U.S. Soccer Icon to Retire

Landon Donovan is the best goal scorer in MLS history and has been the face of the MLS for the last 10 years

A United States soccer icon, and the most recognizable and noteworthy face of the MLS is playing out his final season. Landon Donovan, perhaps the best men's player in U.S. soccer history, has announced that he will hang up his boots following the conclusion of the 2014 MLS season. Despite being only 32, Donovan has built up quite the resume.



Throughout his club career he played twice in the Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen and briefly for Bayern Munich as well as for Everton in the English Premier League. However, Donovan is most known for his play in the MLS both with the San Jose Earthquakes and, for most of the last 9 years, the LA Galaxy. He has won 5 MLS Cups and is the league's all time leading goal scorer with 136.

Donovan put a capper on his MLS career by scoring the game winning goal against Bayern Munich for the MLS in the MLS All-Star game, earning him game MVP for the second time. He is also a 2-time MLS Cup MVP winner and one time league MVP among several other awards and honors.
Internationally Donovan has also shined. Donovan is the all time leader in goals and assists for the U.S. Men's National Team and is the only American player to tally 50+ of each. He won the Best Young Player Award at the 2002 World Cup and is the most accomplished American scorer in World Cup play. Of course his most memorable goal may have been his injury-time game winner against Algeria in 2010 to send the U.S. through to the second round.

4 years before John Brooks' heroics, Landon Donovan played hero for the U.S.

Despite the controversy surrounding his omission from the 2014 World Cup roster, Donovan will retire as, if not the best, certainly the most iconic and recognizable, American soccer player ever.