History of Landon Donovan in Timeline
"Landon Donovan is a highly celebrated figure in American soccer. He achieved remarkable feats throughout his career, including holding the world record for most international assists (58) in men's soccer and sharing the record for most international goals (57) by an American player with Clint Dempsey. After retiring, Donovan co-founded and assumed the role of vice-president of soccer operations for the USL Championship club, San Diego Loyal."
1930: U.S. First Place World Cup Group
The US national team placed first in their World Cup group for the first time in 1930.
March 4, 1982: Birth of Landon Donovan
Landon Timothy Donovan was born on March 4, 1982. He would go on to have a celebrated career as a professional soccer player.
1997: Olympic Development Program
Landon Donovan was accepted into U.S. Youth Soccer's Olympic Development Program in 1997.
1999: U-17 World Championship Golden Ball
Donovan won the Golden Ball at the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship, recognizing him as the tournament's best player.
1999: IMG Academy and the FIFA U-17 World Championship
In 1999, Landon Donovan attended the IMG Academy and played for the United States in the FIFA U-17 World Championship, where he was named Player of the Tournament.
1999: Donovan Signs with Bayer Leverkusen
In 1999, Landon Donovan signed his first professional contract with the German soccer club Bayer Leverkusen.
2000: Senior National Team Debut
Landon Donovan made his debut for the United States men's national team in 2000.
March 20, 2001: Collision with Marvin Lee
During the 2001 CONCACAF U-20 Tournament on March 20, 2001, Donovan was involved in a collision with Marvin Lee, captain of Trinidad and Tobago U-20 team that resulted in severe neck and spine injuries for Lee, leading to his paralysis and subsequent death in 2003.
2001: Loan to San Jose Earthquakes
Unhappy with his situation at Bayer Leverkusen, Landon Donovan was loaned to the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer (MLS) for the 2001 season.
2002: Best Young Player Award at the World Cup
At the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Landon Donovan received the Best Young Player award.
2003: MLS Cup Championship and U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year
Landon Donovan helped the San Jose Earthquakes win the MLS Cup in 2003 and was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year.
2004: Three-Time U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year
Landon Donovan became the first person to be named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year three years in a row in 2004.
January 2005: Request to Leave Leverkusen
After playing seven matches for Bayer Leverkusen, Landon Donovan requested to leave the club in January 2005.
December 31, 2006: Married Bianca Kajlich
Landon Donovan married actress Bianca Kajlich on December 31, 2006.
2007: Arrival of David Beckham and SuperLiga Success
Landon Donovan relinquished his captaincy to David Beckham at LA Galaxy in 2007 and became the top scorer in the SuperLiga tournament.
November 2008: Training with Bayern Munich
In November 2008, Donovan began training with Bayern Munich.
2008: Strong Offensive Partnership
Landon Donovan formed a potent offensive partnership with David Beckham and Edson Buddle for LA Galaxy in 2008.
July 2009: Separated from Bianca Kajlich
Landon Donovan and Bianca Kajlich separated in July 2009.
July 2009: Criticism of Beckham and Subsequent Apology
Landon Donovan faced backlash for criticizing David Beckham in Grant Wahl's book "The Beckham Experiment" in July 2009. He later apologized to Beckham.
January 2010: Loan Move to Everton
In January 2010, Donovan joined Everton on loan from LA Galaxy. He was named the club's Player of the Month in January.
August 1, 2010: 100th MLS Goal
On August 1, 2010, Landon Donovan scored the 100th goal of his Major League Soccer career.
September 18, 2010: LA Galaxy's All-Time Leading Scorer
Landon Donovan became the all-time leading scorer for LA Galaxy on September 18, 2010.
December 2010: Filed for Divorce from Bianca Kajlich
Landon Donovan filed for divorce from Bianca Kajlich in December 2010.
2010: 2010 FIFA World Cup
During the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Donovan played every minute of the U.S. campaign. He scored a goal against Slovenia in a come-from-behind tie, and scored the game-winning goal against Algeria, leading the U.S. to first place in their group for the first time since 1930. He also scored a penalty goal in the round of 16 against Ghana. With his performance, Donovan became the highest scoring American male in World Cup history.
2010: Supporters' Shield Victory
LA Galaxy, led by Landon Donovan, won the Supporters' Shield for the first time since 2003.
2010: Highest-Scoring American in World Cup History
Landon Donovan became the highest-scoring male American player in World Cup history with his three goals in the 2010 tournament.
2010: Loan to Everton
Landon Donovan went on loan to the English Premier League club Everton in 2010.
December 2011: Loan Agreement with Everton
In December 2011, an agreement was reached for Donovan to have a second loan spell at Everton.
2011: MLS Cup Victory and MVP Award
Landon Donovan scored the game-winning goal in the 2011 MLS Cup final against the Houston Dynamo, securing his fourth MLS Cup title and earning the MLS Cup MVP award.
January 4, 2012: Return to Everton
Donovan rejoined Everton on loan in January 2012 and made his return debut on January 4th against Bolton Wanderers.
October 2012: Desire for a Break and MLS Cup Triumph
In October 2012, Landon Donovan announced his intention to take a break from soccer. He went on to score in the 2012 MLS Cup final, helping LA Galaxy win their second consecutive MLS Cup title.
2012: Second Loan to Everton
Landon Donovan had a second loan spell at Everton in 2012.
March 25, 2013: Return to LA Galaxy
On March 25, 2013, Donovan returned to training with LA Galaxy after his loan spell. However, he was no longer the captain, with Robbie Keane taking on the role.
July 5, 2013: 50 International Goal Mark
On July 5, 2013, Landon Donovan became the first U.S. player to reach the 50 international goal mark after scoring two goals against Guatemala in a friendly match.
