View source for Landon Donovan

{{short description|American soccer player (born 1982)}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2016}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Landon Donovan
| image = NC Courage vs SD Wave (Oct 2024) 045.jpg
| caption = Donovan in 2024
| full_name = Landon Timothy Donovan
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|3|4}}
| birth_place = [[Ontario, California]], U.S.
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=8}}<ref>{{cite web|title=MLS Player Profile|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/landon-donovan|publisher=Major League Soccer|access-date=March 16, 2012|archive-date=February 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216123136/http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/landon-donovan|url-status=live}}</ref>
| position = [[Midfielder#Winger|Winger]], [[forward (association football)|forward]]
| currentclub = 
| youthyears1 = 1999
| youthclubs1 = [[IMG Academy]]
| years1 = 1999–2000
| clubs1 = [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen II|Bayer Leverkusen II]]
| caps1 = 28
| goals1 = 9
| years2 = 2000–2005
| clubs2 = [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]]
| caps2 = 7
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2001–2004
| clubs3 = → [[San Jose Earthquakes]] (loan)
| caps3 = 87
| goals3 = 32
| years4 = 2005–2014
| clubs4 = [[LA Galaxy]]
| caps4 = 247
| goals4 = 112
| years5 = 2009
| clubs5 = → [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] (loan)
| caps5 = 6
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2010
| clubs6 = → [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] (loan)
| caps6 = 10
| goals6 = 2
| years7 = 2012
| clubs7 = → [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] (loan)
| caps7 = 7
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2016
| clubs8 = [[LA Galaxy]]
| caps8 = 6
| goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2018
| clubs9 = [[Club León|León]]
| caps9 = 6
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2018–2019
| clubs10 = [[San Diego Sockers (2009)|San Diego Sockers]] (indoor)
| caps10 = 10
| goals10 = 5
| totalcaps = 416
| totalgoals = 161
| nationalyears1 = 1998–1999
| nationalteam1 = [[United States men's national under-17 soccer team|United States U17]]
| nationalcaps1 = 41
| nationalgoals1 = 35
| nationalyears2 = 2001
| nationalteam2 = [[United States men's national under-20 soccer team|United States U20]]
| nationalcaps2 = 4
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2000–2004
| nationalteam3 = [[United States men's national under-23 soccer team|United States U23]]
| nationalcaps3 = 15
| nationalgoals3 = 9
| nationalyears4 = 2000–2014
| nationalteam4 = [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]]
| nationalcaps4 = 157
| nationalgoals4 = [[List of international goals scored by Landon Donovan|57]]
| nationalyears5 = 2019
| nationalteam5 = [[United States national arena soccer team|United States]] (indoor)
| nationalcaps5 = 1
| nationalgoals5 = 0
| manageryears1 = 2020–2022
| managerclubs1 = [[San Diego Loyal SC|San Diego Loyal]]
| manageryears2 = 2024
| managerclubs2 = [[San Diego Wave FC|San Diego Wave]] (interim)
<!-- DO NOT remove the medal template that reflects the achievements of a soccer player's career. Thank You for your cooperation.
 -->| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[Association football|soccer]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|USA}}}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[FIFA Confederations Cup]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup|2009 South Africa]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[CONCACAF Gold Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2002 United States]]|}}
{{Medal|W|[[2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2005 United States]]|}}
{{Medal|W|[[2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2007 United States]]|}}
{{Medal|W|[[2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2013 United States]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2011 United States]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2003 United States–Mexico]]|}}
}}
'''Landon Timothy Donovan''' (born March 4, 1982) is an American former professional [[association football|soccer]] player and coach who was most recently the interim head coach of [[San Diego Wave FC]] of the [[National Women's Soccer League]] (NWSL). Often considered the greatest U.S. men's player of all time, Donovan was the [[Assist (association football)#Players with most assists in international football (all-time)|all-time top assist provider]] in international football (58) until 2023<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-13 |title=Who has the most assists in international football history? Lionel Messi, Neymar seek all-time FIFA record |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/most-assists-international-football-history-record-messi-neymar-fifa/0efb398da0191e173a22cfd7 |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=www.sportingnews.com |language=en-us}}</ref> and is tied with [[Clint Dempsey]] for the most international goals scored by a male U.S. player ([[List of international goals scored by Landon Donovan|57]]).<ref name="ESPN">{{cite web |date=November 18, 2020 |title=Who did you vote as the GOAT from the biggest nations? |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37583932/messi-maradona-donovan-dempsey-decide-soccer-goats-countries |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231155216/https://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup/story/4106301/messi-or-maradona-donovan-or-dempsey-you-decide-soccers-goats-in-these-countries |archive-date=December 31, 2020 |access-date=January 1, 2021 |website=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Seltzer |first1=Greg |title=Top 10 US national team players of the modern era |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/seltzer-top-10-us-national-team-players-modern-era |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101212220/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/seltzer-top-10-us-national-team-players-modern-era |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |access-date=January 1, 2022 |website=mlssoccer.com |publisher=MLS}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=July 24, 2015 |title=The 25 greatest male US soccer players of all time – interactive |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2015/jul/24/top-us-soccer-players-usmnt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202095913/https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2015/jul/24/top-us-soccer-players-usmnt |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |access-date=January 21, 2017 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=June 1, 2016 |title=FourFourTwo's top 25 players in U.S. men's soccer history: 5–1 |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/usmnt-top-25-players-all-time-united-states-mens-national-team-5-to-1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202003006/http://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/usmnt-top-25-players-all-time-united-states-mens-national-team-5-to-1 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |access-date=January 21, 2017 |website=fourfourtwo.com}}</ref> Donovan won a record six [[MLS Cup]]s and is the league's all-time assists leader with 136.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Webster |first=Peter |date=April 3, 2012 |title=40 Greatest U.S. Men's Soccer Players of All Time |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1127529-40-greatest-usmens-players-of-all-time/page/41 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004220038/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1127529-40-greatest-usmens-players-of-all-time/page/41 |archive-date=October 4, 2013 |access-date=October 4, 2013 |publisher=bleacherreport.com}}</ref> The [[Major League Soccer]] MVP Award has been renamed the [[Landon Donovan MVP Award]] in his honor.<ref name="mvp renamed">{{cite web |date=January 15, 2015 |title=MLS names MVP award after U.S. legend Landon Donovan |url=http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/story/2245214/mls-names-mvp-award-after-us-legend-landon-donovan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119224911/http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/story/2245214/mls-names-mvp-award-after-us-legend-landon-donovan |archive-date=January 19, 2015 |access-date=January 15, 2015 |website=[[ESPN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Major League Soccer names Most Valuable Player award after Landon Donovan |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/01/15/major-league-soccer-names-most-valuable-player-award-after-landon-donovan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116054439/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/01/15/major-league-soccer-names-most-valuable-player-award-after-landon-donovan |archive-date=January 16, 2015 |access-date=January 15, 2015 |website=[[Major League Soccer]]}}</ref>

An early soccer product of [[IMG Academy]], Donovan signed for [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]] in 1999. In 2005, after six years with Leverkusen, the majority of which were spent on [[loan (association football)|loan]] with the [[San Jose Earthquakes]] of MLS, Donovan moved back to the United States permanently to sign with the [[LA Galaxy|Los Angeles Galaxy]]. He later returned to Germany for a loan with giants [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]], and twice went on short loans to [[Premier League]] club [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] in 2010 and 2012. He retired as a player in 2014, but made a brief comeback with LA Galaxy late in the 2016 season and then in 2018 to play for Mexican club [[Club León|León]]. He further played one season with the [[San Diego Sockers (2009)|San Diego Sockers]] of the [[Major Arena Soccer League]].

Donovan made his senior debut for the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States men's national team]] in 2000. He is the [[List of top international association football goal scorers by country|all-time leader in assists]], tied with [[Clint Dempsey]] as the all-time leader in scoring, and is the second-most-[[cap (sport)|cap]]ped player of his country.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_14745621.html |title=U.S. Men's National Team Prepares to Kick Off 2009 Confederations Cup Against World Champion Italy |work=[[United States Football Federation]] |location=Chicago |access-date=June 25, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615175059/http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_14745621.html |archive-date=June 15, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=FIFA makes Donovan's record official |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/print?id=512376&type=story&cc=null |work=[[ESPN]] |location=New York |date=February 29, 2008 |access-date=October 29, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710042218/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/print?id=512376&type=story&cc=null |archive-date=July 10, 2009 }}</ref> Donovan is the only American player to reach the 50 goals/50 assists mark.<ref name="Gold Cup: Another game, another milestone as Landon Donovan continues USMNT comeback">{{cite web|last=Itel|first=Dan|title=Gold Cup: Another game, another milestone as Landon Donovan continues USMNT comeback|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/goldcup/news/article/2013/07/10/gold-cup-another-game-another-milestone-landon-donovan-continues-usmnt-comeb|publisher=Major League Soccer|access-date=July 10, 2013|archive-date=July 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714234102/http://www.mlssoccer.com/goldcup/news/article/2013/07/10/gold-cup-another-game-another-milestone-landon-donovan-continues-usmnt-comeb|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is tied with [[Christian Pulisic]] for the record of four [[U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year]] awards (the first man to win in consecutive years),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Articles/2010/12/2010-Athletes-of-the-Year-Announcement.aspx |title=Donovan, Wambach, Agbossoumonde and Henninger Voted 2010 U.S. Soccer Athletes of the Year |publisher=U.S. Soccer |date=December 20, 2010 |access-date=December 23, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224224024/http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Articles/2010/12/2010-Athletes-of-the-Year-Announcement.aspx |archive-date=December 24, 2010 }}</ref> as well as the only seven-time winner of the [[Honda Player of the Year|Player of the Year]] award.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=687455&sec=us&cc=5901 | title=Donovan wins sixth Honda Award | date=October 20, 2009 | work=[[ESPN]] | agency=Associated Press | location=Los Angeles | access-date=October 20, 2009 | archive-date=October 23, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091023203436/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=687455&sec=us&cc=5901 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Donovan starred in the U.S. team that reached the quarter-finals of the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]] where he received the [[FIFA World Cup awards#FIFA Young Player Award|Best Young Player Award]]. His three goals in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]] made him the highest-scoring male American player in World Cup history.

