Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Landon Donovan

Discover the career path of Landon Donovan, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Landon Donovan, widely regarded as the greatest U.S. men's soccer player of all time, is a former professional player and coach. He holds the world record for international assists (58) and is tied for the most international goals scored by a U.S. male player (57). Donovan's achievements include winning a record six MLS Cups and being the league's all-time assists leader with 136. In recognition of his impact, the Major League Soccer MVP Award has been renamed the Landon Donovan MVP Award.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1999: Signed for Bayer Leverkusen

In 1999, Landon Donovan, an early soccer product of IMG Academy, signed for Bayer Leverkusen.

2000: Senior Debut for United States

In 2000, Landon Donovan made his senior debut for the United States men's national team.

2001: Loaned to San Jose Earthquakes

In 2001, Landon Donovan was loaned to the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer (MLS).

2002: World Cup Debut and Best Young Player Award

In 2002, Landon Donovan debuted at the World Cup finals, starting in a match against Portugal. During the tournament, Donovan scored against Poland and Mexico. Following the U.S.'s quarter-final loss to Germany, Donovan was named Best Young Player of the tournament.

2002: FIFA World Cup Quarter-Finals and Best Young Player Award

In 2002, Landon Donovan starred in the U.S. team that reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup, where he received the Best Young Player Award.

2003: Won Supporters' Shield

In 2003, LA Galaxy won the Supporters' Shield. In 2010, LA Galaxy won the Supporters' Shield for the first time since 2003, with Landon Donovan scoring seven goals and a team-high 16 assists.

January 2005: Returned to Bayer Leverkusen First Team

In January 2005, Landon Donovan returned to the Bayer Leverkusen first team but requested to leave the club after limited playing time.

2005: Moved to Los Angeles Galaxy

In 2005, after six years with Bayer Leverkusen with loan stints at San Jose Earthquakes, Landon Donovan moved back to the United States to sign with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

2006: 2006 World Cup

In 2006, Landon Donovan participated in the World Cup, but he was widely criticized for his performance as the U.S. was eliminated in the group stage.

2007: 2007 Gold Cup Title

In 2007, Landon Donovan led the U.S. to win the Gold Cup title, scoring four goals, including a penalty against Mexico in the final.

2007: Mixed Year with LA Galaxy and SuperLiga Top Scorer

Landon Donovan had a mixed year with LA Galaxy in 2007. He relinquished his captaincy to David Beckham. Donovan was the top scorer in the 2007 SuperLiga tournament, scoring six goals in five matches.

January 19, 2008: All-time leading goal scorer

On January 19, 2008, Landon Donovan scored his 35th international goal against Sweden, surpassing Eric Wynalda to become the United States' all-time leading goal scorer.

June 8, 2008: Reaching 100 Caps

On June 8, 2008, Landon Donovan reached 100 caps at the age of 26 in a friendly match against Argentina, becoming the fourth-youngest person to achieve this milestone.

November 2008: Trained with Bayern Munich

In November 2008, Landon Donovan trained with Bayern Munich.

2008: Banner Year with LA Galaxy

The 2008 season was a banner year for Landon Donovan with LA Galaxy, as he scored 20 goals and had nine assists in 25 matches, forming a strong offensive partnership with David Beckham and Edson Buddle.

October 10, 2009: World Cup Qualification Goal

On October 10, 2009, Landon Donovan scored on a free-kick, securing a 3–2 victory for the U.S. against Honduras in San Pedro Sula, which clinched World Cup qualification for the United States.

2009: Finished MLS Season

After the 2009 MLS season had finished, Landon Donovan joined English Premier League side Everton on loan in January 2010

2009: Loan to Bayern Munich

Landon Donovan joined Bayern Munich on loan until mid-March of 2009. Bayern declined to extend his loan.

January 2010: Loan to Everton

In January 2010, after the 2009 MLS season, Landon Donovan joined English Premier League side Everton on loan.

August 1, 2010: Scored 100th MLS Goal

On August 1, 2010, Landon Donovan scored the 100th goal of his MLS career.

September 18, 2010: All-Time Leading Scorer for LA Galaxy

On September 18, 2010, Landon Donovan became the all-time leading scorer for LA Galaxy.

2010: Highest-Scoring American in World Cup History

During the 2010 World Cup, Landon Donovan's three goals made him the highest-scoring male American player in World Cup history.

2010: Won Supporters' Shield

In 2010, LA Galaxy won the Supporters' Shield for the first time since 2003, with Landon Donovan scoring seven goals and a team-high 16 assists.

2010: 2010 FIFA World Cup

In 2010, Landon Donovan played every minute for the U.S. at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He scored against Slovenia and Algeria, leading the U.S. to first place in their group. He also scored a penalty against Ghana, and became the highest-scoring American male in World Cup history.

2010: Loan to Everton

In 2010, Landon Donovan went on a short loan to Premier League club Everton.

December 2011: Agreement Reached for Second Everton Loan

In December 2011, an agreement was reached for Landon Donovan to spend another two months at Everton beginning in January 2012.

2011: Won MLS Cup and Named MVP

In 2011, Landon Donovan scored the title-clinching goal in the 72nd minute over the Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup 2011, securing his fourth MLS Cup title and was named the MLS Cup MVP.

January 4, 2012: Debut Against Bolton Wanderers

On January 4, 2012, Landon Donovan made his returning debut for Everton against Bolton Wanderers, in a 2–1 defeat.

January 2012: Return to Everton

Starting in January 2012, Landon Donovan returned for another two months at Everton. He made his returning debut on January 4, 2012, against Bolton Wanderers.

2012: Second Loan to Everton

In 2012, Landon Donovan had his second short loan to Premier League club Everton.

