Today is a bittersweet day for American soccer fans as we tip our hats to Landon Donovan, who announced he will be retiring from the sport after this MLS season. Arguably the best American to play the game, Donovan leaves professional soccer with two incredible records intact: as top goal-scorer in both MLS and in U.S. Men's National Team history.
Donovan has always been a class-act and today he showed nothing different. The news first came from his Facebook page, where he made the announcement and went on to describe the decision as carrying "mixed emotions."
Donovan singled out fans and thank them for everything they have done, “I want to single out the fans. You are the lifeblood of this sport and, without you, none of us would be fortunate to call ourselves professional soccer players in MLS.”
Landon Donovan has played for the Los Angeles Galaxy since 2005 and has been a true icon for MLS and US soccer. Even though he was not selected to represent the U.S. National Team at this year’s World Cup in Brazil, Donovan is still a respected player around the world and even yesterday at the MLS All-Star game he scored the go-ahead goal to beat the Bayern Munich powerhouse.
As the sport continues to grow, Landon Donovan will be credited as one of the players who put U.S. Soccer on the map. From his countless goals to many assists, Donovan is one of the best players (if not the best) to wear an American soccer uniform. Also, a fun fact about Donovan that Paul Carr from ESPN stated was, “Landon Donovan has 58 assists, more than the next three Americans COMBINED.” Just one other incredible feat accomplished by a true soccer legend. Along with the rest of the soccer world, we thank you LD!
Congratulations on a great career to @landondonovan as he announces he'll retire later this year. Part of EFC fabric. #ThanksLD
— Everton (@Everton) August 7, 2014
Thank you LD.. You're a legend. #LegenD @landondonovan
— DeAndre Yedlin (@yedlinny) August 7, 2014
Quite simply the best player ever to wear the #USMNT jersey. Congrats on an amazing career @LandonDonovan #ThanksLD
— Sunil Gulati (@sunilgulati) August 7, 2014
Congrats on a stellar career @landondonovan your impact will be felt for generations. #Legend
— Abby Wambach (@AbbyWambach) August 7, 2014