==Early life and education==
Landon Timothy Donovan<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2010/PDF_BackUp_2010_06_13/FWC_2010_SquadLists.pdf |title=FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: List of Players: USA |publisher=FIFA |page=32 |date=June 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018131759/https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2010/PDF_BackUp_2010_06_13/FWC_2010_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=October 18, 2019}}</ref> was born (along with twin sister Tristan) on March 4, 1982, in [[Ontario, California]], to Donna Kenney-Cash, an American [[special education]] teacher, and Tim Donovan, a semi-professional [[ice hockey]] player originally from Canada. Donovan's parents are both of Irish descent, and he holds Canadian citizenship by way of his father.<ref name=jockbio>{{cite web |url=http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Donovan_Landon/Donovan_bio.html |title=Landon Donovan Biography |publisher=JockBio |date=March 4, 1982 |access-date=June 26, 2010 |archive-date=September 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907201302/http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Donovan_Landon/Donovan_bio.html |url-status=live }}</ref> His mother raised Landon and his siblings in [[Redlands, California]], and he attended [[Redlands East Valley High School]] when not engaged in soccer activities elsewhere.<ref>{{cite web|author=Landon Donovan |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/profile?id=19107&cc=5901 |title=Landon Donovan Profile, Statistics, News, Game Log&nbsp;– Los Angeles, USA Major League Soccer&nbsp;– ESPN Soccernet |publisher=ESPN |date=March 4, 1982 |access-date=June 26, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210204347/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/profile?id=19107&cc=5901 |archive-date=February 10, 2010 }}</ref>

Donovan first played soccer with his older brother and when Donovan was six, his mother allowed him to join an organized league, where he scored seven goals in his first match.<ref name=jockbio/> Donovan was a member of Cal Heat&nbsp;– a club based in nearby [[Rancho Cucamonga, California]]. In 1997, he was accepted into U.S. Youth Soccer's Olympic Development Program.<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 7, 2014|title=Play Video LA Galaxy forward Landon Donovan to retire following the 2014 Season|url=https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2014/08/07/la-galaxy-forward-landon-donovan-retire-following-2014-season|access-date=July 6, 2020|website=LAgalaxy.com|archive-date=July 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708152525/https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2014/08/07/la-galaxy-forward-landon-donovan-retire-following-2014-season|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1999 Donovan attended the [[IMG Academy]] in [[Bradenton, Florida]], with other members of the U-17 national team as part of [[United States Soccer Federation|U.S. Soccer]]'s youth development program.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/Teams/Youth/US-Under17-Men/Residency.aspx |title=Residency Program |publisher=US Soccer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325214252/http://www.ussoccer.com/teams/youth/us-under17-men/residency.aspx |archive-date=March 25, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Rogers |first=Martin |url=http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/news/the-day-donovan-s-career-almost-ended--fbintl_ro-donovan062110.html |title=The day Donovan's career almost ended |publisher=G.sports.yahoo.com |access-date=June 26, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626035845/http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/news/the-day-donovan-s-career-almost-ended--fbintl_ro-donovan062110.html |archive-date=June 26, 2010 }}</ref> Donovan was a member of the inaugural class of the [[IMG Academy|U.S. Soccer youth residency program]] in [[Bradenton, Florida]]. He was named Player of the Tournament for his role in the [[United States men's national under-17 soccer team|United States under-17]] squad that finished fourth in the [[1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship]] before signing with German club [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]] later that year.

==Club career==
===Bayer Leverkusen and San Jose Earthquakes===
[[File:LandonDonovan1.jpg|thumb|upright|Donovan with the San Jose Earthquakes at the [[2003 MLS Cup]]]]

Later in 1999, Donovan signed a six-year contract for German [[Bundesliga]] club [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]], whose sporting director Michael Reschke spotted him at a youth tournament in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playerpress.com/articles/landon-donovan-home-is-where-the-heart-is |title=Landon Donovan: Home is where the heart is |publisher=playerpress.com |access-date=June 26, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091224224140/http://www.playerpress.com/articles/landon-donovan-home-is-where-the-heart-is |archive-date=December 24, 2009 }}</ref> Despite becoming a regular starter for the club's reserve team upon arrival, Donovan had trouble adapting to life overseas and was allowed extended training periods with United States youth national teams.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.landondonovan.com/donovan/about |title=Landon Donovan |publisher=Landon Donovan |access-date=June 26, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031035120/http://landondonovan.com/donovan/about/ |archive-date=October 31, 2010 }}</ref> He played in a German Cup match for the reserve team.<ref name="2000–01 season">{{cite web|title=Landon Donovan|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/2000-01/25345/vereinsspieler_landon-donovan.html|website=[[Kicker (magazine)|Kicker]]|publisher=kicker|access-date=August 20, 2015|language=de|archive-date=January 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107014749/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/2000-01/25345/vereinsspieler_landon-donovan.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Unhappy with his situation with Leverkusen, Donovan was loaned to the [[San Jose Earthquakes]] of [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS) for the 2001 season. In MLS, Donovan had immediate success, leading the Earthquakes to MLS Cup championships in 2001 and 2003 and becoming one of the only recognizable faces of soccer in the United States.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_events_news.jsp?ymd=20051110&content_id=47956&vkey=mlscup2005&fext=.jsp | title=Los Angeles Galaxy mini bios | publisher=[[Major League Soccer]] | date=November 10, 2005 | access-date=June 25, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070318235530/http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_events_news.jsp?ymd=20051110&content_id=47956&vkey=mlscup2005&fext=.jsp |archive-date = March 18, 2007}}</ref> In four years in the league, he scored 32 goals<ref name="MLS career">{{cite web|title=Landon Donovan|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/landon-donovan|website=mlssoccer.com|publisher=Major League Soccer|access-date=August 20, 2015|archive-date=February 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216123136/http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/landon-donovan|url-status=live}}</ref> and 29 assists in league play, and ten goals and six assists in the playoffs.<ref name="MLS career"/> Two of those goals were in the 2003 MLS Cup, a 4–2 Earthquakes triumph over [[Chicago Fire Soccer Club|Chicago Fire SC]]. Donovan earned Man of the Match for his actions. He was named [[U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year]] in 2003.<ref name="athleteoftheyear">{{cite web | url=http://national.soccerhall.org/history/chevroletWinners.htm | title=U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year | publisher=[[National Soccer Hall of Fame]] | access-date=June 26, 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707040241/http://national.soccerhall.org/history/ChevroletWinners.htm | archive-date=July 7, 2009 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

In 2004, Donovan became the first man to be named the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year three years in a row<ref name="athleteoftheyear"/> before returning to the Bayer Leverkusen first team in January 2005. After playing seven matches with Leverkusen in the [[2004–05 Bayer 04 Leverkusen season|2004–05 season]],<ref name="2004–05 season">{{cite web |title=Landon Donovan |url=https://www.kicker.de/landon-donovan/spieler/bundesliga/2004-05/bayer-04-leverkusen |website=[[Kicker (magazine)|Kicker]] |publisher=kicker |access-date=January 4, 2019 |language=de |archive-date=January 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105145418/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/1-bundesliga/2004-05/bayer-leverkusen-9/25345/spieler_landon-donovan.html |url-status=live }}</ref> only two of which were starts, Donovan requested to leave the club. Despite a late offer from English [[Premier League]] club [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]], Donovan expressed a desire to return to the United States. Upon his re-entry to MLS, San Jose was denied the chance to re-sign Donovan because Earthquakes general manager [[Alexi Lalas]] had traded away his rights. [[LA Galaxy]], his hometown team, were able to trade leading scorer [[Carlos Ruiz (Guatemalan footballer)|Carlos Ruiz]] to [[FC Dallas]] to get on top of the [[allocation (MLS)|MLS allocation order]] as Donovan prepared to leave Germany.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/2005-03-30-dallas-ruiz_x.htm | title=Galaxy trade Ruiz to Dallas, Donovan returning to L.A.? | work=USA Today | agency=Associated Press | date=March 30, 2005 | location=Carson, California | access-date=June 26, 2007 | archive-date=March 5, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305113915/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/2005-03-30-dallas-ruiz_x.htm | url-status=live }}</ref>

===LA Galaxy===
====2005–2014====
Donovan signed a multi-year contract with LA Galaxy, making him the highest-paid American player in the league. In his first season at the club, Donovan scored 12 league goals<ref name="Landon Donovan » Club matches">{{cite web|title=Landon Donovan " Club matches|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe18225/landon-donovan/club-matches/|publisher=World Football|access-date=August 20, 2015|archive-date=October 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006234729/http://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/landon-donovan/2/|url-status=live}}</ref> with 10 assists and added four goals and an assist in the playoffs as LA Galaxy won the MLS Cup (his third MLS championship to date). He was named to the [[MLS All-Time Best XI]] after the season.<ref>{{cite news | first=Jonathan | last=Nierman | url=http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_events_news.jsp?ymd=20051111&content_id=47999&vkey=mlscup2005&fext=.jsp | title=MLS All-Time Best XI team unveiled | work=[[Major League Soccer]] | date=November 11, 2005 | location=Frisco, Texas  | access-date=June 25, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070608223502/http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_events_news.jsp?ymd=20051111&content_id=47999&vkey=mlscup2005&fext=.jsp |archive-date = June 8, 2007}}</ref> In his second season with LA Galaxy, Donovan scored 12 league goals and eight assists. He also scored three goals in the [[US Open Cup|Open Cup]]. Despite this, Donovan and LA Galaxy failed to make the playoffs and lost in the Open Cup to Chicago Fire. Donovan's playoff goals make him MLS' second all-time leading scorer in the playoffs with 14, behind Carlos Ruiz's 15.<ref name=mls-career-stats>{{cite news|url=http://la.galaxy.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t106&player=donovan_l&playerId=don474618&statType=career |title=Landon Donovan |work=[[Los Angeles Galaxy]] |publisher=[[Major League Soccer]] |access-date=October 29, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501181651/http://la.galaxy.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t106&player=donovan_l&playerId=don474618&statType=career |archive-date=May 1, 2008 }}</ref>

[[File:Landon Donovan corner kick.jpg|left|upright=1.2|thumb|Donovan taking a [[corner kick]] for LA Galaxy]]

Donovan had a mixed year with LA Galaxy in 2007. Upon the signing and arrival of [[David Beckham]], Donovan relinquished his captaincy to the English superstar. In the 2007 [[North American SuperLiga|SuperLiga]] tournament, Donovan was the top scorer. He scored a goal in every match except for the final. He scored six goals in five matches.<ref name="2007 season">{{cite web |title=Landon Donovan |url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/19107/landon-donovan?season=2007 |website=ESPN FC |publisher=ESPN |access-date=January 5, 2019 |archive-date=January 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106011101/http://www.espnfc.com/player/19107/landon-donovan?season=2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> At this point in his career, Donovan had 84 all-time regular season goals putting him in seventh place on the league's [[Major League Soccer records and statistics#top|all-time scoring list]]. Although the [[2008 MLS season|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]].<ref name=mls-career-stats/>

After his former national team manager [[Bruce Arena]] was named LA Galaxy head coach and Beckham joined [[A.C. Milan|Milan]] on loan in early 2009, Donovan once again was given the club captaincy on a permanent basis. In July 2009, Donovan received praise and criticism for his critical comments about Beckham in ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' journalist [[Grant Wahl]]'s book ''[[The Beckham Experiment]]'', calling Beckham a poor captain and teammate. He later apologized to Beckham for discussing his concerns to a reporter rather than to him directly.<ref>{{cite news |author=Dominic Fifield in New Jersey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jul/16/david-beckham-la-galaxy |title=David Beckham warns LA Galaxy he will go on loan again &#124; Football &#124; guardian.co.uk |work=The Guardian |date=July 16, 2009 |access-date=June 26, 2010 |location=London |archive-date=December 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219065928/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jul/16/david-beckham-la-galaxy |url-status=live }}</ref> The two reconciled upon Beckham's mid-season return to Los Angeles and Donovan enjoyed an outstanding 2009 campaign, winning the league's [[Major League Soccer MVP|Most Valuable Player]] and [[MLS Goal of the Year Award|MLS Goal of The Year 2009]] award and leading LA Galaxy to [[MLS Cup 2009]], which they lost 5–4 on penalties to [[Real Salt Lake]] after a 1–1 draw, Donovan missing his attempt in the shootout. Following the season, Donovan agreed to a four-year extension to his contract with LA Galaxy, with clauses that allowed him to seek loans during the MLS offseason. On August 1, 2010, Donovan scored the 100th goal of his MLS career. On September 18, 2010, he became the all-time leading scorer for LA Galaxy.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ian Rose |url=http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/donovan-sets-la-galaxy-scoring-record.html |title=Donovan Sets LA Galaxy Scoring Record; theoffside.com |publisher=TheOffside |access-date=September 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727182521/http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/donovan-sets-la-galaxy-scoring-record.html |archive-date=July 27, 2011 }}</ref>
[[File:WikiLando.jpg|thumb|upright|Donovan with the Galaxy in 2010]]
LA Galaxy had another successful campaign in 2010 winning the [[MLS Supporters' Shield|Supporters' Shield]] for the first time since 2003. In that campaign, Donovan scored seven goals and a team-high 16 assists.  In the [[2010 MLS Cup Playoffs|playoffs]], LA Galaxy would ultimately succumb to Dallas in the semi-finals. In 2011, LA Galaxy again won the MLS Supporter's Shield. In the [[MLS Cup 2011]], Donovan scored the title-clinching goal in the 72nd minute over the [[Houston Dynamo]], securing his fourth MLS Cup title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/11/mls-cup-galaxy-defeats-dynamo-1-0-to-win-championship.html|title=Galaxy defeats Dynamo, 1–0, to win championship|date=November 20, 2011|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=November 22, 2011|archive-date=December 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224180920/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/11/mls-cup-galaxy-defeats-dynamo-1-0-to-win-championship.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Donovan was named the MLS Cup MVP.

