Incredible some of you saying he's a whimp and quiting I don't see it that way. He broke the All-Time MLS goal record the first game back from being snubbed from the World Cup Roster He scored the game winning goals and became the MVP AND broke the MLS All Star goal record against the one team he had no success with and where all this bad blood with Jurgen started... Then the very next day he retires... He went out on top in my opinion. You can't write a better comeback. If we can pull out one more Title that would be icing on the cake. Honestly with all these rumors how he's not be in top form and such and such I think it's time for him to hang it up, he just seems exhausted, I'd rather see him retire on top like this then keep tarnishing this new reputation that he's lazy. All Time National Team Goal Scorer All Time MLS Goal Scorer All Time MLS All Star Goal Scorer ThanksLD
So with no more expectations on his shoulders, and a free clear mind, does LD go out in a blaze of glory?
He quit on you guys. On the other hand, he lead us to 3 MLS Cups (and 4 finals appearances) and the only 2 legitimate Supporter Shields in league history. While letting us watch him shatter almost all the MLS stat records. And is graciously stepping down before his play deteriorates to sub-DP level, so as to not leave our team at a disadvantage with a DP contract tied up to a player who no longer can bring it (what we call around here a "Juan-Pablo"). So I'd say he did the farthest thing from quit on us.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if his sudden uptick is playing quality recently coincided with his decision to retire and realization that he can just play all-out this year and enjoy himself and go for it….
"The last thing that he told us is 'I want to go out a champion.'" Robbie Rogers on Landon Donovan's address to the #LAGalaxy. #ThanksLD— Adam Serrano (@AdamSerrano) August 7, 2014
Donovan has always been quite mature for his age. At 18, in interviews, he sounded like a 25 year old. His mental age now must be around 40, in my estimation. Can you imagine being that old, and having to be around kids all day? It'd be as me going back to college, now that I'm nearing 50. It'd feel wrong, I'd be completely out of place. At some point the realization comes that you cannot just be playing all your life. There are more things to the world. I wouldn't be surprised if he takes a total break from football, and dedicates himself full-time to one of his charity causes, for a year or two.
I second this. He's the reason I came to love the sport, USMNT and LAG. Pretty powerful figure in that respect.
I'm envisioning the build-up to MLS Cup: the opposition starts complaining about all the attention focused on LAG and Donovan's retirement, instead of the game.
Wow.... at 32 Landon. This is just such a weird announcement. He could have announced this at the start of season to do a big whirlwind tour to let the fans come out and bring big attendences to the other stadiums to say goodbye, and thankyou. I just don't get this... it all sounds rushed. He cutting out with 2 more years left on his contract. The team will be losing him and possibly Robbie Keane this season or for sure next season. And I can't help think... BA could wanna walk too. I just don't know why he feels he has nothing else to play for. If not here, not abroad for a year or 2. Please don't let him get delusions of grandure at working on ESPN, because that place is littered with hot air windbags who ultimately are a bunch of has beens and never were's, and not the the Greatest American Soccer Player ever. Either way... this buttf*cking awful news. Now the pressure on the team to send him out a winner is going to be immense and insane.
Couple more great tweets from other players. LD retiring... Defenders will be able to sleep a little more peacefully starting next year... Thanks to the best.. #landondonovan #MLS— Drew Moor (@drewmoor) August 7, 2014 .@landondonovan An amazing player & even better person. It’s been an honor to both watch & play along side you. Wishing u the best. #Legend— herculez gomez (@herculezg) August 7, 2014
I guess he hadn't fully decided at the start of the season and Klinsmann dropping him for the WC made him decide it was time. ....Off topic for a moment: I've just found myself looking at a Bigsoccer ad for an authentic 2014 Galaxy home jersey with LEONARDO on the back for $140.45! Why so much? Is it magic? Does it render the wearer catatonic when anybody stands next to them with a ball at their feet?
I am dying and can't express words right now. Glad to see all the accolades and well wishes he's receiving on Twitter. #LegenD Been a privilege to watch him all these years. And I'm SOOOOOO happy we had already bought our tickets for the match in Dallas in October.
I have been a Landon fan since he was 19 playing for SJ. It feels like a retirement 2 years too early. I wish him the best and hope that he can help the USA produce more players like him.