May 2014: Named to Preliminary World Cup Squad
Landon Donovan was named to the preliminary squad for the 2014 World Cup in May 2014.
May 22, 2014: Left off 2014 World Cup Roster
On May 22, 2014, Landon Donovan was controversially left off the final U.S. squad for the 2014 World Cup by manager Jürgen Klinsmann.
May 25, 2014: MLS All-Time Leading Goalscorer
Donovan scored two goals against the Philadelphia Union on May 25, 2014, surpassing Jeff Cunningham's record of 134 goals to become MLS's all-time leading goalscorer with 136 goals.
August 7, 2014: Retirement Announcement
One day after the MLS All-Star Game, on August 7, 2014, Donovan announced his decision to retire at the end of the 2014 MLS season.
October 10, 2014: Final Match for the United States
Landon Donovan played his final match, his 157th, for the United States on October 10, 2014 in a friendly match against Ecuador in East Hartford, Connecticut.
December 7, 2014: MLS Cup Victory and Retirement
Donovan's career culminated with LA Galaxy winning the MLS Cup on December 7, 2014, marking his fourth MLS Cup title with the team and his subsequent retirement.
2014: Joined ESPN/ABC Broadcast Team
After being left off the 2014 World Cup roster, Landon Donovan joined the ESPN/ABC broadcast team as a studio analyst.
2014: Retirement
Landon Donovan retired from professional soccer in 2014.
May 2015: Married Hannah Bartell
Landon Donovan married Hannah Bartell in May 2015.
July 2015: Appointed Head Coach for MLS Homegrown Game
It was announced that Landon Donovan would be the head coach for the 2015 MLS Homegrown Game.
July 28, 2015: MLS Homegrown Game Coach
On July 28, 2015, Landon Donovan served as head coach for a team of MLS academy graduates in the MLS Homegrown Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. The game resulted in a 1-1 tie, and his team lost 4-5 in a shootout.
January 2016: Welcomed Son, Talon
Landon Donovan and Hannah Bartell welcomed their first child, son Talon, in January 2016.
September 8, 2016: Return from Retirement
On September 8, 2016, Donovan announced his return to professional soccer, signing with LA Galaxy for the remainder of the season.
September 11, 2016: Return Match for LA Galaxy
Donovan came on as a substitute in the 83rd minute against Orlando City on September 11, 2016, marking his return to the LA Galaxy.
2016: Part Owner of Swansea City
Landon Donovan became a part owner of the Welsh football club Swansea City in 2016.
2016: Brief Comeback with LA Galaxy
Landon Donovan made a brief return to the LA Galaxy late in the 2016 season.
2016: Coached Second MLS Homegrown Game
Landon Donovan selected and coached the MLS Homegrown team for a second time in 2016.
January 12, 2018: Signing with Club León
Donovan came out of retirement for a second time when he signed with Club León of Liga MX on January 12, 2018.
February 10, 2018: Liga MX Debut
He made his Liga MX debut as a substitute in the 83rd minute of León's 2-1 win over Club Puebla on February 10, 2018.
March 24, 2018: First Goal for Club León
On March 24, 2018, Donovan scored his first goal for Club León in a friendly match against his former team, the San Jose Earthquakes.
June 17, 2018: Contract Termination
Club León announced the termination of Donovan's contract on June 17, 2018, ending his time with the Mexican club.
2018: Named to National Arena Soccer Team
After playing in the Major Arena Soccer League during the 2018–19 season, Donovan was named to the United States national arena soccer team.
2018: Donovan's Mexico Fandom Sparks Controversy
During the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Landon Donovan faced criticism for revealing his support for the Mexican national team, a major rival to the United States. His admission, part of a sponsorship deal with Wells Fargo, drew ire from fans and former teammates like Carlos Bocanegra. Donovan's retort, alluding to Bocanegra's Mexican heritage, further fueled the controversy.
2018: Playing for León and the San Diego Sockers
In 2018, Landon Donovan played for the Mexican club León and the San Diego Sockers of the Major Arena Soccer League.
January 24, 2019: Signing with San Diego Sockers
Donovan joined the San Diego Sockers of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) on January 24, 2019.
June 2019: Founded USL Championship Expansion Team
Landon Donovan and Warren Smith co-founded a USL Championship expansion team.
November 2, 2019: Announced San Diego Loyal Branding
On November 2, 2019, the USL Championship expansion team co-founded by Landon Donovan announced their branding and name: the San Diego Loyal.
November 14, 2019: Named Inaugural Manager of the San Diego Loyal
Landon Donovan was named the first ever manager of the San Diego Loyal, a team he co-founded, on November 14, 2019.
2020: USL Championship Expansion Team Debuted
The USL Championship expansion team that Landon Donovan co-founded debuted.
June 2021: Joined Lincoln City as a Strategic Advisor
It was announced on June 17, 2021 that Landon Donovan would be joining Lincoln City as a Strategic Advisor.
December 2, 2022: Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations
Landon Donovan was promoted to full-time Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations for the San Diego Loyal on December 2, 2022.
2022: Lead Play-by-Play Announcer for ESPN/ABC
Landon Donovan teamed up with Ian Darke to be the lead play-by-play announcer for the 2022 World Cup on ESPN/ABC.
October 23, 2023: San Diego Loyal Dissolved
The San Diego Loyal dissolved on October 23, 2023, as a result of not being able to find a stadium, and the MLS expanding to San Diego.
2024: Lead Play-by-Play Announcer for ESPN/ABC
Landon Donovan will team up with Ian Darke to be the lead play-by-play announcer for the 2024 Euros on ESPN/ABC.
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