In October 2012, Donovan expressed his desire to take a break from his professional soccer career, citing physical and mental exhaustion as the main reasons.<ref name=breakfromsoccer>{{cite web|title=Landon Donovan eyes break from soccer|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1209899/los-angeles-galaxy%27s-landon-donovan-eyes-break-from-soccer?cc=5901|publisher=ESPN|access-date=October 31, 2012|archive-date=November 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104085649/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1209899/los-angeles-galaxy%27s-landon-donovan-eyes-break-from-soccer?cc=5901|url-status=dead}}</ref> In LA Galaxy's next match, the [[MLS Cup 2012]], a rematch with Houston, Donovan converted a penalty kick in the 65th minute of play to give LA a 2–1 lead. The goal was Donovan's fifth in MLS Cup Finals. LA Galaxy went on to win their second straight MLS Cup, 3–1.

Donovan returned to training with LA Galaxy on March 25, 2013, and made his season debut five days later against [[Toronto FC|Toronto]], coming on as a 61st-minute substitute. However, upon his return, it was announced he would be forced to relinquish the captaincy to [[Robbie Keane]] for the 2013 season. He scored two goals against [[Chivas USA]], tying him with [[Jeff Cunningham]] together as the top MLS goalscorer with 134 goals. On May 25, 2014, Donovan scored twice against the [[Philadelphia Union]] to break Cunningham's record of 134, making Donovan MLS's All-Time leading goalscorer with 136 goals.<ref name=breakrecord>{{cite web|title=Landon Donovan breaks MLS record for goals scored|url=http://www.cbssports.com/general/eye-on-sports/24572728/landon-donovan-breaks-mls-record-for-goals-scored|date=May 25, 2014|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=May 26, 2014|archive-date=May 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526101504/http://www.cbssports.com/general/eye-on-sports/24572728/landon-donovan-breaks-mls-record-for-goals-scored|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 6, 2014, he scored the winning goal at the [[2014 MLS All-Star Game]], putting the ball past [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] goalkeeper [[Manuel Neuer]] at the 70th minute, he was subsequently substituted for [[Sporting Kansas City]] striker [[Dom Dwyer]] and gave the captain's armband to Canadian international [[Will Johnson (soccer)|Will Johnson]]. On August 7, 2014, Donovan announced he would be retiring at the end of the 2014 Major League Soccer season; the season ended with LA Galaxy winning [[MLS Cup 2014]] as well their fourth MLS Cup of the Donovan era on December 7, 2014.

====Loans to other clubs====
[[File:Landon Donovan Everton vs Arsenal 2010.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.6|Donovan before his Everton debut against Arsenal]]

In November 2008, Donovan trained with Bayern Munich,<ref>{{cite web | first=Karlheinz | last=Wild | title=Donovan zum FC Bayern? | url=https://www.kicker.de/donovan-zum-fc-bayern-500264/artikel | language=de | publisher=[[Kicker (sports magazine)|kicker]] | date=November 11, 2008 | access-date=November 11, 2008 | archive-date=October 19, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019052316/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/startseite/artikel/500264/ | url-status=live }}</ref> before joining the German club on loan until the start of the 2009 MLS season in mid-March.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=594415&sec=europe&cc=5901 | title=Bayern borrow Landon Donovan from Galaxy | work=[[ESPN]] | date=November 20, 2008 | access-date=November 20, 2008 | archive-date=October 14, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014123815/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=594415&sec=europe&cc=5901 | url-status=dead }}</ref> During his stay with Bayern, Donovan had appearances in five [[Exhibition game|friendly matches]], in which he scored four goals,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20090305&content_id=221945&vkey=pr_lag&fext=.jsp&team=t106 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706211354/http://web.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20090305&content_id=221945&vkey=pr_lag&fext=.jsp&team=t106 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 6, 2009 |title=Donovan will return to LA Galaxy |publisher=Los Angeles Galaxy |date=March 5, 2009 |access-date=June 25, 2009 }}</ref> six league matches and one [[DFB-Pokal]] match.<ref name="2008–09 season">{{cite web |title=Landon Donovan |url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/2008-09/25345/vereinsspieler_landon-donovan.html |website=[[Kicker (magazine)|Kicker]] |publisher=kicker |access-date=January 4, 2019 |language=de |archive-date=January 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105094314/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/2008-09/25345/vereinsspieler_landon-donovan.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> At the end of the loan period, Bayern declined to extend his loan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/9230914/Donovan-unlikely-to-extend-with-Bayern |title=Donovan unlikely to extend with Bayern |agency=Associated Press |date=February 17, 2009 |access-date=June 25, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427141104/http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/9230914/Donovan-unlikely-to-extend-with-Bayern |archive-date=April 27, 2009 }}</ref>

After the 2009 MLS season had finished, Donovan joined English Premier League side [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] on loan in January 2010, though there was strong suggestions he could join his American teammates at [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5780634,00.html | title=Toffees Confirm Donovan Deal | publisher=Sky Sports | date=December 18, 2009 | access-date=December 18, 2009 | archive-date=October 23, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023120254/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5780634,00.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://metro.co.uk/2010/12/13/landon-donovan-could-opt-for-fulham-loan-transfer-over-everton-return-611199/ | title = Landon Donovan 'could opt for Fulham loan transfer over Everton return' | publisher = metro.co.uk | date = December 13, 2010 | access-date = June 14, 2013 | archive-date = June 9, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130609044754/http://metro.co.uk/2010/12/13/landon-donovan-could-opt-for-fulham-loan-transfer-over-everton-return-611199/ | url-status = live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2010/03/14/donovan-returns-to-la|title=Donovan Returns to LA|first=Giulia|last=Bould|date=March 14, 2010|access-date=March 15, 2010|publisher=Everton F.C.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011014736/http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2010/03/14/donovan-returns-to-la|archive-date=October 11, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Everton were keen on extending his loan deal, but LA Galaxy refused,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1177737.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308130448/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1177737.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 8, 2010 | title=Galaxy: Donovan Not Staying At Everton | publisher=FIFA | date=March 5, 2010 | access-date=March 6, 2010}}</ref> and Donovan returned to the U.S. in time for the start of the 2010 MLS season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Landon Donovan returns to US after loan spell at Everton ends|work=The Guardian|date=March 14, 2010|access-date=March 15, 2010|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/mar/14/everton-landon-donovan|archive-date=January 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108031025/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/mar/14/everton-landon-donovan|url-status=live}}</ref>

An agreement was reached in December 2011 for Donovan to spend another two months at Everton beginning in January 2012.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/dec/15/everton-landon-donovan-loan-la-galaxy | title=Everton agree deal to bring Landon Donovan on loan from LA Galaxy | work=The Guardian | date=December 15, 2011 | access-date=December 16, 2011 | archive-date=January 8, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108042901/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/dec/15/everton-landon-donovan-loan-la-galaxy | url-status=live }}</ref> He made his returning debut on January 4, 2012, against [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]], a 2–1 defeat. In his third match on loan, he assisted Everton's only goal in a 1–1 draw against [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] on January 14. On January 27, he assisted in both goals in a 2–1 win over Fulham in the [[2011–12 FA Cup|FA Cup]] fourth round proper. On January 31, he assisted in [[Darron Gibson]]'s winning goal over [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]. Donovan took his tally of assists to seven when he assisted [[Denis Stracqualursi]]'s goal in a 2–0 victory over [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] on February 11.

===Return to LA Galaxy===
On September 8, 2016, Donovan announced his return from retirement and officially signed with LA Galaxy for the remainder of the 2016 season (six regular season games and any consecutive play-off matches).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/09/08/landon-donovan-officially-comes-out-retirement-signs-la-galaxy|title=Landon Donovan officially comes out of retirement, signs with LA Galaxy|last=Rodriguez|first=Alicia|date=September 8, 2016|publisher=mlssoccer.com|access-date=September 9, 2016|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108102312/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/09/08/landon-donovan-officially-comes-out-retirement-signs-la-galaxy|url-status=live}}</ref>

Donovan explained that the injuries sustained by the club late in the season led to his decision to return:

<blockquote>Two weeks ago, I was working as an analyst on the LA Galaxy vs. Vancouver Whitecaps match and during that game, LA Galaxy suffered injuries to three players: Jelle Van Damme, Steven Gerrard and Gyasi Zardes. Over the next few days, Nigel De Jong was transferred to Galatasaray and news broke that Gyasi would be out for the rest of the season.

Since my retirement, I have remained in close contact with many of the staff and players on LA Galaxy. I spoke with some of them that week and they jokingly asked if I was ready to make a return to the field to help fill some of the void left by the injuries and departures.

I reminded them that I haven't played a meaningful soccer game in almost two years and I certainly couldn't fill the holes left by those players. Over the ensuing days, I began to think about their inquiries and it struck me that perhaps this is something I should consider. I care so deeply about the Galaxy organization, and I believe I could help in a small way to aid the team in its quest for a sixth MLS championship.<ref name="Comeback">{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/story/2946015/landon-donovan-ends-retirement-to-rejoin-la-galaxy|title=Landon Donovan ends retirement to rejoin LA Galaxy|date=September 8, 2016|publisher=espnfc.us|access-date=September 13, 2016|archive-date=July 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709094333/http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/story/2946015/landon-donovan-ends-retirement-to-rejoin-la-galaxy|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/landondonovan/posts/10157464699520010|title=Landon Donovan's official Facebook account|website=[[Facebook]]|date=September 8, 2016|access-date=September 13, 2016|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108135832/https://www.facebook.com/landondonovan/posts/10157464699520010|url-status=live}}</ref></blockquote>

On September 11, 2016, Donovan entered the match against [[Orlando City SC|Orlando City]] as a substitute on the 83rd minute.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-09-11-la-galaxy-vs-orlando-city-sc/recap|title=Los Angeles Galaxy 4–2 Orlando City|publisher=mlssoccer.com|date=September 11, 2016|access-date=September 13, 2016|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116033923/https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-09-11-la-galaxy-vs-orlando-city-sc/recap|url-status=live}}</ref> As his traditional number 10 was worn by [[Giovani dos Santos]], Donovan selected number 26, which he wore at Bayer Leverkusen when he began his career in 1999.<ref name="Comeback" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/09/11/watch-landon-donovan-returns-mls-substitute-appearance-la-galaxy|title=Watch: Landon Donovan returns to MLS in substitute appearance for LA Galaxy|date=September 11, 2016|publisher=mlssoccer.com|access-date=September 13, 2016|archive-date=September 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914162359/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/09/11/watch-landon-donovan-returns-mls-substitute-appearance-la-galaxy|url-status=live}}</ref>

Donovan scored a goal in his second match after returning to LA Galaxy. On September 18, 2016, 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mls/sporting-kc/article102613672.html|title=Landon Donovan scores equalizer as Galaxy rallies to tie Sporting KC|publisher=kansascity.com|date=September 18, 2016|access-date=September 30, 2016|archive-date=November 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120175414/https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mls/sporting-kc/article102613672.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Altogether, Donovan played in all six remaining matches of the 2016 regular season, as well as in all three play-off matches. He started in five of them and scored one goal. At the end of the play-off run, Donovan retired for the second time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-landon-donovan-retires-20161206-story.html|title=Landon Donovan retires from Major League Soccer, again|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 6, 2016|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109100400/https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-landon-donovan-retires-20161206-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===León===

