2014 MLS Cup
Landon Donovan Ends MLS Career With Another Cup
The most celebrated player in American soccer history said goodbye to the game on Sunday, winning a sixth MLS Cup in his final match and making it clear that he has no regrets about his retirement.
CARSON, Calif.—The biggest subplot leading up to Sunday’s MLS Cup was that it marked Landon Donovan’s final professional match. After the Los Angeles Galaxy emerged with a 2-1 win over the New England Revolution, Donovan felt great pride and relief at having won another title, but ultimately did nothing to change his mind about walking away from the sport at the age of 32.
"As much excitement as there is about the game, there's excitement that tomorrow I don't have to train anymore,” he said in his final press conference as a player. “There's a lot of good, and there's some bad.
"It feels good to go out this way."
Donovan had a fairly quiet game by his lofty standards. He had a nice flick in the 2nd minute to spring Robbie Rogers on a give-and-go that nearly resulted in a goal; earned a yellow card just before halftime for a harsh tackle; and made a few off-the-ball runs that might have led to some dangerous chances had his teammates found him.
Otherwise his biggest contribution was his versatility. He began the game at left midfield but later switched with forward Gyasi Zardes at halftime in an attempt to create matchup problems for the Revolution. He began overtime at right midfield after the Galaxy made a pair of substitutions to start the extra session.
“I didn’t have a great game,” Donovan acknowledged. “Being able to be in different spots is something Bruce (Arena, the Galaxy head coach) works with us on a lot in training. We start in certain formations and he moves guys around so they are more comfortable. I think we were a little better with Gyasi wide and myself up front. I feel like we were a little more dangerous.”
Most importantly he gets to go out a winner after lifting MLS Cup a record sixth time, breaking a mark he shared with former teammates Jeff Agoos and Brian Mullan.
"I'm in a little bit of a daze, to be honest," Donovan said. "There's a lot going on. Some obvious excitement, some sadness, uncertainty, and just pure joy for this team and what we did. It feels strange is the best way to put it. I'm just so proud of what this team accomplished this year."
Donovan wasn’t too dazed to joke with reporters, telling them at one point he had changed his mind about retirement—before adding, “Just kidding.”
He leaves the game the career leader in goals and assists for both MLS and the U.S. national team. Donovan is also the league’s all-time leader in playoff goals and assists and made the season-ending Best XI a record seven times, including this year.
“Landon has done the real shit in the game," Arena said. "He's done it all. He's got very little left to give. So I'm so happy that he's made this decision. He's able to go out as a winner, and don't we all wish to be able to leave what we do like the way Landon left today, as a winner?
“What more can you say? Can you write that any better, that script? So I'm happy for him. He's spent. He's done.”
Donovan’s admirers weren’t limited to the Galaxy. "It's tough that we were part of his storybook ending. He's great on and off the field. He does everything right,” Revolution coach Jay Heaps said.
Donovan isn’t sure what comes next. He turned pro at 17 and has hinted he’d like to go to college, something that no doubt would garner the approval of his mother, a teacher. He has also said he’d like to coach teenage players, and he experimented with broadcasting this summer during the World Cup. Networks will no doubt bid for his services. But while Donovan doesn’t have a definitive plan, he has a sense of relief and calm.
“There's no experience like what just happened," Donovan said. "So if you work a desk job or a nine-to-five job, there's no real experience where you get to feel that. And so I can't imagine that anything can replace that in my life going forward. I'm going to miss that greatly.
“And I think that's why a lot of athletes struggle after they retire, because you can't get that back. And so I have to be aware of that and know that and find other things that I'm passionate about.”
In the victorious post-game locker room Donovan’s teammates chanted, “One more year” while knowing and respecting that the veteran's mind was made up.
“I've always looked up to him," Rogers said, "so for him to start the adventure of his new life and whatever he wants to do—I'm just so happy he can leave the Galaxy with his head held extremely high.”
In a rare gesture for an athlete, Donovan took a moment to thank the folks who publicized his accomplishments and helped make him famous.
