I like to think that I’m eloquent enough to start an article without needing a cliche. But, sometimes there’s no better way to say it. But with the various hashtags surrounding Landon Donovan’s final cap with the US Men’s National Team, I can’t help but jump on #LegenD. Heroes live forever. But Landon Donovan will never die.
The US tied Ecuador in Hartford, CT on Friday, with the US having the better of the play for most of the game. Klinsmann continued to tinker in the new World Cup cycle with several brand new faces, formations, and established players taking on new roles. This match served two roles. First, a friendly with two established teams trying new things with eyes on the future. Second, an (albeit planned after being scheduled) farewell to the greatest American soccer player of all time, Landon Donovan.
With one final match last past Friday, Donovan capped off a 15-year national team career with 157 caps, 57 goals, 58 assists, and 12,853 minutes played. He ranks first all time in US history in each of those categories with the exception of caps (Cobi Jones, 164). Donovan started up top with Jozy Altidore in a flat 4-4-2 and wore the Captain’s armband. The formation did change throughout the night. Donovan had a major role build up that lead to the US fourth minute goal, sending a cross into the box hoping for Altidore’s forehead. Altidore found the ball at the touch line, passed to Yedlin, who found a charging Mix Diskerude for the first time strike.
Donovan continued to be dangerous throughout the match, using his trademarked speed to find open pockets, and passing skills to give teammates opportunities. But the other players at times didn’t seemed focused on scoring so much as getting Donovan a goal. 25 minutes in, Diskerude found Altidore, who back-heel flicked it to a wide open Donovan, who streaked in and clanked a shot off the inside of the post. Mere inches from that night’s potential story book ending.
Donovan was subbed out in the 41st minute for Joe Corona. He passed the armband to Jozy Altidore, almost symbolically passing the torch to the younger generation. He made several stops for hugs, had what appeared to be a nice exchange with Klinsmann, and walked off into the red, white, and blue sunset, AO scarf, standing ovation and all.
I took a few extra days to let it all sink in before writing down my thoughts. This event was handled well by all parties involved, but there was some good and bad to it.
I thought Klinsmann did right by Donovan to call him in one last time. I don’t think this resolves whatever personal issues the two have. We’ll have to wait for one or both of their tell all books for the juicy details. Both were pleasant enough with the media and in their interactions in front of camera. It may have been all for show, but I like to think they were both willing to let it be water under the bridge if just for a moment to let what was happening on the field be the story.
I realize most testimonial matches are planned way in advance and scheduled at a good time and good location. Hartford, Ct is hardly the epicenter of American soccer, and isn’t that great of a market. I have never been to Rentschler Field, but I’ve never heard anyone rave about it. I realize this wasn’t an ideal situation. No one expected Donovan to miss the World Cup. We all would have thought had he made the roster, he’d have retired after the tournament. There weren’t many matches on US soil left in 2014 before he will retire. This was the best US Soccer had to work with. And they made it work.
They couldn’t have moved the game to LA or somewhere else of significance. Cuauhtemoc Blanco went out to a sold out Azteca crowd earlier this year. The reported attendance last Friday was 36,265, not even a sellout. They could have done a better job marketing the game, especially since they’ve known for over a month this was happening. This match could have and should have had a full house.
Unless you got there early, the parking situation was a mess. So much so, Klinsmann held Donovan longer than the 30 minutes he said he would, because supposedly fans were still filing in a half hour into the match (Charlie Davies episode, 2 minutes in).
As a Galaxy fan, I understand the complications and restrictions that come with having a match on a college campus, but US Soccer dropped the ball on this one. Even if they had no control over parking staff, the lots that were open, etc., they could have made more noise to fans about arriving early. They could have stretched out the pregame ceremony, or started the walk out a bit late. For the future, either avoid this situation entirely when you decide where to host matches, or get the word out about what fans should expect upon arrival.
A Lightbox collage of every US jersey during Donovan’s time with the national team. This gift was presented during the pregame ceremony to Donovan. A bit weird at first glance, but a unique and sentimental token of gratitude. Bonus points if Donovan is into Cubism art.