On January 12, 2018, Donovan signed with [[Liga MX]] team [[Club León|León]], having returned from retirement for a second time.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 12, 2018 |title=U.S. soccer legend Landon Donovan coming out of retirement to play for Liga MX's Club Leon |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-donovan-club-leon-20180112-story.html |work=The Los Angeles Times |agency=Associated Press |access-date=January 12, 2018 |archive-date=January 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113203022/http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-donovan-club-leon-20180112-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He made his Liga MX debut on February 10, 2018, coming on as a substitute in the 83rd minute of León's 2–1 victory over [[Club Puebla]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37545393/landon-donovan-makes-first-leon-appearance-win-puebla|title=Landon Donovan debuts in Leon victory|work=ESPN.com|access-date=February 11, 2018|archive-date=February 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211131239/http://www.espn.com/soccer/liga-bancomer/story/3379121/landon-donovan-makes-his-first-leon-appearance-in-win-over-puebla|url-status=live}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club on March 24, 2018, in a friendly against his former team, the [[San Jose Earthquakes]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37549045/club-leon-landon-donovan-scores-winner-return-san-jose|title=Donovan scores winner in return to San Jose|work=ESPN.com|access-date=March 25, 2018|archive-date=March 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325232123/http://www.espn.com/soccer/leon/story/3431670/club-leons-landon-donovan-scores-winner-in-return-to-san-jose|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 17, 2018, Club León announced they had decided to terminate Donovan's contract early.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37556777/club-leon-landon-donovan-part-ways-ahead-2018-apertura|title=Club Leon and Landon Donovan part ways ahead of 2018 Apertura|work=ESPN.com|access-date=June 17, 2018|archive-date=June 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618025618/http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3530522/club-leon-and-landon-donovan-part-ways-ahead-of-2018-apertura|url-status=live}}</ref>

===San Diego Sockers===

On January 24, 2019, Donovan signed with the [[San Diego Sockers (2009–)|San Diego Sockers]] in the [[Major Arena Soccer League]].<ref>{{cite web |title=US Icon Landon Donovan Signs With Sockers |url=https://www.sdsockers.com/news/us-icon-landon-donovan-signs-with-sockers |website=SDSockers.com |date=January 24, 2019 |access-date=January 24, 2019 |archive-date=January 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125073439/https://www.sdsockers.com/news/us-icon-landon-donovan-signs-with-sockers |url-status=live }}</ref> He provided an assist in a 6–4 win over the [[Tacoma Stars (2003–)|Tacoma Stars]] during his MASL debut on February 15 in front of a record crowd in [[Pechanga Arena San Diego]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.maslsoccer.com/stats#/192/game/200429/play-by-play?season_id=1155 | title = Sockers vs. Stars | website = Major Arena SoccerLeague | access-date = March 3, 2019 | archive-date = November 20, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211120075039/https://www.maslsoccer.com/stats#/192/game/200429/play-by-play?season_id=1155 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37506940/landon-donovan-indoor-soccer-debut-san-diego-sockers | title = Photo story: Landon Donovan's indoor soccer debut with San Diego Sockers | website = ESPN | date = February 17, 2019 | access-date = March 3, 2019 | first = Jeff | last = Carlisle | archive-date = March 5, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190305032500/http://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/espn-fc-united/68/post/3776763/landon-donovan-indoor-soccer-debut-with-san-diego-sockers | url-status = live }}</ref> He scored his first two goals for the Sockers in the next game for a 13–2 win over [[Turlock Express]], opening the scoring after just 12 seconds.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37570315/landon-donovan-scores-first-two-goals-san-diego-sockers-indoor-league | title = Landon Donovan scores first two goals with San Diego Sockers in indoor league | website = ESPN | date = March 2, 2019 | access-date = March 3, 2019 | archive-date = March 2, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190302093254/http://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states/story/3788080/landon-donovan-scores-first-two-goals-with-san-diego-sockers-in-indoor-league | url-status = live }}</ref> Donovan was named to MASL's Week 14 Team of the Week<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.maslsoccer.com/awards-2018-2019 | title = Awards 2018–2019 | website = Major Arena Soccer League | access-date = May 3, 2019 | archive-date = April 16, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200416094311/https://www.maslsoccer.com/awards-2018-2019 | url-status = live }}</ref> and also named him as a 2018–19 All-MASL Top Newcomer.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.maslsoccer.com/news/masl-announces-first-set-of-postseason-awards | title = MASL ANNOUNCES FIRST SET OF POSTSEASON AWARDS | website = Major Arena Soccer League | date = May 1, 2019 | access-date = May 3, 2019 | archive-date = May 4, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190504024656/https://www.maslsoccer.com/news/masl-announces-first-set-of-postseason-awards | url-status = live }}</ref>

==International career==
{{see also|List of international goals scored by Landon Donovan}}

Donovan was a member of the inaugural class at [[United States Soccer Federation|U.S. Soccer]]'s full-time residency program for the [[United States men's national under-17 soccer team|under-17 national team]] at the [[IMG Academy]] in [[Bradenton, Florida]]. In his two years playing for the U-17 team, he scored 35 goals in 41 games and won the Golden Ball at the [[1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship]] as the tournament's best player.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccertimes.com/usteams/roster/men/donovan.htm |title=Profile: Landon Donovan |publisher=Soccertimes.com |access-date=June 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425021052/http://www.soccertimes.com/usteams/roster/men/donovan.htm |archive-date=April 25, 2013 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> He also represented the United States at the [[Football at the 1999 Pan American Games – Men's tournament|1999 Pan American Games]]. In 2000, he moved up to both the [[United States U-23 men's national soccer team]] as well as the senior team. Despite this he played for the [[United States U-20 men's national soccer team]] in 2001. On March 20, 2001, he was involved in a collision with Marvin Lee, the captain of [[Trinidad and Tobago national under-20 football team|Trinidad and Tobago U-20]] team during the [[2001 CONCACAF U-20 Tournament]] in Trinidad. Lee collided head to side with Donovan which resulted in Lee being paralyzed after sustaining neck and spine injuries, while Donovan had fractured ribs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/us/mnt.php?article_id=19908|title=Donovan's Grief|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918100308/http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/us/mnt.php?article_id=19908|archive-date=September 18, 2016}}</ref>  Lee died in 2003 from complications caused by his condition, the stadium now carries [[Marvin Lee Stadium|his name]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,1858.html|title=Marvin Lee passes away|publisher=newsday.co.tt|date=March 10, 2003|access-date=September 13, 2016|archive-date=August 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816134637/http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,1858.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Donovan made his World Cup finals debut in the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]] starting in the shock upset of pre-tournament favorites [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]], a match the Americans won 3–2. Donovan's cross in the 29th minute deflected in off [[Jorge Costa (footballer)|Jorge Costa]], giving the U.S. a 2–0 lead. Later, Donovan would tally his first World Cup finals goal in the 83rd minute of a 3–1 loss to [[Poland national football team|Poland]] in the third match of the group stage. He then scored his second goal of the tournament on a header which clinched a 2–0 round of 16 victory for the Americans over arch-rival [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]]. Though the U.S. would go on to lose 1–0 to [[Germany national football team|Germany]] in the quarter-finals, Donovan would later be named [[FIFA World Cup awards#FIFA Young Player Award|Best Young Player]] of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/awards/bestyoungplayer/player=175507/index.html |title=Hyundai Best Young Player Award: 2002 Landon Donovan (USA) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612115110/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/awards/bestyoungplayer/player%3D175507/index.html |archive-date=June 12, 2010 }}</ref>

[[File:LandonDonovan 20060410 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Donovan during practice in 2006]]

Donovan was a member of the U.S. squad at the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]], in which the Americans were eliminated in the group stage. Failing to provide any goals or assists throughout the three matches, he was widely criticized by American viewers for his performance.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nj.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/05/after_disappointment_of_2006_a.html | title = After disappointment of 2006, American star Landon Donovan feels prepared for World Cup | first = Colin | last = Stephenson | date = May 19, 2010 | website = nj.com | access-date = August 9, 2016 | archive-date = September 17, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160917192108/http://www.nj.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/05/after_disappointment_of_2006_a.html | url-status = live }}</ref> The following year, he led the U.S. to the [[2007 Gold Cup]] title with four goals, including a crucial penalty in the 2–1 victory over Mexico in the final. On January 19, 2008, Donovan scored his 35th international goal, a penalty against [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]], and passed [[Eric Wynalda]] as the United States' all-time leading goal scorer. Donovan reached 100 caps at age 26 on June 8, 2008, in a friendly against [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] that ended in a 0–0 draw, becoming the fourth-youngest person to do so.<ref name="ussoccerbio">{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/Teams/MNT/D/Landon-Donovan.aspx |title=Landon Donovan |publisher=U.S. Soccer |access-date=July 7, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704102549/http://www.ussoccer.com/Teams/MNT/D/Landon-Donovan.aspx |archive-date=July 4, 2010 }}</ref> Donovan captained the U.S. in the group stage of the [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup]] due to [[Carlos Bocanegra]]'s injury absence. Donovan scored on a penalty kick against [[Italy national football team|Italy]], shortly after his team had been reduced to ten men, and scored for the U.S. in a 3–2 defeat to [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] in the [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Final|final]]. On October 10, 2009, Donovan scored on a free-kick, giving the U.S. a 3–2 victory over [[Honduras national football team|Honduras]] in [[San Pedro Sula]] that clinched World Cup qualification.

[[File:Landon Donovan vs Algeria.jpg|thumb|upright|Donovan (left) playing against [[Algeria national football team|Algeria]] at the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]]]]

Donovan played every minute of the U.S. campaign at the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] in [[South Africa]]. He scored against [[Slovenia national football team|Slovenia]] with a powerful close-range finish to begin a U.S. comeback for a 2–2 draw,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_22/default.stm|title=Slovenia 2–2 USA|date=June 18, 2010|first=David|last=Ornstein|work=BBC Sport|access-date=June 19, 2010|archive-date=June 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618184916/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_22/default.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> and the only goal in the dying seconds of a 1–0 defeat of [[Algeria national football team|Algeria]] with a finish off a rebounded [[Clint Dempsey]] attempt, leading the U.S. to first place in their World Cup group for the first time since 1930.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/live/competitions/worldcup/matchday=13/day=1/match=300061461/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623232333/http://www.fifa.com/live/competitions/worldcup/matchday=13/day=1/match=300061461/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 23, 2010 |title=USA-Algeria&nbsp;– The matches of 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa |publisher=FIFA.com |date=June 10, 2010 |access-date=June 26, 2010}}</ref> Donovan scored a penalty in the round of 16 against [[Ghana national football team|Ghana]] as the U.S. lost 2–1 after extra time and were eliminated from the competition.<ref name=USvGhana>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_50/default.stm|title=USA 1–2 Ghana (aet)|date=June 26, 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=June 28, 2010|first=Paul|last=Fletcher|archive-date=July 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701100114/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_50/default.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> His goals in South Africa made Donovan the highest scoring American male in World Cup history,<ref name=USvGhana/> and just the third American man to score in more than one World Cup, after [[Brian McBride]] and Clint Dempsey.<ref>Dempsey was the second American to score in more than one World Cup during the [http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/37660344/ns/sports-world_cup/ first match with England] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009125124/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/37660344/ns/sports-world_cup/ |date=October 9, 2012 }}. The following match was against Slovenia, in which Donovan scored the first goal, thus making him the third.</ref>  His total of five World Cup goals is the most for any man representing a team from [[CONCACAF]].

