DONOVAN RETIRES FROM FOOTBALL FINALLY
28 Apr 2017
USA Soccer legend Landon Donovan has called time on his footballing career.
The MLS star said the retirement is from professional football and that it is with immediate effect. This is not the first time he is retiring. He did two years ago but then he came out of it to help his struggling former club Los Angeles Galaxy in the Major League Soccer.
“Yeah, I’m done. No more playing for me. I have not [gone public]. But that is definitely the case. I can’t even chase my son around the house, so I don’t think so,” Donovan said, responding to queries on if he would continue.
The 35-year old earned 157 caps for the national team, netting a record 57 goals. Clint Dempsey is likely going to break this record after his 39th minute goal in the game against Panama City on March 29. The US played a 1-1 draw in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers Hexagonal stage. It was Christain Pulisic that stole a ball before he fed Dempsey for his 56th international goal but Gabriel Gomez quickly leveled proceedings. Dempsey is one goal away from breaking Donovan’s goals’ record.
Donovan started his career with Bayer Leverkusen after an impressive display at a youth tournament. He played on a loan deal at San Jose Earthquakes where he lifted two MLS Cups. He eventually featured for Leverkusen’s senior team in 2004/05 before returning to the MLS on a permanent basis. He played nine games without a breakthrough so he opted for LA Galaxy.
Donovan played for German champions Bayern Munich in 2008/09 but struggled to find his feet again. He played for Premier League side Everton in 2009/10 and 2010/11. He barely scored goals but he was involved in the team’s play, earning the admiration of the fans. He won titles with LA Galaxy and he lifted four CONCACAF Gold Cup with the US team.