The L.A. Galaxy paired Donovan with David Beckham in 2007 in a move that could have been disastrous but ultimately launched MLS into a new era. In the beginning, Beckham’s star power seemed destined to wipe out the Galaxy chemistry and ostracize Donovan. Instead, Donovan made Beckham captain.
Together, the pair led the Galaxy to consecutive MLS Cups in 2011 and 2012 and gave the rest of the league a blueprint to follow for blending premier European talent seamlessly. Players like Thierry Henry, Jermain Defoe, David Villa and Frank Lampard have followed in Beckham’s wake. Without Donovan’s support, who knows what the MLS landscape would look like now?
He had more international goals and assists than any player in U.S. soccer history. None was more breathtaking than the injury-time strike against Algeria in the 2010 World Cup. With that goal, the U.S. went from out of its group into the second round, and Donovan went from great player to living legend.
It would be his last great World Cup memory. The U.S. lost its next match to Ghana, and Donovan was cut from Jurgen Klinsmann’s 2014 roster. Donovan seemed at odds with Klinsmann in recent years. A three-month sabbatical from soccer in 2013 for burnout and mental fatigue didn’t help matters.
Despite being denied the World Cup sendoff he deserved, Donovan has not lost his flair for the dramatic – and the goal.
On Wednesday night, the 32-year-old shredded the Bayern Munich defense for 23 minutes in the MLS All-Star Game, hitting the game-winning goal with his final touch of the match. As Donovan jogged off the pitch in the 70th minute, he received a standing ovation from a crowd that was unaware this would be the last time they would see him in an All-Star setting.
MLS undoubtedly will give Donovan an epic sendoff in the coming months, as the season lurches toward the playoffs. The league will be hard pressed to do Donovan’s career justice. How do you pay tribute to someone who has done so much for the sport?
Donovan’s departure leaves a vacancy that will not be soon filled, if at all.
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