After missing the first two World Cup qualifiers of 2013 due to his extended off-season [[sabbatical]], Donovan was left off of the squad by [[Jürgen Klinsmann]] for the June qualifying matches, despite having returned to playing full-time in March.<ref name="Landon Donovan left off World Cup qualifier roster">{{cite news|last=Whiteside|first=Kelly|title=Landon Donovan left off World Cup qualifier roster|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2013/05/16/landon-donovan-world-cup-qualifier-jurgen-klinsmann/2168481/|access-date=July 6, 2013|newspaper=USA Today|date=May 16, 2013|archive-date=June 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622192230/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2013/05/16/landon-donovan-world-cup-qualifier-jurgen-klinsmann/2168481/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Donovan was re-called to the national team for the [[2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup]] to be played in July.<ref name="Donovan on USA Gold Cup roster">{{cite web|title=Donovan on USA Gold Cup roster|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/usa/story/landon-donovan-finally-back-with-usa-on-gold-cup-roster-062713|work=Fox Sports|access-date=July 6, 2013|archive-date=July 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721121537/http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/usa/story/landon-donovan-finally-back-with-usa-on-gold-cup-roster-062713|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 5, 2013, he 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 a brace against [[Guatemala national football team|Guatemala]] in a warmup friendly before the Gold Cup.<ref name="USMNT 6, Guatemala 0 | International Friendly Match Recap">{{cite web|title=USMNT 6, Guatemala 0 {{!}} International Friendly Match Recap |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-05-USA-v-GUA/recap |publisher=Major League Soccer |access-date=July 6, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709061555/http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-05-USA-v-GUA/recap |archive-date=July 9, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="US beats Guatemala 6-0, but players need proving">{{cite news|last=Cardillo|first=Julian|title=U.S. beats Guatemala 6–0, but players need proving|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/blog/2013/07/us_beats_guatemala_6-0_but_players_need_proving.html|newspaper=Boston.com|access-date=July 6, 2013|archive-date=July 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708050028/http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/blog/2013/07/us_beats_guatemala_6-0_but_players_need_proving.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Four days later, Donovan became the first player to reach 50 goals and 50 assists for the United States during a 6–1 group stage victory in their 2013 Gold Cup opener against [[Belize national football team|Belize]] in which he had one goal and two assists.<ref name="Gold Cup: Another game, another milestone as Landon Donovan continues USMNT comeback"/> After the U.S. won the Gold Cup title with a 1–0 victory over [[Panama national football team|Panama]], Donovan was awarded the tournament's Best Player trophy after tying for the tournament lead with five goals scored. He started every match of the tournament for the United States. Donovan was recalled to the full national squad for the first time in over a year for the U.S.'s September World Cup qualifying matches against [[Costa Rica national football team|Costa Rica]] and Mexico. Donovan started and played 90 minutes in both games. With the U.S. needing a win over Mexico to clinch qualification, Donovan's corner kick assisted [[Eddie Johnson (American soccer)|Eddie Johnson]]'s go-ahead goal in the 57th minute. Then, in the 78th minute, Donovan scored off a low cross from [[Mix Diskerud]] to make the score 2–0, and effectively seal the win, and the World Cup berth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/news/mens-national-team/2013/09/130910-mnt-match-report-vs-mexico.aspx |title=U.S. MNT Qualifies for 2014 World Cup in Brazil with 2–0 Victory Against Mexico at Sold-Out Columbus Crew Stadium |date=September 10, 2013 |publisher=ussoccer.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015102143/http://www.ussoccer.com/news/mens-national-team/2013/09/130910-mnt-match-report-vs-mexico.aspx |archive-date=October 15, 2013 }}</ref>

In May 2014, Donovan was named in the preliminary squad for the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]] and joined the team in training camp. However, on May 22, 2014, he was controversially omitted from the final U.S. squad by manager Jürgen Klinsmann. Donovan's absence from the team even became the comedic subject of a PlayStation Commercial where Donovan makes light of his newly found free time.<ref>{{Cite web|title=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpAWeL0-mpM|access-date=July 6, 2020|website=www.youtube.com| date=June 24, 2014 |archive-date=September 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902140027/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpAWeL0-mpM|url-status=live}}</ref> Klinsmann later called his decision "one of the toughest decisions in [his] coaching career", but said, "I just think the other guys right now are a little bit ahead of him."<ref name="Baxter">{{cite news |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=May 22, 2014 |title=What's behind Landon Donovan being left off U.S. World Cup roster |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-us-world-cup-roster-20140523-story.html |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |access-date=June 21, 2016 |archive-date=July 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729024610/http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-us-world-cup-roster-20140523-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Klinsmann's decision, which was described by media staff as abruptly timed after Klinsmann had previously promised to wait until after the team's friendly matches to announce cuts,<ref name="Baxter"/> saw additional controversy when Klinsmann's son Jonathan published and later deleted a post on [[Twitter]] that appeared to ridicule Donovan following the announcement.<ref>{{cite news |last=Firchau |first=Nick |date=May 23, 2014 |title=World Cup: Jurgen Klinsmann says son owes Landon Donovan "huge apology" for controversial tweets |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2014/05/23/world-cup-jurgen-klinsmann-says-son-owes-landon-donovan-huge-apology-controversial |newspaper=MLSSoccer.com |access-date=September 12, 2016 |archive-date=October 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002142236/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2014/05/23/world-cup-jurgen-klinsmann-says-son-owes-landon-donovan-huge-apology-controversial |url-status=live }}</ref>

On October 10, 2014, Donovan played his 157th and final match for the United States in a friendly against [[Ecuador national football team|Ecuador]] in [[East Hartford, Connecticut]]. The match was arranged by [[United States Soccer Federation]] president [[Sunil Gulati]] to give Donovan a proper farewell, despite the disagreement between Donovan and Klinsmann.<ref>{{cite news |last=Keh |first=Andrew |date=October 10, 2014 |title=Proper Farewell, Despite Potential for Awkwardness |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/11/sports/soccer/landon-donovan-is-given-a-proper-farewell-despite-the-potential-for-awkwardness.html?_r=0 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=June 21, 2016 |archive-date=June 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623223736/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/11/sports/soccer/landon-donovan-is-given-a-proper-farewell-despite-the-potential-for-awkwardness.html?_r=0 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following his retirement, he was named by ''[[The Guardian]]'' as the U.S. team's greatest ever player.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2015/jul/24/top-us-soccer-players-usmnt|title=The 25 greatest male US soccer players of all time – interactive|date=July 24, 2015|work=The Guardian|access-date=December 12, 2016|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202095913/https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2015/jul/24/top-us-soccer-players-usmnt|url-status=live}}</ref>

After playing in the [[Major Arena Soccer League]] during the [[2018–19 Major Arena Soccer League season|2018–19 season]], Donovan was named to the United States national arena soccer team ahead of a friendly against Mexico.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Quillen |first1=Ian |title=Landon Donovan, Jermaine Jones named to US arena soccer national team |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/05/19/landon-donovan-jermaine-jones-named-us-arena-soccer-national-team |website=MLSSoccer.com |access-date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=May 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523122921/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/05/19/landon-donovan-jermaine-jones-named-us-arena-soccer-national-team |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Style of play==
Donovan was a versatile attacker known for his pace and stamina as well as intelligence and technical skill,<ref>{{cite news |last=Kenrick |first=Michael |date=February 1, 2012 |title=Landon Donovan |url=http://toffeeweb.com/players/profiles/Donovan.php |newspaper=ToffeeWeb |access-date=January 13, 2018 |archive-date=January 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115001238/http://toffeeweb.com/players/profiles/Donovan.php |url-status=live }}</ref> allowing him to play at various forward and [[Midfielder|midfield]] positions at different points of his career. His longtime international and club manager Bruce Arena was once quoted as saying, "the problem with Landon is that he's your best player at so many positions that you never know where to put him."<ref name="O'Halloran">{{cite news |last=O'Halloran |first=John |date=August 8, 2013 |title=Landon Donovan's Tactical Evolution and His Best Use for the USMNT |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1731747-landon-donovans-tactical-evolution-and-his-best-use-for-the-usmnt |newspaper=Bleacher Report |access-date=July 10, 2016 |archive-date=August 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811161002/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1731747-landon-donovans-tactical-evolution-and-his-best-use-for-the-usmnt |url-status=live }}</ref>

Particularly in the early parts of his career, Donovan played as a [[Forward (association football)#Second striker|withdrawn striker]] and was most noted for his quickness and goalscoring ability. As his professional career progressed, Donovan was increasingly utilized by managers as a wide [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|attacking midfielder]], where he could additionally benefit the team with his playmaking abilities, passing vision, and defensive work rate.<ref name="O'Halloran"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Edwards |first=Tony |date=July 27, 2014 |title=Is Landon Donovan a midfielder or a forward in MLS? |url=https://ussoccerplayers.com/2014/07/donovan-midfielder-forward.html |newspaper=US Soccer Players |access-date=January 13, 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Donovan also provided capable delivery on set pieces (as well as occasionally scoring from [[Direct free kick|direct kicks]]) and served as first-choice [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty taker]] for club and country for much of his career.

== Coaching career ==

=== MLS Homegrown Game ===
In July 2015, it was announced Donovan had been appointed as head coach for a team consisting of young MLS players for the [[2015 MLS Homegrown Game]].<ref>{{cite web|date=July 9, 2015|title=Landon Donovan to coach MLS team at 2015 Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2015/news/article/2015/07/09/landon-donovan-coach-mls-team-2015-chipotle-mls-homegrown-game|access-date=July 9, 2015|publisher=MLSsoccer.com|archive-date=July 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711105806/http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2015/news/article/2015/07/09/landon-donovan-coach-mls-team-2015-chipotle-mls-homegrown-game|url-status=dead}}</ref> The game took place on July 28, 2015, at [[Dick's Sporting Goods Park]] in [[Commerce City, Colorado]]. Donovan led a team of MLS academy graduates, assembled just one day prior, to a 1–1 regulation tie, followed by a 4–5 shootout loss, as reported online.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 28, 2015|title=Chipotle MLS Homegrowns fall on penalty kicks to Club América in Landon Donovan coaching debut|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2015/news/article/2015/07/28/chipotle-mls-homegrowns-fall-pks-club-america-after-1-1-tie-landon-donovan-c|access-date=September 9, 2015|publisher=MLSsoccer.com|archive-date=August 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831181040/http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2015/news/article/2015/07/28/chipotle-mls-homegrowns-fall-pks-club-america-after-1-1-tie-landon-donovan-c|url-status=dead}}</ref> Donovan selected and coached the team a second time in the 2016 edition of the event.

