Yep. Let's not forget that Donovan came into the league right as we were about to contract teams and the leagues viability was in doubt. He was the face of the league and bridged MLS 1.0 to 2.0 and perhaps into the infancy of 3.0. And happens to own almost every league record. End. Of. An. Era.
Haven't been on here in forever. This dragged me out. Wish him well. Knew this was coming and I'm sure we will be fine next season. Right now it sure does suck though. Thanks LD for help making US Soccer and the Galaxy better than when you came onboard. All we could ever ask for.
Woke up and see this news (. Super sad but I wish him well in whatever he does after this season. I'm glad I got to see him play in person and that's something I can tell my future children . #legend
Another FO bomb, because our talk right now should be about his legacy. Instead, I'm left disappointed that we were expecting the announcement of a solid signing and am left stunned that this is the news we get instead. Terrible handling of the situation. We're starting to look downright incompetent.
And then some. Sad news. One more Supporter's Shield and MLS Cup would be the only appropriate send-off!
dammit landon I knew this would eventually happen but why so soon? You are a hero to millions. I grew up watching you play. Don't make a grown man tear up.
This is a big time disappointment for me on a personal selfish level I wanted LD10 to continue till at least 35-36 years of age. I am feeling like the very life has been sucked out of me and it's at the same time very surreal. I know that the name in front of the jersey is always going be more important than the name in the back of it, But to me the name DONOVAN and LA GALAXY are synonymous! I hope that he lives life to the very fullest and enjoys whatever else he decides to try in life. I sincerely hope LAG does NOT retire the #10 jersey it should be a symbol of excellence and privilege that only the very best footballers can wear to do it any justice, it should be a longstanding tradition of heart and commitment to championships that the next generation of players will have to accept in order to have the honor to put that shirt on. I'm proud to have called Landon Timothy Donovan my club's captain and my nation's GOAT! The pride of Ontario California, The pride of Los Angeles Galaxy and the pride of the United States of America the greatest country in the world and the history of the world! #CaptainAmerica4ever!
I was going to predict this yesterday, but talk is cheap. I'm not surprised, considering the Cambodia thing. Also, he is building his dream house in Yucaipa, in the hills just outside Redlands where he grew up. Going back to his roots. Landon, go get married and have a brood of kids who can join the Galaxy in 20 years and kick ass. We'll see him commenting next to Lalas in no time flat.
WTF? Didn't he just sign a multi-year extension? F! We were expecting a big name signing and we get this? Heart breaking. Only silver linings: This should stoke the boys' fire to try to win the SS and Cup. Attendance will skyrocket for the rest of the season.
I thought he may have 1-2 years left in him but like Dawdler said, the passion is probably gone so why sandbag it and rob the fans of expectations? As jmaestro said, "He owes no one anything." All good things must come to an end. Who knew it would be so soon?
I was sad to see other Galaxy legends like Cobi Jones, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Kevin Hartman, etc go, but nothing hit me like the reality of this. It's funny because before he joined up with LA and when he was leading San Jose to the only tittles they've won (and hopefully ever win) I used to hate the guy (despite his US national team performances, but over the past 9+ years he's grown into the only player i've really, truly and deeply cared about. Back in highschool in Moreno Valley, we actually played against Donovan the one year he played as a freshmen for Redlands East Valley (my senior year), we beat them, which is nice, but also makes me feel incredibly old that he's now had a long, unforgettable and untouchable career. I wish him the best of luck, maybe he'll want to sign up for a Galaxy youth team job (since he's said he has no desire to coach pros, he'd rather work with kids), or at the very least maintain a close relationship with the team. He is THE Galaxy legend, he's lead the team to 3 of it's 4 titles and carried them for many more years. Thank you Landon, you will be missed. Now let's kick the shit out of the rest of the teams this season and make it #5.
Well this is going to make it tough for LD to set the MLS assists record. I can't believe he's retiring at 32.
So bummed. LD was the first soccer name I came to know. He brought me to the Galaxy. He is my favorite athlete of all time. I don't want it to be true.
We need to get a kick starter going to get this built in bronze at the SHC. Imagine taking a drink from that fountain!
One of my favorite memories of LD. When he was with SJ at a game at the Rose Bowl. Faces covered for privacy.