The Official Site of Landon Donovan

Landon's Story

Landon Timothy Donovan was born on March 4, 1982, in Ontario, California. Landon along with his twin sister Tristan, and older brother Josh, were raised by their mother Donna.

Growing up, Landon always had a knack for playing soccer. At the age of five he joined his first competitive league. Playing against primarily older competition, Landon did more than hold his own scoring seven goals in his first game. Ten years later, Landon began playing for the U.S. national program and made his international debut with the Under 17 (U-17) team. Later, Landon became the youngest player ever to be called up to the U-23 team.
Landon had hit the soccer scene in a hurry and was not only becoming an American hope but moreover, a growing European interest. He began drawing the attention of many major English clubs including renowned ones such as Manchester United and Arsenal, who each invited him to try out for their team. However, Landon ended up signing with German club Bayer Leverkusen who had pursued him the most aggressively. At only seventeen Landon was on his way to Germany where life was much harder than he had expected.

Landon had trouble adapting to the German culture. Unable to speak the language, and once again playing against much older competition, Landon wasn’t enjoying the experience. Unhappy and not fully committed to his new German team, Landon found himself spending much of his time in America once again training with the U-17 team. This time however, Landon was two years older, wiser and more experienced. He played an integral part in leading the American team to the semi-finals; its highest finish in ten years scoring three goals and setting up another in only five games. Landon was awarded the Gold Ball for tournament MVP.

The next goal in sight for Landon was the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney. After sitting on the bench due to his young age for much of the tournament, Landon finally saw his first action in a crucial game against Kuwait to determine which country would advance to the quarterfinals. Sealing the game with a late goal, Landon played a key role in the game helping the U.S. advance past the first round for the first time in Olympic soccer.

After being loaned to MLS’s San Jose Earthquakes from Bayer for a fee of $4 million, Landon’s days in Germany were numbered. He remained in America for the next four years, and in 2003 he was named U.S. soccer athlete of the year. During his stint in the U.S. Landon helped the Earthquakes go from worst to first as he helped them capture the MLS Cup in 2001 after having a league-worst record the year before.

When the World Cup in 2002 rolled around, Landon became the poster boy for the American team. A very young and inexperienced group, the team led by Landon wasn’t expected to do much. However, Landon and his teammates didn’t let poor expectations faze them. The U.S. upset Portugal in the first game and advanced all the way to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1930.
In 2003 season with the Earthquake, Landon had another spectacular season. In 22 games that year Landon totaled 12 goals and 6 assists and was discussed as an MVP candidate. Furthermore, Landon led the Earthquake to top honors in the West and another playoff season. The Earthquake went on to win another championship and Landon was named MVP of the championship game against the Chicago Fire.

As Landon’s popularity in America grew and his skill became more globally recognized, his four year loan to the Earthquake came to an abrupt end and Bayer asked for him back. He still had four years remaining on his contract with Bayer. In 2005 Landon fulfilled his duties and went back to Germany. After several games passed and Landon had only started two games, he expressed his desire to return to America. Bayer respected his wishes and let him go back to the states. However, because San Jose had traded away Landon’s rights, he was to go to the team at the top of the allocation pecking order. The Los Angeles Galaxy made a trade in order to ensure themselves this position and Landon became the newest member of Galaxy.

In his first year with his new team, Landon had one of the best seasons of his young career tallying 12 goals and 10 assists in 22 games. On his way to leading the Galaxy to an MLS championship, Landon notched 4 postseason goals. The next year Landon had another successful season with the Galaxy, although he missed eight games while playing for the U.S. National Team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. He still managed to tie his career high in goals with 12. Unfortunately his success in the U.S. didn’t translate to Germany as the Americans were knocked out during group play.

Although Landon and the Americans struggled in Germany, Landon has a gaudy international record over the course of his career. Landon is leads the USA’s all time goals and assists lists. He is also the youngest player in U.S. history to reach 50 caps (international appearances) and will be the youngest player to reach 100 when he gets his next international cap.
In 2007, Landon had another great season leading the Galaxy with 8 goals and a new career high 13 assists. Landon was involved in over half the team’s goals and was named to the MLS All-Star Team for the seventh straight year. That year Landon joined an elite list comprised of only eight players in MLS history to have both 60 goals and 60 assists. Even more impressive is the fact that he accomplished this at only 25. Landon is also 10th in MLS regular season goal scoring history with 72 goals and 2nd in playoff history with 14.

The start of the 2008 season has been Landon’s best yet with 9 goals in the first 9 games of the season. He and newly acquired David Beckham have formed a dynamic offensive connection and together have the Galaxy eyeing another championship.