=== San Diego Loyal ===
On November 14, 2019, Landon Donovan was named the inaugural manager of the [[San Diego Loyal SC|San Diego Loyal]], a team that he helped co-found and was the vice president of soccer operations.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=November 14, 2019|title=Landon Donovan named as manager of San Diego Loyal soccer club|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/soccer/story/2019-11-14/landon-donovan-coach-san-diego-loyal-soccer|access-date=October 1, 2020|website=San Diego Union-Tribune|language=en-US|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113035113/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/soccer/story/2019-11-14/landon-donovan-coach-san-diego-loyal-soccer|url-status=live}}</ref> Noting that his hiring was a risk for the club because he had never coached before, Donovan surrounded himself with an experienced backroom staff. He brought on former coach [[Paul Buckle]] and former [[United States women's national soccer team]] player [[Shannon MacMillan]] as senior advisors to his staff. While also bringing in experienced coaches in Carrie Taylor, [[Nate Miller (coach)|Nate Miller]] and Matt Hall to his staff.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Why Landon Donovan made Carrie Taylor his first assistant, and what it could mean for women coaching men's soccer|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/why-landon-donovan-made-carrie-taylor-his-first-assistant-and-what-it-could-mean-for-women-coaching-mens-soccer-184439919.html|access-date=October 1, 2020|website=sports.yahoo.com|date=November 20, 2019 |language=en-US|archive-date=July 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716112108/https://sports.yahoo.com/why-landon-donovan-made-carrie-taylor-his-first-assistant-and-what-it-could-mean-for-women-coaching-mens-soccer-184439919.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Friend|first=Phil|title=Former Lansing Ignite coach Nate Miller joins Landon Donovan's staff with San Diego Loyal|url=https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports/2020/01/09/nate-miller-san-diego-loyal-assistant-coach-lansing-ignite/4420816002/|access-date=October 1, 2020|website=Lansing State Journal|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Loyal|first=San Diego|date=January 9, 2020|title=SD Loyal Hires Assistant Coaches Nate Miller and Matt Hall, Adds Three Players to Roster|url=https://www.sdloyal.com/news_article/show/1076697-sd-loyal-hires-assistant-coaches-nate-miller-and-matt-hall-adds-three-players-to-roster|access-date=October 1, 2020|website=San Diego Loyal SC|language=en-us|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930064507/https://www.sdloyal.com/news_article/show/1076697-sd-loyal-hires-assistant-coaches-nate-miller-and-matt-hall-adds-three-players-to-roster|url-status=live}}</ref> Donovan noted that he wanted a staff with experienced coaches because they could aid him with the day-to-day responsibilities with a coaching role that he was unfamiliar with.<ref name=":2" />

During his first season in charge, Donovan lead San Diego to 6-5-5 record.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Standings|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/league-standings|access-date=October 1, 2020|website=uslchampionship.com|language=en-us|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930152115/https://www.uslchampionship.com/league-standings|url-status=live}}</ref> Donovan and the Loyal garnered international headlines when they forfeited the last two matches of the season after having alleged instances of racial and homophobic abuse directed at their players by the [[Los Angeles Galaxy II]] and [[Phoenix Rising FC|Phoenix Rising]] respectively went unpunished.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=October 1, 2020|title=San Diego Loyal manager 'proud' of walk-off over alleged homophobic abuse|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/01/san-diego-loyal-manager-landon-donovan-proud-walk-off-over-alleged-homophobic-abuse-collin-martin-phoenix-rising|access-date=October 1, 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001164511/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/01/san-diego-loyal-manager-landon-donovan-proud-walk-off-over-alleged-homophobic-abuse-collin-martin-phoenix-rising|url-status=live}}</ref> After the second instance, where Phoenix Rising player [[Junior Flemmings]] allegedly directed a homophobic slur against openly gay San Diego player [[Collin Martin]], Donovan stated: "We went through a really hard incident in the LA match and we made a vow to ourselves, our community, our players, the club and the USL that we would not stand for bigotry, homophobic slurs and things that don't belong in our game. Our players in the heart and passion of the moment still wanted to play, but if we wanted to be true to who we are as a club, we have to speak and we have to act. After half-time we all decided if the player who used the homophobic slur was not removed from the game – either by the officials or by his coach – we would not play. If they are not willing to act, we have to act."<ref name=":3" />

On December 2, 2022, Donovan was elevated to full-time Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations for Loyal. Associate head coach [[Nate Miller (coach)|Nate Miller]] was promoted to head coach.<ref>{{cite web |title=Landon Donovan Elevated to Full Time Role as Executive VP of Soccer Operations |url=https://www.sdloyal.com/news/2022/12/02/landon-donovan-elevated-to-full-time-role-as-executive-vp-of-soccer-operations/ |website=SDLoyal.com |access-date=17 December 2022 |archive-date=December 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202195054/https://www.sdloyal.com/news/2022/12/02/landon-donovan-elevated-to-full-time-role-as-executive-vp-of-soccer-operations/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On October 23, 2023, The San Diego Loyal dissolved as a result of the inability to find a stadium and the MLS expanding to San Diego.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-24 |title=San Diego Loyal to shut down; owner asks fans to 'celebrate and not mourn' pro soccer team over final games |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/soccer/san-diego-loyal-sc/story/2023-08-24/pro-soccer-club-san-diego-loyal-fold-usl-championship-landon-donovan-andrew-vassiliadis-torero-stadium |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>

===San Diego Wave===

On August 16, 2024, 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]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sandiegowavefc.com/san-diego-wave-fc-names-landon-donovan-interim-head-coach/|title=San Diego Wave FC Names Landon Donovan Interim Head Coach|date=2024-08-16|publisher=San Diego Wave FC|access-date=2024-08-16}}</ref> Donovan's tenure as interim head coach ended on November 18, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=San Diego Wave FC Provide Update on Vacant Head Coach Position |url=https://sandiegowavefc.com/san-diego-wave-fc-provide-update-on-vacant-head-coach-position/ |website=SanDiegoWaveFC.com |date=November 18, 2024 |publisher=[[San Diego Wave FC|San Diego Wave]] |access-date=18 November 2024}}</ref>

== Off the field career ==

=== Broadcasting career ===
After being left off the 2014 World Cup roster for the United States, Donovan joined the [[ESPN]]/[[ESPN on ABC|ABC]] broadcast team for the World Cup as a studio analyst.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/06/landon-donovan-espn-world-cup-brazil|title=ESPN hires Landon Donovan for World Cup coverage|last=Chase|first=Chris|date=June 11, 2014|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=June 21, 2016|archive-date=August 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810042528/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/06/landon-donovan-espn-world-cup-brazil|url-status=live}}</ref> After his retirement, Donovan became a color commentator for [[Fox Sports (United States)|FOX Sports]], participating in the network's coverage of the United States–Ecuador quarter-final of the [[Copa América Centenario]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=mlssoccer |title=Landon Donovan: FS1 color commentator for US-Ecuador Copa Quarterfinal {{!}} MLSSoccer.com |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/landon-donovan-fs1-color-commentator-us-ecuador-copa-quarterfinal |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=mlssoccer |language=en}}</ref> He also called the USMNT games on Fox with [[John Strong (sportscaster)|John Strong]] and [[Stuart Holden]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=2021-11-28 |title=A few good minutes with former U.S. soccer star Landon Donovan |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2017/07/07/a-few-good-minutes-with-former-u-s-soccer-star-landon-donovan-2/ |access-date=2024-06-18 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=LANDON DONOVAN JOINS JOHN STRONG AND STU HOLDEN FOR USA-JAMAICA ON FS1 |url=https://www.foxsports.com/presspass/blog/2017/02/02/landon-donovan-joins-john-strong-and-stu-holden-for-usa-jamaica-on-fs1/ |access-date=June 18, 2024 |website=[[Fox Sports Press Pass]]|date=February 2, 2017 }}</ref> and then teamed up with ESPN/ABC's lead play-by-play announcer [[Ian Darke]] for the [[2022 FIFA World Cup|2022 World Cup]] and [[UEFA Euro 2024|Euro 2024]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |agency=Associated Press |date=2022-10-04 |title=Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey to Broadcast 2022 World Cup for Fox |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2022/10/04/landon-donovan-clint-dempsey-broadcast-world-cup-fox |access-date=2024-06-18 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-30 |title=Darke and Donovan to head Fox Euro 2024 coverage, Strong and Holden work Copa America |url=https://apnews.com/article/fox-euro-2024-copa-america-b260fbc1de49fcc5efdf90d84bb5f88a |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

=== San Diego Loyal (ownership and leadership) ===
Donovan, along with Warren Smith, a co-founder of [[Sacramento Republic FC|Sacramento Republic]], founded a [[USL Championship]] expansion team in June 2019.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/06/19/usl-san-diego-landon-donovan-warren-smith|title=Landon Donovan, Warren Smith bring USL to San Diego|website=SI.com|date=June 19, 2019 |language=en|access-date=June 22, 2019|archive-date=June 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620140302/https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/06/19/usl-san-diego-landon-donovan-warren-smith|url-status=live}}</ref> The team debuted in the [[USL Championship]] in 2020. Warren Smith will be the president, while Donovan will be the executive vice president of soccer operations and head coach of the new club.<ref name=":1" /> Provisionally named [[USL San Diego]], the team's name and crest would be developed through fan engagement and reflect the interests of the city.<ref name=":1" /> On November 2, 2019, the team announced their branding and naming themselves [[San Diego Loyal SC|San Diego Loyal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kusi.com/san-diego-usl-announced-new-team-name-and-crest/|title=San Diego USL announced new team name and crest -|date=November 5, 2019|website=McKinnon Broadcasting|language=en-US|access-date=November 6, 2019|archive-date=November 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106024514/https://www.kusi.com/san-diego-usl-announced-new-team-name-and-crest/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Lincoln City ===
On 17 June 2021, it was announced that Donovan would be joining [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]] as a Strategic Advisor, working with the Board, Chief Executive Liam Scully and Director of Football [[Jez George]] to enhance the club's network and relationships, particularly within North America.<ref>{{cite web|date=June 17, 2021|title=Jabara Family to take Stake in Lincoln City Football Club|url=https://www.weareimps.com/news/2021/june/210617-announcement/|website=Lincoln City F.C.|access-date=June 17, 2021|archive-date=June 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617151015/https://www.weareimps.com/news/2021/june/210617-announcement/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Donovan married actress [[Bianca Kajlich]] on December 31, 2006; the couple separated in July 2009,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20292059,00.html | title=Bianca Kajlich and Soccer Star Landon Donovan Split | date=July 17, 2009 | first=Lisa | last=Ingrassia | journal=[[People (magazine)|People]] | access-date=July 17, 2009 | archive-date=July 29, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729213309/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20292059%2C00.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> and Donovan filed for divorce in December 2010.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/NATL-No-Reconciliation-Landon-Donovan-Files-for-Divorce-112354234.html | title=No Reconciliation: Landon Donovan Files for Divorce | first=Daniel | last=Macht | publisher=[[NBC]] Los Angeles | date=December 23, 2010 | access-date=December 23, 2010 | archive-date=December 24, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224053947/http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/NATL-No-Reconciliation-Landon-Donovan-Files-for-Divorce-112354234.html | url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2015, he married Hannah Bartell.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2015/05/landon-donovan-shares-news-his-wedding-social-media | title=Donovan shares news of his wedding on social media | first=Adam | last=Serrano | publisher=Los Angeles Galaxy | date=May 5, 2015 | access-date=June 2, 2015 | archive-date=May 7, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507182419/http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2015/05/landon-donovan-shares-news-his-wedding-social-media | url-status=live }}</ref> They welcomed their first child, son Talon, in January 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://celebritybabies.people.com/2016/01/27/landon-donovan-welcomes-son-talon/|title=Landon Donovan Welcomes Son Talon|first=Anya|last=Leon|publisher=People!|date=January 27, 2016|access-date=January 27, 2016|archive-date=January 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129034427/http://celebritybabies.people.com/2016/01/27/landon-donovan-welcomes-son-talon/|url-status=live}}</ref> Donovan has spoken publicly about dealing with [[major depressive disorder|depression]] throughout his life and career, and has criticized the professional sports world for its approach to mental health issues.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/01/04/landon-donovans-other-legacy-challenging-stigma-mental-health-word | title=Landon Donovan's Other Legacy: Challenging the stigma of mental health | first=Nick | last=Firchau | publisher=MLSSoccer.com | date=January 4, 2015 | access-date=July 13, 2016 | archive-date=July 13, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713200217/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/01/04/landon-donovans-other-legacy-challenging-stigma-mental-health-word | url-status=live }}</ref>

