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 is a celebrated American former professional soccer player and coach, widely regarded as one of the greatest U.S. men's players ever. He held the record for all-time top assist provider in international football until 2023 and shares the record for most international goals scored by a U.S. male player. A dominant force in Major League Soccer, Donovan secured a record six MLS Cups and holds the league's all-time assist lead. His impact on the sport is further cemented by the renaming of the MLS MVP Award to the Landon Donovan MVP Award.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1999: Donovan signs with Bayer Leverkusen

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

1999: Donovan's career began at Bayer Leverkusen

On September 11, 2016, Donovan entered the match against Orlando City wearing number 26, which he wore at Bayer Leverkusen when he began his career in 1999.

2000: Donovan debuts for USMNT

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

2001: Donovan loaned to San Jose Earthquakes

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

2002: Donovan stars in the 2002 FIFA World Cup

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

2003: LA Galaxy wins Supporter's Shield

In 2003, LA Galaxy wins Supporter's Shield.

2003: Donovan wins MLS Cup and U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year

In 2003, Landon Donovan led the Earthquakes to another MLS Cup championship, scored two goals in the MLS Cup, earned Man of the Match, and was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year.

2004: Donovan named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year

In 2004, Landon Donovan became the first man to be named the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year three years in a row.

January 2005: Donovan returns to Bayer Leverkusen

In January 2005, Landon Donovan returned to the Bayer Leverkusen first team.

2005: Donovan moves to LA Galaxy

In 2005, after six years with Bayer Leverkusen, with most of that time spent on loan with the San Jose Earthquakes, Landon Donovan moved back to the United States permanently to sign with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

2007: Donovan becomes SuperLiga top scorer

In 2007, Landon Donovan had a mixed year with LA Galaxy, but became the top scorer in the 2007 SuperLiga tournament, scoring six goals in five matches.

January 19, 2008: Became United States' all-time leading goal scorer

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

June 8, 2008: Reached 100 caps for the United States

On June 8, 2008, Landon Donovan reached 100 caps at age 26 in a friendly against Argentina that ended in a 0–0 draw, becoming the fourth-youngest person to achieve this milestone.

November 2008: Donovan trains with Bayern Munich

In November 2008, Landon Donovan trained with Bayern Munich, before joining the German club on loan until the start of the 2009 MLS season in mid-March.

2008: Donovan has a banner year

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

October 10, 2009: Scored free-kick against Honduras

On October 10, 2009, Landon Donovan scored a free-kick, giving the U.S. a 3–2 victory over Honduras in San Pedro Sula, which clinched World Cup qualification.

2009: Donovan finishes 2009 MLS season

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

2009: Donovan plays for Bayern Munich on loan

In 2009, Landon Donovan played for Bayern Munich on loan. At the end of the loan period, Bayern declined to extend his loan.

January 2010: Donovan joins Everton on loan

In January 2010, after the 2009 MLS season had finished, Landon Donovan joined English Premier League side Everton on loan. During this period, he played in 13 matches in all competitions, scored two goals and was named the club's Player of the Month for January.

August 1, 2010: Donovan scores his 100th MLS Goal

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

September 18, 2010: Donovan becomes LA Galaxy's all-time leading scorer

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

2010: LA Galaxy wins Supporter's Shield

In 2010, LA Galaxy had another successful campaign winning the Supporters' Shield for the first time since 2003. In that campaign, Landon Donovan scored seven goals and a team-high 16 assists.

2010: Donovan joins Everton on loan

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

2010: Donovan scores three goals in the 2010 World Cup

In the 2010 World Cup, Landon Donovan scored three goals, making him the highest-scoring male American player in World Cup history.

December 2011: Agreement reached for Donovan to rejoin Everton on loan

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

2011: LA Galaxy wins MLS Cup

In 2011, LA Galaxy again won the MLS Supporter's Shield. In the MLS Cup 2011, Landon Donovan scored the title-clinching goal in the 72nd minute over the Houston Dynamo, securing his fourth MLS Cup title. Donovan was named the MLS Cup MVP.