"Lastly, for all of you that have been around for a long time, and even a short time, I appreciate all you guys do for the sport," Donovan said. "I know it’s a professional relationship but a lot of you guys are out there and really care about [soccer] the way we do.
"And it’s been a long grind. I can’t think of many less glamorous jobs than being a soccer reporter in this country. But you guys are passionate about it and you care and we really appreciate it. So I just wanted to say thank you for all of that. I appreciate it.”
As do we.
Brooke Tunstall is an American Soccer Now contributing editor and ASN 100 panelist. You can follow him on Twitter.
Otherwise his biggest contribution was his versatility. He began the game at left midfield but later switched with forward Gyasi Zardes at halftime in an attempt to create matchup problems for the Revolution. He began overtime at right midfield after the Galaxy made a pair of substitutions to start the extra session.
“I didn’t have a great game,” Donovan acknowledged. “Being able to be in different spots is something Bruce (Arena, the Galaxy head coach) works with us on a lot in training. We start in certain formations and he moves guys around so they are more comfortable. I think we were a little better with Gyasi wide and myself up front. I feel like we were a little more dangerous.”
Most importantly he gets to go out a winner after lifting MLS Cup a record sixth time, breaking a mark he shared with former teammates Jeff Agoos and Brian Mullan.
"I'm in a little bit of a daze, to be honest," Donovan said. "There's a lot going on. Some obvious excitement, some sadness, uncertainty, and just pure joy for this team and what we did. It feels strange is the best way to put it. I'm just so proud of what this team accomplished this year."
Donovan wasn’t too dazed to joke with reporters, telling them at one point he had changed his mind about retirement—before adding, “Just kidding.”
He leaves the game the career leader in goals and assists for both MLS and the U.S. national team. Donovan is also the league’s all-time leader in playoff goals and assists and made the season-ending Best XI a record seven times, including this year.
“Landon has done the real shit in the game," Arena said. "He's done it all. He's got very little left to give. So I'm so happy that he's made this decision. He's able to go out as a winner, and don't we all wish to be able to leave what we do like the way Landon left today, as a winner?
“What more can you say? Can you write that any better, that script? So I'm happy for him. He's spent. He's done.”
Donovan’s admirers weren’t limited to the Galaxy. "It's tough that we were part of his storybook ending. He's great on and off the field. He does everything right,” Revolution coach Jay Heaps said.
Donovan isn’t sure what comes next. He turned pro at 17 and has hinted he’d like to go to college, something that no doubt would garner the approval of his mother, a teacher. He has also said he’d like to coach teenage players, and he experimented with broadcasting this summer during the World Cup. Networks will no doubt bid for his services. But while Donovan doesn’t have a definitive plan, he has a sense of relief and calm.
“There's no experience like what just happened," Donovan said. "So if you work a desk job or a nine-to-five job, there's no real experience where you get to feel that. And so I can't imagine that anything can replace that in my life going forward. I'm going to miss that greatly.
“And I think that's why a lot of athletes struggle after they retire, because you can't get that back. And so I have to be aware of that and know that and find other things that I'm passionate about.”
In the victorious post-game locker room Donovan’s teammates chanted, “One more year” while knowing and respecting that the veteran's mind was made up.
“I've always looked up to him," Rogers said, "so for him to start the adventure of his new life and whatever he wants to do—I'm just so happy he can leave the Galaxy with his head held extremely high.”
In a rare gesture for an athlete, Donovan took a moment to thank the folks who publicized his accomplishments and helped make him famous.
"Lastly, for all of you that have been around for a long time, and even a short time, I appreciate all you guys do for the sport," Donovan said. "I know it’s a professional relationship but a lot of you guys are out there and really care about [soccer] the way we do.
"And it’s been a long grind. I can’t think of many less glamorous jobs than being a soccer reporter in this country. But you guys are passionate about it and you care and we really appreciate it. So I just wanted to say thank you for all of that. I appreciate it.”
As do we.
Brooke Tunstall is an American Soccer Now contributing editor and ASN 100 panelist. You can follow him on Twitter.