Since joining the Galaxy, Donovan has resided in [[Manhattan Beach, California]]. He speaks fluent Spanish, which he learned both in school and through playing in [[Hispanic]] clubs and leagues while growing up in California.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://cgi1.usatoday.com/mchat/20050518005/tscript.htm | title=U.S. soccer star Landon Donovan | work=USA Today | date=May 18, 2005 | access-date=April 18, 2010 | archive-date=July 14, 2012 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714003447/http://cgi1.usatoday.com/mchat/20050518005/tscript.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> He also speaks German as a result of his time spent in Germany.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ap-us-chandler | title=Chandler making rapid progress for club and country. | publisher=Yahoo sports | date=April 1, 2011 | access-date=April 1, 2011}}</ref> After his two brief stints playing for Everton in which he became a fan favorite, Donovan declared himself an "Evertonian for life".<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/everton-fc/everton-fc-news/2011/01/04/landon-donovan-wants-fairytale-return-to-everton-fc-100252-27928134/ | title=Donovan an Evertonian for life | publisher=Liverpool Echo | date=January 4, 2011 | access-date=January 4, 2011 | archive-date=October 15, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015001843/http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/everton-fc/everton-fc-news/2011/01/04/landon-donovan-wants-fairytale-return-to-everton-fc-100252-27928134/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

He was featured on the American cover of ''[[FIFA Football 2003]]'',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.timeextension.com/guides/fifa-cover-stars-every-athlete-from-1993-to-2022 | title=FIFA Cover Stars - Every Athlete from 1993 to 2022 | date=November 13, 2023 }}</ref> the North American covers of ''[[FIFA 07]]'',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/12/fifa-07-kicks-off-with-seven-soccer-superstars-2 | title=FIFA 07 Kicks off with Seven Soccer Superstars | date=August 12, 2006 }}</ref> ''[[FIFA 11]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Landon Donovan Named Cover Athlete for EA SPORTS FIFA SOCCER 11 |url=https://www.ea.com/news/landon-donovan-cover-athlete-for-fifa-soccer-11 |publisher=EA |date=August 11, 2010 |access-date=May 1, 2020 |archive-date=February 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226113622/http://www.ea.com/news/landon-donovan-cover-athlete-for-fifa-soccer-11 |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[FIFA 12]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=FIFA 12 North American Cover Stars Revealed! |url=https://www.ea.com/news/fifa-12-na-cover-1 |publisher=EA |first=Nemanja |last=Trapara |date=August 8, 2011 |access-date=May 1, 2020 |archive-date=August 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812035449/http://www.ea.com/news/fifa-12-na-cover-1 |url-status=live }}</ref> video games.

In 2016, Donovan became a part owner of Welsh football club [[Swansea City]], joining several other Americans in an investment group that has a majority stake in the club.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/06/09/landon-donovan-swansea-city-ownership | title = Landon Donovan joins Swansea City ownership group | magazine = Sports Illustrated | date = June 9, 2016 | access-date = December 27, 2018 | archive-date = December 27, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181227181456/https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/06/09/landon-donovan-swansea-city-ownership | url-status = live }}</ref>

During the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]], a tournament that the USMT did not qualify for, Donovan tweeted a message of support for the Mexican national team. The message was sponsored by American financial services company [[Wells Fargo]] and was accompanied by a graphic of Donovan brandishing a scarf emblazoned with the text "My other team is Mexico".<ref>{{cite web | url = https://twitter.com/landondonovan/status/1007973608050704384 | title = Wells Fargo pays Donovan to support Mexico | website = Twitter | date = June 16, 2018 | access-date = January 17, 2018 | archive-date = June 17, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180617011805/https://twitter.com/landondonovan/status/1007973608050704384 | url-status = live }}</ref> He was widely criticized, including by his former international teammate [[Carlos Bocanegra]], to whom Donovan responded by saying he should "remember where [he] came from"—a remark referencing Bocanegra's Mexican heritage.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://twitter.com/landondonovan/status/1008108642350972928 | title = Donovan tweets Bocanegra | website = Twitter | date = June 16, 2018 | access-date = January 17, 2018 | archive-date = November 9, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201109034110/https://twitter.com/landondonovan/status/1008108642350972928 | url-status = live }}</ref>

==Career statistics==

===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name="2000–01 season"/><ref name="MLS career"/><ref name="2004–05 season"/><ref name="Landon Donovan » Club matches"/><ref name="2007 season"/><ref name="2008–09 season"/><ref name="MASL career">{{cite web|title=Landon Donovan – Stats|url=https://www.maslsoccer.com/stats#/player/339062|website=maslsoccer.com|publisher=Major Arena Soccer Soccer|access-date=April 20, 2019|archive-date=November 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120075039/https://www.maslsoccer.com/stats#/player/339062|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[DFB-Pokal]], [[U.S. Open Cup]], [[FA Cup]], [[Copa MX]]}}
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]]
|[[1999–2000 Bayer 04 Leverkusen season|1999–2000]]
|[[Bundesliga]]
|0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0
|-
|[[2000–01 Bayer 04 Leverkusen season|2000–01]]
|Bundesliga
||0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0
|-
|[[2004–05 Bayer 04 Leverkusen season|2004–05]]
|Bundesliga
||7||0||0||0||2{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||9||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!7!!0!!0!!0!!2!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!9!!0
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Bayer 04 Leverkusen II|Bayer Leverkusen II]]
|[[1999–2000 Regionalliga|1999–2000]]
|[[Regionalliga Nord]]
|20||6||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||20||6
|-
|2000–01||[[Oberliga (football)|Oberliga]]
|8||3||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||9||3
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!28!!9!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!29!!9
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[San Jose Earthquakes]] (loan)
|[[2001 San Jose Earthquakes season|2001]]
|[[Major League Soccer]]
|22||7||2||0||colspan="2"|—||6{{efn|name=MLS|Appearances in [[MLS Cup playoffs]]}}||5||30||12
|-
|[[2002 San Jose Earthquakes season|2002]]
|Major League Soccer
|20||7||2||0||2{{efn|name=CCC|Appearances in [[CONCACAF Champions Cup]]}}||1||2{{efn|name=MLS}}||1||24||8
|-
|[[2003 San Jose Earthquakes season|2003]]
|Major League Soccer
|22||12||1||0||2{{efn|name=CCC}}||1||4{{efn|name=MLS}}||4||27||16
|-
|[[2004 San Jose Earthquakes season|2004]]
|Major League Soccer
|23||6||3||1||1{{efn|name=CCC}}||0||2{{efn|name=MLS}}||0||28||7
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!87!!32!!8!!1!!5!!2!!14!!10!!114!!45
|-
|rowspan="12"|[[LA Galaxy]]
|[[2005 Los Angeles Galaxy season|2005]]
|[[Major League Soccer]]
|22||12||3||2||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|name=MLS}}||4||29||18
|-
|[[2006 Major League Soccer season|2006]]
|Major League Soccer
|24||12||3||3||2{{efn|name=CCC}}||1||colspan="2"|—||29||16
|-
|[[2007 Los Angeles Galaxy season|2007]]
|Major League Soccer
|25||8||3||1||colspan="2"|—||5{{efn|Appearances in [[North American SuperLiga]]}}||4||33||13
|-
|[[2008 Major League Soccer season|2008]]
|Major League Soccer
|25||20||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||25||20
|-
|[[2009 Los Angeles Galaxy season|2009]]
|Major League Soccer
|25||12||0||0||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|name=MLS}}||3||29||15
|-
|[[2010 Los Angeles Galaxy season|2010]]
|Major League Soccer
|24||7||0||0||2{{efn|name=CCL|Appearances in [[CONCACAF Champions League]]}}||0||3{{efn|name=MLS}}||0||29||7
|-
|[[2011 Los Angeles Galaxy season|2011]]
|Major League Soccer
|23||12||1||0||8{{efn|name=CCL}}||2||4{{efn|name=MLS}}||3||36||17
|-
|[[2012 Los Angeles Galaxy season|2012]]
|Major League Soccer
|26||9||0||0||3{{efn|name=CCL}}||0||5{{efn|name=MLS}}||2||34||11
|-
|[[2013 Los Angeles Galaxy season|2013]]
|Major League Soccer
|22||10||0||0||3{{efn|name=CCL}}||0||2{{efn|name=MLS}}||0||27||10
|-
|[[2014 LA Galaxy season|2014]]
|Major League Soccer
|31||10||1||0||colspan="2"|—||5{{efn|name=MLS}}||3||37||13
|-
|[[2016 LA Galaxy season|2016]]{{efn|This is his second spell with LA Galaxy. He returned to LA Galaxy after retirement}}
|Major League Soccer
||6||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|name=MLS}}||0||9||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!253!!113!!11!!6!!18!!3!!35!!19!!317!!141
|-
|[[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] (loan)
|[[2008–09 FC Bayern Munich season|2008–09]]
|Bundesliga
|6||0||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||7||0
|-
|[[Everton F.C.|Everton]] (loan){{efn|name=Everton|He had two different loan spells with Everton}}
||[[2009–10 Everton F.C. season|2009–10]]
|[[Premier League]]
|10||2||1||0||2{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||13||2
|-
|Everton (loan){{efn|name=Everton}}
|[[2011–12 Everton F.C. season|2011–12]]
|Premier League
|7||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||9||0
|-
|[[Club León|León]]
|[[2017–18 Liga MX season|2017–18]]
|[[Liga MX]]
|6||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||8||0
|-
|[[San Diego Sockers (2009-)|San Diego Sockers]] (indoor)||[[2018–19 Major Arena Soccer League season|2018–19]]||[[Major Arena Soccer League]]
|8||5||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=Ron Newman Cup playoffs|Appearances in the [[Major Arena Soccer League#Ron Newman Cup|Ron Newman Cup playoffs]]}}||0||10||5
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!412!!161!!26!!7!!27!!5!!51!!29!!511!!200
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/7101/Landon_Donovan.html |title=Landon Donovan – National Football Teams profile |work=National Football Teams |access-date=September 17, 2013 |archive-date=November 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111205917/http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/7101/Landon_Donovan.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="15"|[[United States men's national soccer team|United States]]
|2000||1||1
|-
|2001||8||0
|-
|2002||20||6
|-
|2003||15||7
|-
|2004||14||5
|-
|2005||15||6
|-
|2006||11||0
|-
|2007||12||9
|-
|2008||9||3
|-
|2009||15||5
|-
|2010||8||3
|-
|2011||10||1
|-
|2012||6||3
|-
|2013||10||8
|-
|2014||3||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!157!!57
|}

==Coaching statistics==
{{updated|match played October 24, 2022}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/san-diego-loyal-sc-team-stats |title=San Diego Loyal 2020 Team Stats |website=uslchampionship.com |access-date=29 March 2021 |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303082658/https://www.uslchampionship.com/san-diego-loyal-sc-team-stats |url-status=live }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+Coaching record by team and tenure
! rowspan="2" |Team
! rowspan="2" |From
! rowspan="2" |To
! colspan="8" |Record
|-
!{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}
!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}
!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}
!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}
!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}
!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}
!{{Tooltip|GD|Goal difference}}
!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}			
|-
|[[San Diego Loyal SC|San Diego Loyal]]
|align=left|March 7, 2020
|align=left|December 2, 2022
{{WDL|85|39|17|29|for=138|against=120|diff=yes}}
|-
|[[San Diego Wave]] (interim)
|August 16, 2024
|Present
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0.00
|-
!colspan="3"|Total
{{WDLtot|85|39|17|29|for=138|against=120|diff=yes}}
|}