January 4, 2012: Donovan debuts for Everton

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

January 2012: Donovan plays for Everton on loan

In January 2012, Landon Donovan spent another two months at Everton beginning. On January 14, he assisted Everton's only goal in a 1–1 draw against Aston Villa. On January 27, he assisted in both goals in a 2–1 win over Fulham in the FA Cup fourth round proper. On January 31, he assisted in Darron Gibson's winning goal over Manchester City.

2012: Donovan returns to Everton on loan

In 2012, Landon Donovan went on a second short loan to Premier League club Everton.

March 25, 2013: Donovan returns to training with LA Galaxy

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

July 5, 2013: Reached 50 International Goal Mark

On July 5, 2013, Landon Donovan became the first U.S. player to reach the 50 international goal mark and the fourth man in CONCACAF to score 50 international goals after scoring twice against Guatemala in a warmup friendly before the Gold 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 manager Jürgen Klinsmann. This decision generated considerable controversy.

May 25, 2014: Donovan becomes MLS's All-Time Leading Goalscorer

On May 25, 2014, Landon Donovan scored twice against the Philadelphia Union to break Jeff Cunningham's record of 134 goals, making Donovan MLS's All-Time leading goalscorer with 136 goals.

August 6, 2014: Donovan scores winning goal at 2014 MLS All-Star Game

On August 6, 2014, Landon Donovan scored the winning goal at the 2014 MLS All-Star Game, putting the ball past Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer at the 70th minute.

August 7, 2014: Donovan announces retirement

On August 7, 2014, Landon Donovan announced he would be retiring at the end of the 2014 Major League Soccer season.

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, arranged as a farewell.

December 7, 2014: LA Galaxy wins MLS Cup 2014

On December 7, 2014, LA Galaxy won MLS Cup 2014 as well their fourth MLS Cup of the Donovan era.

2014: Donovan retires from soccer

In 2014, Landon Donovan retired as a player.

July 28, 2015: Coached 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 4–5 shootout loss.

September 8, 2016: Donovan returns to LA Galaxy

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: Donovan returns to the field

On September 11, 2016, Landon Donovan entered the match against Orlando City as a substitute on the 83rd minute, wearing number 26, which he wore at Bayer Leverkusen when he began his career in 1999.

September 18, 2016: Donovan scores in second match

On September 18, 2016, Landon Donovan scored a goal in his second match after returning to LA Galaxy. He came on as a substitute in the 74th minute in a match against Sporting Kansas City and scored two minutes later to tie the game 2–2.

2016: Became part owner of Swansea City

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

2016: Donovan retires for second time

In 2016, Landon Donovan played in all six remaining matches of the regular season, as well as in all three play-off matches. At the end of the play-off run, Donovan retired for the second time.

2016: Donovan returns to LA Galaxy

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

January 12, 2018: Donovan signs with Club León

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

February 10, 2018: Donovan debuts for León

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: Donovan scores first goal for Club León

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

June 17, 2018: Club León terminates Donovan's contract

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

2018: Donovan plays for Club León

In 2018, Landon Donovan played for Mexican club León.

2018: Donovan named All-MASL Top Newcomer

In 2018, Landon Donovan was named to MASL's Week 14 Team of the Week and also named him as a 2018–19 All-MASL Top Newcomer.

January 24, 2019: Donovan signs with San Diego Sockers

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

June 2019: Founded USL Championship Expansion Team

In June 2019, Landon Donovan, along with Warren Smith, co-founded a USL Championship expansion team.

November 2, 2019: San Diego Loyal Branding Announcement

On November 2, 2019, Landon Donovan's team announced their branding and naming themselves San Diego Loyal.

November 14, 2019: Named 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, also serving as the vice president of soccer operations.

2020: Team Debuted in the USL Championship

In 2020, the team founded by Landon Donovan and Warren Smith debuted in the USL Championship.

June 2021: Joined Lincoln City as Strategic Advisor

In June 2021, Landon Donovan joined Lincoln City as a Strategic Advisor.

December 2, 2022: Elevated to Executive VP of Soccer Operations for Loyal

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

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

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