Reflecting on Landon Donovan

When the LA Galaxy season comes to an end in 2014, so too will one of the most storied careers in MLS and U.S. soccer history.

In MLS, Donovan has accomplished everything there is to accomplish as a player. He has scored a MLS-record 138 goals and recorded 124 assists, has been named to an MLS-record 14 consecutive MLS All-Star games, the MLS Best XI six times and has won the MLS MVP, the Golden Boot and two MLS Cup MVP awards. From a team perspective, Donovan has won MLS Cup five times (2001, 2003, 2005, 2011 and 2012), the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (2005) and two MLS Supporters’ Shields (2010 and 2011).
At the U.S. Men’s National Team level, Donovan is the all-time leading scorer as well with 58 goals and 57 assists. He has made 156 appearances for the national team, good for second all-time. Donovan played in three World Cups for the USNMT and his five goals in FIFA World Cup matches are the most by any American player.

Landon Donovan, now in his 14^th season in MLS, announced yesterday that he will retire from the sport of soccer at the end of this season. With arguably the best player in U.S. soccer’s history calling it a career, members of the New York Red Bulls weighed in on what LD has meant to the game in the US.

Obviously, from a soccer standpoint, it’s a sad day. I’ll definitely echo what Tim Leiweke said, who was with him for so long, [and] that [Galaxy head coach] Bruce [Arena] said, it doesn’t surprise them, him making a decision like this. He’s always walked to the beat of his own drum. He’s made his decisions based on his true feelings. He’s been going at it for so long so he’s got to be tired. He’s one of the best players, if not the best player, to have ever played soccer in the U.S. I’m proud to have played against him [and] proud to have played with him on the national team, once or twice, and during all-star games. He’s really represented U.S. soccer in a phenomenal way over so many years. Whatever he does afterwards, I’m sure it’s going to be within the soccer world. U.S. soccer better take advantage of him.

On his favorite moment shared with Donovan

My first national team camp ... that might have been his first camp, we were roommates. He was this little kid with acne and a big smile on his face. Seeing [him] from that moment to where he is now, he’s grown so much and in so many different ways. I think I remember that little boy Landon, which is pretty cool.

Forward Thierry Henry

The Red Bulls are guaranteed to face Donovan at least one more time when New York makes a trip to the StubHub Center on September 28. Barring a meeting in MLS Cup, it could be the last time Donovan and another MLS legend, Thierry Henry, square off against each other. Coming out of the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday, Henry left to a raucous ovation at Providence Park and was replaced in the match by Donovan.
On Landon Donovan announcing his retirement

It’s weird because when you think about the MLS and when you think about U.S. Soccer, you think about Landon Donovan. The amount of games he’s played for the national team [and] the amount of goals, what he represents for you guys is a symbol. It was unexpected and you have to respect his decision. What a player he was and what a player he still is and he showed that [with] the way that he finished the pass the other night. The guy has quality. He will go down, for me, in history as, one of, if not the best player that you guys have ever had – or still have, for the moment, because he’s still not retired. It’s a shame for the game but you got to respect the decision of a guy that has done a lot for U.S. Soccer. It’s kind of weird now that I can say that I shared that little moment with him on Wednesday, I didn’t know at the time, but obviously now it was pretty special coming out for him, him coming [in and] scoring was a special moment. Unfortunately, I’ve never played at the club level but what a player he was and still is.

On a favorite Landon Donovan moment

Oh, just being him. You know what, I think people don’t actually know how good of a player he is. His awareness on the field and he’s not big, he’s not the type of guy you’d see in the street and you’d be like, ‘Oh, I’m going to be in trouble’. I’m saying trouble like when you see him running on the field, he’s not the type of guy that you’re like, ‘that guy must be powerful’ or technical, or whatever. He reminds me, in type of body shape, of [Barcelona midfielder] Andres Iniesta, because he’s the type of guy that you look and you’re like, ‘okay, I’m going to have an easy one today’ and then suddenly you don’t. His awareness, for me, is the key thing. He could assist a goal and he could obviously score. His awareness is what I like. He’s a clever player. He can kill you with his movement without touching the ball. He did it this year – I don’t remember which game it was – it was a cross [and] he let the ball go through for the guy. That’s the type of thing that people don’t realize. As you call it, soccer is not only about scoring goals and assisting. His awareness and the way he sees the game is amazing.

Red Bulls midfielder Tim Cahill had the pleasure of playing with Donovan at Everton in the English Premier League as well as playing against him in MLS. Cahill was also in Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game with Donovan.
On Landon Donovan’s retirement and if he has a favorite Donovan moment

No, I think Landon was a big impact at Everton but, I think, for Landon, it’s what he’s done internationally, not only domestically, and what he’s given to the game. You can talk about him for his goals and his assists but as an ambassador for his country, the legacy that he’s left, he should be up there as a legend of American football. My favorite moment was being on the end of his crosses [and] playing in the same team with him for Everton and seeing him at his best. People always question, ‘should he have stayed in the Premier League or gone to play a higher level’ [and] he’s shown that he can be the ambassador of American soccer all by himself and be the flagship, go-to guy that’s really carried the flag. From that, he’s passing the baton onto others and you have other great players like [Clint] Dempsey and Tim Howard and players like that. Overall, yeah, he’s definitely one of the best to ever put on an American jersey and it was just unfortunate not to see him his last time at this last World Cup, knowing now that this is his last season, which is sad but one thing I do know about Landon [is that] he does what he wants to do. He doesn’t care what people think. That’s not an arrogant thing, that’s actually him being a man and he’s got things that he wants to do in his future and he’s a good friend and, more importantly, he’s a great role model on and off the park.

On if he can relate to Donovan with Cahill being the face of soccer in Australia

Listen, I tell you what, the thing is it must be hard sometimes. America is a massive country and there are a lot of people to keep happy. I suppose Australia’s not as big. You can do what you do off the park but it’s done with actions and he’s always produced in every World Cup he’s played at and on the pitch domestically. It’s hard work but even the MLS All-Star weekend, it’s a big deal for the fans. You see that when you go out in the square; I thought I was just doing a podcast. I walk out and there’s just like thousands of people screaming. I said to [the Men in Blazers], ‘I’m Australian, are they even going to clap or boo or am I going to get a Clint Dempsey reception in Portland’ and we had a laugh. But the thing is that you have to interact. That’s why the Premier League works. That’s why any league works. Landon will tell you that it’s been hard but he’ll also tell you that it’s been some of the best moments of his life because he’s got a strong affiliation to grassroots, similar to myself, and he wants to put back in the game. You know he’s genuine so in the locker room, he’s a great guy, and for people who don’t really know him, he’s actually quite funny. He thinks he’s a bit of a comedian. You can’t say anything bad about Landon except for some of his dodgy jokes. He’s a credit to this country and I’m glad he gave me some help when I came over here to play in this league and what I was looking forward to.