Inside the stadium, everything was handled well and ceremoniously. US Soccer put together a beautiful video tribute for Donovan, making his eyes water. He spent the second half taking on the magnitude of the evening on the bench. He was his usual articulate, honest, and matter of fact self in the post game. And he had a little fun with fans afterwards.
When asked what Klinsmann said to him after being subbed out, Donovan joked “he said he should have taken to to Brazil.” A little humor always livens the mood. Donovan appeared in good spirits and happy about the occasion.
Donovan concluded his USMNT career the way he had lived it. When the time came, he was focused on the task at hand. He was dangerous, creating chances for others, and getting up himself. His cross helped create the goal. One of his trademark passes almost lead to a second Altidore goal. He almost scored himself.
Even though he didn’t get the icing on the cake, he made way after 41 minutes for the good of the plan. There was still work to be done. Klinsmann had some new players he wanted to get minutes, some new ideas to try. This was a friendly, but it’s not too early to start looking at Russia 2014. Donovan had two days before a very critical match against FC Dallas. While it unfortunately ended in a loss, Donovan was ready to go. He played 90 minutes and was effective.
Donovan has always been very open and willing to share his feelings. He expresses himself as well off the field as he does on the field. He’s one of the most well spoken and articulate athletes in America. It’s what humanizes him and makes him easily relatable. It’s one of the biggest reasons I will miss writing about him. While he showed emotion tonight and teared up during the pregame, it wasn’t the emotional response one might have expected.
This isn’t the end. There’s still the fight for the Supporter’s Shield. There’s still a potential MLS Cup. This was the end of his time with the National Team, but the final goodbye has yet to come. I believe we’ll see Donovan’s true raw emotions then, on and off the field.
Donovan’s time as a USMNT LegenD is so powerful because it symbolized so many aspects of our country and US Soccer. He has always been vocal about his life pursuit to grow soccer in America. In his own tribute video, he mentioned his belief in himself and his teams to win, a very American theme. He was only captain for 19 matches, not that he remembers it that way. Early in his career, he was surrounded by veterans. Later, he was sandwiched between two regular captains in Carlos Bocanegra and Clint Dempsey.
This never stopped him from being great making those around him better. Regardless of his position on the field, he left his mark on the match. He’s one of the best passers I’ve ever watched. He knew how to unlock defenses, and he had the skill set to make it happen at the highest level.
It was his work on the field, personality off the field, and presence that made him the face soccer in America.
Landon’s one in-game fatal flaw may have been that he phases out at times, and thus his greatness is in those moments he pops up and creates spectacular moments. Some criticize him for this. Others say it is what makes him special, memorable, and LegenDary. It was his will and his timeliness that make him memorable.
When I look back as a fan, and a writer, at Landon Donovan’s national team career, I will remember the moment of greatness he had: Scoring a goal in his first cap, a goal to secure a win against Mexico in the knock-out round in the 2002 World Cup, his four goals in five MLS Cup finals, being a major part of the 2010 Confederations Cup run, getting to see him claim the MLS all time assist record in person, and of course his 2010 World Cup goal against Algeria.
His statistics are as mind-boggling as the collection of Kodak moments. He now leads MLS all time in goals (144) and assists (136). In 12 World Cup caps, he as five goals. Messi has five goals in 15 caps. In two loan stints with Everton, during those loans, Donovan lead the EPL in chances created per 90 minutes. Everton was a mid-table team both years.
If some want to criticize him for not killing it in Europe, that’s fine with me. Donovan does what he thinks is best and what makes him happy. He believes he’s at his best when he’s happy. His national team career went pretty well regardless.
Landon Donovan’s national team career isn’t an epic novel of detailed stories with a step by step plot. It’s a photo album of breath taking moments. He had another one of those moments on Friday, albeit a reflective one.
I like to think the Donovan photo album still has an empty slit or two. Another MLS Cup playoff run, maybe a trophy, another spectacular play we won’t soon forget. But even if it doesn’t, he’s created enough for me as a USMNT and LA Galaxy fan. The game of soccer is about the moments of brilliance when everything comes together. He’s created so many of those great moments that he’ll always be remembered.
Landon Donovan will never die.
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