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Not nostalgic about Landon Donovan ending his USMNT careeer? You’re not alone

By Zac Wassink

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Landon Donovan’s soccer career is waning — not nostalgic? You’re not alone.

United States Men’s National Team living legend Landon Donovan is preparing to play in the final match of his historic career.

Actually, he isn’t. But more on that later. Donovan is, however, getting set to take the pitch for one last competitive USMNT fixture.

Actually, he isn’t.

Suggesting that this coming Friday’s United States vs. Ecuador contest will be a competitive encounter is like you attempting to convince others that your summer Sunday afternoon softball games are somehow significant. Friday’s game in East Hartford, Connecticut is

a cash-grab friendly

an opportunity for head coach Jurgen Klinsmann to send some youngsters out onto a field for a kickabout that will keep casual sports television viewers in this country entertained as they wait for the first pitch of the American League Championship Series to be delivered to home plate.

The harsh truth of the matter is that Donovan’s national team career unceremoniously ended earlier this year when he was left off of the final US World Cup roster. Kevin Baxter of the LA Times on Donovan being denied a final chance to play in a World Cup in a piece that was published last May:

"In many ways, Donovan’s omission wasn’t all that surprising. The Galaxy standout, who has appeared in more World Cup games (12) and scored more goals (5) than any American player, has been at odds with Klinsmann since taking a three-month sabbatical from soccer at the start of World Cup qualifying last year.Donovan said he needed a break after averaging a game nearly every eight days for a decade. And Klinsmann, who demands 24/7 devotion to soccer, used that to question Donovan’s hunger and commitment. The rift appeared to widen last month when the coach challenged Donovan’s fitness before a friendly with Mexico, then kept him on the sideline until early in the second half."

In one US Soccer press release, Klinsmann delivered on a promise to Donovan and to other American footballers: Be all-in for me, or I can’t be all-in on you. Your opinion on any spat involving player or coach is your opinion, but what’s done is done. Donovan didn’t get one final performance on the sport’s biggest stage because of his own doing. Nothing that happens on Friday will erase that from the record.

Donovan’s national team and Major League Soccer numbers speak for themselves. Upon retiring from soccer at the end of the 2014 MLS season, Donovan will possess several records that won’t soon be broken. Do those stats overshadow the fact that Donovan may not be even the greatest American player of his generation let alone of all time?

Maybe. Maybe not.

None of this is to lessen all that Donovan has achieved while wearing USA red-white-and-blue. Donovan remains responsible for the greatest goal in the history of US Soccer, a moment that will live on in highlight-reel packages so long as footage of the tally remains intact.

That said, this Friday’s game isn’t equal to Peyton Manning pursuing one more Super Bowl title. It’s not LeBron James taking the court in wine and gold for that first regular season contest after he announced this past July that he was returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers. It isn’t Derek Jeter stepping up to the plate in front of a raucous Yankee Stadium crowd one final time.

Rather, Donovan playing on Friday is comparable to Jeter taking his shortstop post for an inning and a half in an Arizona Fall League game before calling time on his career.

What won’t be mentioned during Friday’s television broadcast is that US Soccer won’t be involved in the most-important match occurring on American soil this weekend. 18 MLS clubs will participate in regular season fixtures that matter in the standings and in playoff races over the three-day period. The North American Soccer League will also be in action, with teams playing games that will actually count toward something other than who may or may not feature in the US senior team in 2015.

Remember, also, that Donovan isn’t going anywhere after October 10. He still has plenty of work ahead of him before entering the land of retirement. LA Galaxy have already qualified for the MLS postseason, and LA could win the Supporters’ Shield (best overall MLS regular season record). The Galaxy will, barring unforeseen events, enter November as favorites to hoist the MLS Cup.

Donovan will likely find himself on the list of MLS MVP candidates for 2014, and he may be more than just a sentimental choice for that award. Donovan will end the campaign leading the league in assists (he is on 19 as of the posting of this piece), and the Galaxy star has also notched 10 goals.

The final scenes of Donovan’s career won’t involve him saluting US fans following a 30-minute jaunt during an exhibition game. They could, however, include Donovan completing a press conference while North American club soccer’s highest award — the MLS Cup — is placed next to him.

Enjoy Friday for whatever it is for you, US Soccer supporters. Just be sure to save your goodbyes for later this fall.

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