of the incident. Donovan came out with only a broken rib and continues to play to this day, but he has had to live with that accident ever since.
Landon Donovan's brilliant talent and good showings helped him earn a starting role in the 2002 World Cup for America. Donovan, still just 20, played remarkably well for the USA team that achieved a great run to the quarterfinals of the tournament, defeating Portugal and Mexico along the way.
Donovan found the net on several occasions in the tournament, his first was meant to be a cross, but it was deflected into the net by Portugal defender Jorge Costas. Donovan would later go on to score a more legitimate goal in a losing effort against Poland. The Americans eventually lost in the quarterfinals to Germany, but Donovan was selected as the Best Young Player of the World Cup.
Landon Donovan's game is all about speed and being direct. This has helped him be a very successful player despite his average height. He is typically employed as an attacking midfielder or winger as his shooting and quickness make him a dynamic weapon. Always one to score decisive goals and make an impact, Donovan has been a prized asset in American soccer.
After the World Cup, Landon Donovan continued to succeed in the MLS, where he won another MLS Cup with the Earthquake in 2003 and won several US Soccer Athlete of the Year awards. After a brief and frustrating return to Germany, Donovan secured a permanent transfer to the LA Galaxy, where he remains today.
The Galaxy won the MLS Cup in 2005, which was the third championship of Landon Donovan's career. However, a return to the World Cup in 2006 was not as fruitful as America was eliminated in the group stage, though they did manage a hard-fought draw with eventual World Cup champions, Italy. Donovan later helped America along to a Gold Cup victory in 2007, when he scored four goals in the tournament, including a penalty in the final match with Mexico.
2007 brought another dramatic shift as David Beckham signed with the LA Galaxy in a famous move to the MLS. The arrival was met with some difficulties for Donovan as he placated the captaincy to the English legend. Donovan has always been one to speak his mind publicly and he expressed a frustration with Beckham's commitment to the game in 2009 after several forgettable seasons and a loan to AC Milan.
Donovan entered into several loan arrangements himself with foreign clubs around this time. After a failed stint with Bayern Munich in 2009, Donovan utilized the offseason in 2010 to play for Everton in the EPL.
Joining up with fellow American goalkeeper Tim Howard, Landon Donovan excelled in England. Through 13 games, Donovan used his pace and skill to great effect. Helping orchestrate big wins over Manchester United and Chelsea, Donovan seemed to be player perfectly molded for the energetic English game. He was named Player of the Month in January for Everton but returned home again after a permanent deal fell through.
This would be a great period in Donovan's career as 2010 was another World Cup year. He scored three goals in the tournament, including a last-gasp winner over Algeria to secure victory of the group for America. The USA fell in the next round to Ghana, but it was an exciting tournament for the country. His scoring record of five goals in his World Cup career is the most of any American.
Donovan returned to the LA Galaxy and rekindled his relationship with David Beckham as the team went on to win another MLS Cup in 2011. Famous Irish striker Robbie Keane had joined the club and they powered through with the best record in MLS. Donovan would score the cup-winning goal in the final match.
Landon Donovan then returned to Everton for another short loan spell this past winter and had a great time with the club. However, his continued loan moves, international games, and playoff runs were providing a ridiculous number of matches for Donovan. This past MLS season has seen Donovan injured for much of the year, which has forced him to miss several key World Cup qualifiers for the American squad. Clearly he is suffering from burnout and it was very evident during his recent interview that the player needs some rest to get his mind and body back under control.
The LA Galaxy in yet again in the playoffs so Donovan is still playing this season, however, they could be near the end as they lost 1-0 to his former club and MLS top seed, the San Jose Earthquakes, in the first leg of their playoff match-up. American fans now fear his retirement amidst Donovan's questioning of continued play, but I feel there is hope yet.
Landon Donovan clearly needs a break from soccer, and he will get just that in a short time, regardless of how far the Galaxy goes in the MLS playoffs. 30 is far too young for players to retire, especially impact players of his type. With Donovan in the side, the USA will have a good team in the 2014 World Cup, and he will be a veteran leader.
Somehow, I don't feel like the legendary story of Landon Donovan is set to be finished any time soon.
© Nicholas Spiller & Soccerphile.com
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