==Honors==
'''San Jose Earthquakes'''<ref name="Soccerway">{{Soccerway|id=landon-donovan/666|archive=20241201164441}}</ref>
*[[MLS Cup]]: [[2001 MLS Cup|2001]], [[2003 MLS Cup|2003]]
**[[Western Conference (MLS)|Western Conference Regular Season]]: [[2003 Major League Soccer season|2003]]
**[[Western Conference (MLS)|Western Conference Playoffs]]: [[2003 Major League Soccer season|2003]]

'''LA Galaxy'''<ref name="Soccerway" />
*[[Supporters' Shield]]: [[2010 Major League Soccer season|2010]], [[2011 Major League Soccer season|2011]]
*[[Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup]]: [[2005 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|2005]]
*[[MLS Cup]]: [[MLS Cup 2005|2005]], [[MLS Cup 2011|2011]], [[MLS Cup 2012|2012]], [[MLS Cup 2014|2014]]
**[[Western Conference (MLS)|Western Conference Regular Season]]: [[2009 Major League Soccer season|2009]], [[2010 Major League Soccer season|2010]], [[2011 Major League Soccer season|2011]]
**[[Western Conference (MLS)|Western Conference Playoffs]]: [[2005 Major League Soccer season|2005]], [[2009 Major League Soccer season|2009]], [[2011 Major League Soccer season|2011]], [[2012 Major League Soccer season|2012]], [[2014 Major League Soccer season|2014]] 

'''San Diego Sockers'''
*[[Major Arena Soccer League|Pacific Division Regular Season]]: [[2018–19 Major Arena Soccer League season|2018–19]]
**[[Major Arena Soccer League|Pacific Division Playoffs]]: [[2018–19 Major Arena Soccer League season|2018–19]]

'''United States'''<ref name="Soccerway" />
*[[FIFA Confederations Cup]] runner-up: [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup|2009]]
*[[CONCACAF Gold Cup]]: [[2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2002]], [[2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2005]], [[2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2007]], [[2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2013]]

'''Individual'''
*[[U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year|U.S. Soccer Young Athlete of the Year]]: 2000<ref name="US Soccer">{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/13/37/donovan-solo-gil-and-heath-voted-2009-us-soccer-athletes-of-the-year|title=DONOVAN, SOLO, GIL AND HEATH VOTED 2009 U.S. SOCCER ATHLETES OF THE YEAR|publisher=U.S. Soccer|access-date=August 11, 2017|archive-date=August 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811110705/http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/13/37/donovan-solo-gil-and-heath-voted-2009-us-soccer-athletes-of-the-year|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year]]: 2003, 2004, 2009,<ref name="US Soccer"/> 2010
*[[Best Male Soccer Player ESPY Award]]: 2002
*[[Best MLS Player ESPY Award]]: 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011
*[[Honda Player of the Year]]: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
*[[FIFA U-17 World Cup]] [[FIFA U-17 World Cup#Awards|Golden Ball]]: [[1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship|1999]]
*[[FIFA World Cup awards#FIFA Young Player Award|FIFA World Cup Best Young Player Award]]: [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002]]
*[[FIFA World Cup awards#All-Star Team|FIFA World Cup All-Star Team]]: 2002 (Reserve)<ref name=02team>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/50/08/41/fwc_korea_japan_2002_a_part1_265.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711052315/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/50/08/41/fwc_korea_japan_2002_a_part1_265.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 11, 2009|title=2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan: Report and Statistics|access-date=January 19, 2015|publisher=FIFA.com}}</ref>
*[[CONCACAF Gold Cup]] Best XI: [[2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup#Awards|2002]], [[2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup#Awards|2003]], [[2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup#Best XI|2005]], [[2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2013]]; Honorable Mention: [[2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup#All-Tournament team|2007]]
*[[CONCACAF Gold Cup]] MVP: [[2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2013]]
*[[CONCACAF Gold Cup]] Top Scorer: [[2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup#Goalscorers|2003]], [[2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup#Goalscorers|2005]], [[2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup#Goalscorers|2013]]
*[[CONCACAF Gold Cup]] Best Goal: [[2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2011]] (second place)
*[[CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship]] Best XI: [[2004 CONCACAF Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament|2004]]
*[[LA_Galaxy#Player_of_the_Year|LA Galaxy Player of the Year]]: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011
*[[LA_Galaxy#Golden_Boot|LA Galaxy Golden Boot]]: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
*[[LA Galaxy]] Humanitarian of the Year: 2007, 2008<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/club/history/honors |title=Honors & Awards &#124; LA Galaxy |website=lagalaxy.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905182232/http://www.lagalaxy.com/club/history/honors |archive-date=5 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Everton F.C.|Everton]] Player of the Month: January 2010, January 2012<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2012/02/17/2912415/in-english-premier-league-loans-landon-donovan-robbie-keane |title=In English Premier League loans, Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane and Thierry Henry prove able MLS ambassadors |first=Seth |last=Vertelney |date=February 17, 2012 |publisher=Goal.com |access-date=August 11, 2017 |archive-date=August 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829211514/http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2012/02/17/2912415/in-english-premier-league-loans-landon-donovan-robbie-keane |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[MLS All-Time Best XI]]: [[Midfielder]]
*[[Landon Donovan MVP Award|Major League Soccer MVP]]: 2009<ref name="US Soccer"/>
*[[MLS Player of the Month]]: September 2003, April 2003, April 2008, July 2009, May 2011, August 2014
*[[MLS Best XI]]: 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014
*[[MLS Cup#List of MVP award recipients|MLS Cup MVP]]: 2003, 2011
*[[MLS All-Star Game|MLS All-Star]]: [[2001 MLS All-Star Game|2001]], [[2002 MLS All-Star Game|2002]], [[2003 MLS All-Star Game|2003]], [[2004 MLS All-Star Game|2004]], [[2005 MLS All-Star Game|2005]], [[2007 MLS All-Star Game|2007]], [[2008 MLS All-Star Game|2008]], [[2009 MLS All-Star Game|2009]], [[2010 MLS All-Star Game|2010]], [[2011 MLS All-Star Game|2011]], [[2012 MLS All-Star Game|2012]], [[2013 MLS All-Star Game|2013]], [[2014 MLS All-Star Game|2014]]
*[[MLS_All-Star_Game#Most_Valuable_Player|MLS All-Star Game MVP]]: [[2001 MLS All-Star Game|2001]], [[2014 MLS All-Star Game|2014]]
*[[Major League Soccer|MLS]] Top Assist Provider: [[2007 Major League Soccer season|2007]], [[2010 Major League Soccer season|2010]], [[2014 Major League Soccer season|2014]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/stats/season?season_year=2014&group=ASSISTS |title=Major League Soccer – Statistics – Assists}}</ref>
*[[List of Major League Soccer players with 100 or more goals|MLS 100 goals club]]
*[[Major League Soccer|MLS]] 50/50 Club<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-50-50-club-set-welcome-its-19th-member | title = MLS' 50-50 club set to welcome its 19th member | website = mlssoccer.com | date = September 11, 2017 | access-date = July 12, 2023 | first = Nick | last = Rosano}}</ref>
*[[MLS Golden Boot]]: 2008
*[[MLS Golden Boot|MLS Silver Boot]]: [[2010 Major League Soccer season|2010]]
*[[MLS Goal of the Year]]: 2009
*[[North American SuperLiga]] Top Scorer: [[2007 North American SuperLiga|2007]]
*[[Univision Deportes|Premios Univision Deportes]] Lifetime Achievement Award: 2014<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2014/12/19/landon-donovan-receives-lifetime-achievement-award-premios-univision-deportes|title=Landon Donovan receives Lifetime Achievement Award at Premios Univision Deportes &#124; LA Galaxy|access-date=November 15, 2020|archive-date=December 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215202432/http://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2014/12/19/landon-donovan-receives-lifetime-achievement-award-premios-univision-deportes|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Walt Chyzowych]] Fund Distinguished Playing Career Award: 2017<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://waltslegacy.com/distinguished-playing-career-award/landon-donovan|title=Landon Donovan|access-date=November 18, 2020|archive-date=May 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509140848/https://waltslegacy.com/distinguished-playing-career-award/landon-donovan|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[IFFHS]] Legends<ref>{{cite web|url=https://iffhs.de/index.php/showLegendProfile/25|title=IFFHS announce the 48 football legend players|publisher=IFFHS|date=January 25, 2016|access-date=September 14, 2016|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116160146/https://iffhs.de/index.php/showLegendProfile/25|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Major League Soccer|MLS]] Greatest Player of All Time<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/the-25-greatest-presented-by-att |title=The 25 Greatest presented by AT&T |website=mlssoccer.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209182219/https://www.mlssoccer.com/the-25-greatest-presented-by-att |archive-date=9 December 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[National Soccer Hall of Fame]]: 2023<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nationalsoccerhof.com/news/2022/11/damarcus-beasley-landon-donovan-elected-soccer-hall-of-fame.html | title=DaMarcus Beasley, Landon Donovan Elected to National Soccer Hall of Fame &#124; National Soccer Hall of Fame | date=November 26, 2022 | access-date=November 26, 2022 | archive-date=November 26, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126190620/https://www.nationalsoccerhof.com/news/2022/11/damarcus-beasley-landon-donovan-elected-soccer-hall-of-fame.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps]]
* [[List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals]]
* [[List of athletes who came out of retirement#Football|List of athletes who came out of retirement]]
* [[Landon Donovan MVP Award]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.landondonovan.com/}}
* {{FIFA player|175507}}
* {{UEFA player|56247}}
* {{MLS player|landon-donovan}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140305145105/http://www.evertonfc.com/player-profile/landon-donovan Landon Donovan] at [[Everton FC]] (archived)
* {{ESPN FC|19107}}
* {{Soccerway|new_id=donovan-landon/Ac46tWYj|id=landon-donovan/666|archive=20241201164441}}
* {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712070621/http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/45131/landon-donovan-usa-soccer-hero |title=Landon Donovan: USA Soccer Hero |date=July 12, 2010 }}

{{S-start}}
{{S-sports}}
{{Succession box|title=[[LA Galaxy]] captain|years=2007|before=[[Cobi Jones]]|after=[[David Beckham]]}}
{{Succession box|title=LA Galaxy captain|years=2009–2013|before=David Beckham|after=[[Robbie Keane]]}}
{{Succession box|title=[[United states men's national soccer team|USA]] captain|years=2012–2014|before=[[Carlos Bocanegra]]|after=[[Clint Dempsey]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{San Diego Wave FC managers}}
{{Navboxes
|title= United States squads
|bg= white
|fg= #002868
|bordercolor= #BF0A30
|list1=
{{United States men's football squad 2000 Summer Olympics}}
{{United States squad 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{United States squad 2002 FIFA World Cup}}
{{United States squad 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{United States squad 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{United States squad 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{United States squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}
{{United States squad 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{United States squad 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{United States squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}
{{United States squad 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{United States squad 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|bg = gold
|fg = navy
|title= Awards
|list1=
{{National Soccer Hall of Fame members}}
{{2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup Team of the Tournament}}
{{2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup Team of the Tournament}}
{{2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup Team of the Tournament}}
{{2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup Team of the Tournament}}
{{FIFA World Cup Best Young Player}}
{{CONCACAF Gold Cup awards}}
{{FIFA U-17 World Cup awards}}
{{US Soccer Athlete}}
{{MLS top scorers}}
{{Major League Soccer MVP Award}}
{{MLS All-Star Game MVP}}
{{MLS Cup MVP}}
{{MLS Goal of the Year}}
{{MLSXI}}
{{Honda Player of the Year}}
{{ESPY Best MLS Player}}
{{2003 MLS Best XI}}
{{2008 MLS Best XI}}
{{2009 MLS Best XI}}
{{2010 MLS Best XI}}
{{2011 MLS Best XI}}
{{2012 MLS Best XI}}
{{2014 MLS Best XI}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Donovan, Landon}}
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