Curiosity loomed around the nation. "Will we ever see Landon Donovan in the stars and stripes before his retirement?" Indeed. Landon Donovan has been called up to play for the United States Men's National Team in a friendly against Ecuador on October 10th, 2014. The game will take place at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut.
Landon Donovan will make his last appearance for the USMNT as a record holder in goals (57) and assists (58) for the USA. Donovan is the only American to surpass 50 goals and 50 assists in his playing career. Making 156 appearances for the USMNT, currently marks him as second of all time in US history. As of June 2008, he was the fastest player to earn 100 caps for the USA.
Donovan’s five goals in World Cup matches are the most all-time by any American player to play in the largest soccer tournament in the world. Landon Donovan was also the only American to ever win the Golden Ball at any FIFA event; Also being named US Soccer Player of the year 4 times (2003, 2004, 2009, 2010), FIFA's best Young Player Award at the 2002 World Cup, the CONCACAF Gold Cup MVP in 2013, and the Gold Cup Best XI 4 times (2002, 2003, 2005, 2013).
After recording a Major League Soccer record 140 goals, and 125 assists to this date, Donovan announced that he would retire at the end of the 2014 MLS season.
What does this mean for USMNT? With Landon Donovan retiring, many fans say that he cannot be replaced.
After being left off of the 2014 World Cup squad to Brazil, Landon Donovan was brought on by ESPN to be a soccer analyst for the USMNT, back in New York. With the talent that was flown to Brazil, many players showed that they could be the next name on fans' lips. Jermaine Jones, Julian Green, Mix Diskerud, are just to name a few. They may be able to perform as well as Donovan, but maybe can't set the bar as high as he did.
You can look Landon Donovan make his final USMNT appearance on ESPN, the WatchESPN app, UniMas, and ESPNDeportes at 7:00 pm ET on October 10th.