March 25, 2013: Returned to Training with LA Galaxy

On March 25, 2013, Landon Donovan returned to training with LA Galaxy.

July 5, 2013: Reaching 50 International Goals

On July 5, 2013, Landon Donovan became the first U.S. player to score 50 international goals, marking him as the fourth man in CONCACAF to reach this milestone, after scoring twice against Guatemala.

May 2014: Named in Preliminary Squad

In May 2014, Landon Donovan was initially named in the preliminary squad for the 2014 World Cup.

May 22, 2014: Omission from World Cup Squad

On May 22, 2014, Landon Donovan was controversially omitted from the final U.S. squad for the 2014 World Cup by coach Jürgen Klinsmann.

May 25, 2014: All-Time Leading Goalscorer in MLS

On May 25, 2014, Landon Donovan became MLS's All-Time leading goalscorer with 136 goals, breaking Jeff Cunningham's record.

August 6, 2014: Scored Winning Goal at MLS All-Star Game

On August 6, 2014, Landon Donovan scored the winning goal at the 2014 MLS All-Star Game against Bayern Munich and gave the captain's armband to Will Johnson after being substituted.

October 10, 2014: Final Match for the United States

On October 10, 2014, Landon Donovan played his 157th and final match for the United States in a friendly against Ecuador in East Hartford, Connecticut.

December 7, 2014: Won Fourth MLS Cup

On December 7, 2014, LA Galaxy won MLS Cup 2014, their fourth MLS Cup of the Landon Donovan era, marking the end of Donovan's season and career.

2014: ESPN/ABC Broadcast Team

In 2014, after being left off the World Cup roster, Landon Donovan joined the ESPN/ABC broadcast team as a studio analyst.

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July 2015: Appointed Head Coach for MLS Homegrown Game

In July 2015, it was announced that Landon Donovan had been appointed as the head coach for a team consisting of young MLS players for the 2015 MLS Homegrown Game.

July 28, 2015: MLS Homegrown Game

On July 28, 2015, Landon Donovan coached a team of MLS academy graduates in the 2015 MLS Homegrown Game, which ended in a 1–1 tie, followed by a shootout loss.

September 8, 2016: Announced Return from Retirement

On September 8, 2016, Landon Donovan announced his return from retirement and officially signed with LA Galaxy for the remainder of the 2016 season.

September 11, 2016: Entered Match as a Substitute

On September 11, 2016, Landon Donovan entered the match against Orlando City as a substitute, selecting number 26 as his traditional number 10 was taken.

September 18, 2016: Scored After Returning to LA Galaxy

On September 18, 2016, Landon Donovan scored two minutes after coming on as a substitute in a match against Sporting Kansas City, tying the game 2–2.

2016: Part Owner of Swansea City

In 2016, Landon Donovan became a part owner of Welsh football club Swansea City.

2016: Coaching the MLS Homegrown Team

In 2016, Landon Donovan coached the MLS Homegrown Team for the second time.

2016: Comeback with LA Galaxy

Late in the 2016 season, Landon Donovan made a brief comeback with the LA Galaxy.

January 12, 2018: Signed with Club León

On January 12, 2018, Landon Donovan signed with Liga MX team León, returning from retirement for a second time.

February 10, 2018: Liga MX Debut

On February 10, 2018, Landon Donovan made his Liga MX debut, coming on as a substitute in the 83rd minute of León's 2–1 victory over Club Puebla.

March 24, 2018: First Goal for Club León

On March 24, 2018, Landon Donovan scored his first goal for Club León in a friendly against his former team, the San Jose Earthquakes.

June 17, 2018: Contract Terminated

On June 17, 2018, Club León announced they had decided to terminate Landon Donovan's contract early.

2018: Played for Club León

In 2018, Landon Donovan played for Mexican club León.

2018: Named to United States National Arena Soccer Team

In 2018, after playing in the Major Arena Soccer League during the 2018–19 season, Landon Donovan was named to the United States national arena soccer team ahead of a friendly against Mexico.

January 24, 2019: Signed with San Diego Sockers

On January 24, 2019, Landon Donovan signed with the San Diego Sockers in the Major Arena Soccer League.

June 2019: Founding a USL Championship Expansion Team

In June 2019, Landon Donovan, along with Warren Smith, founded a USL Championship expansion team in San Diego.

November 2, 2019: San Diego Loyal Branding Announcement

On November 2, 2019, the USL Championship team co-founded by Landon Donovan announced their branding and naming themselves San Diego Loyal.

November 14, 2019: Inaugural Manager of San Diego Loyal

On November 14, 2019, Landon Donovan was named the inaugural manager of the San Diego Loyal, a team he helped co-found and served as the vice president of soccer operations.

2020: Team Debut in USL Championship

In 2020, the USL Championship team co-founded by Landon Donovan debuted in the USL Championship.

June 2021: Strategic Advisor for Lincoln City

In June 2021, Landon Donovan joined Lincoln City as a Strategic Advisor, working to enhance the club's network, particularly in North America.

December 2, 2022: Elevated to Executive Vice President

On December 2, 2022, Landon Donovan was elevated to full-time Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations for Loyal.

2022: Commentating for the 2022 World Cup

In 2022, Landon Donovan teamed up with ESPN/ABC's lead play-by-play announcer Ian Darke to commentate for the World Cup.

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October 23, 2023: San Diego Loyal Dissolved

On October 23, 2023, the San Diego Loyal dissolved due to the inability to find a stadium and the expansion of MLS to San Diego.

August 16, 2024: Interim Head Coach of San Diego Wave FC

On August 16, 2024, Landon Donovan was announced as the interim head coach of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club San Diego Wave FC, replacing interim coach Paul Buckle.