Landon Donovan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Landon Donovan

Donovan playing for LA Galaxy in 2010
Personal information
Date of birth	(1982-03-04) March 4, 1982 (age 43)
Place of birth	Ontario, California, United States
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Playing position	Winger, forward
Youth career
1999	IMG Academy
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1999–2000	Bayer Leverkusen II	28	(9)
2000–2005	Bayer Leverkusen	7	(0)
2001–2004	→ San Jose Earthquakes (loan)	87	(32)
2005–2014	LA Galaxy	247	(112)
2009	→ Bayern Munich (loan)	6	(0)
2010	→ Everton (loan)	10	(2)
2012	→ Everton (loan)	7	(0)
2016	LA Galaxy	6	(1)
2018	León	6	(0)
2018–2019	San Diego Sockers (indoor)	10	(5)
Total		416	(161)
National team
1998–1999	United States U17	41	(35)
2001	United States U20	4	(0)
2000–2004	United States U23	15	(9)
2000–2014	United States	157	(57)
2019	United States (indoor)	1	(0)
Teams managed
2020–2022	San Diego Loyal
2024	San Diego Wave (interim)
Honours Men's soccer Representing  United States CONCACAF Gold Cup Winner 2002 United States Winner 2005 United States Winner 2007 United States Winner 2013 United States Runner-up 2011 United States Third 2003 United States–Mexico FIFA Confederations Cup Runner-up 2009 South Africa
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Landon Timothy Donovan (born March 4, 1982) is an American former professional soccer player and coach. He was most recently the temporary head coach for San Diego Wave FC, a team in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Many people think Donovan is one of the best U.S. soccer players ever. He holds the world record for the most international assists by a male player (58). He is also tied with Clint Dempsey for the most international goals scored by a male U.S. player (57).

Donovan started his soccer journey at IMG Academy. In 1999, he signed with Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Germany. After six years with Leverkusen, where he spent most of his time on loan with the San Jose Earthquakes in MLS, Donovan returned to the United States for good. He joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2005. Later, he went on short loans to Bayern Munich in Germany and twice to the English Premier League club Everton in 2010 and 2012.

He first retired as a player in 2014. However, he made a short comeback with LA Galaxy in late 2016. Then, in 2018, he played for León in Mexico. He also played one season with the San Diego Sockers in the Major Arena Soccer League (an indoor league). Overall, Donovan won a record six MLS Cups. He is also the MLS all-time leader in assists with 136. The Major League Soccer MVP Award is now called the Landon Donovan MVP Award in his honor.

Donovan first played for the U.S. men's national team in 2000. He is the all-time leader in assists for the U.S. team. He is tied with Clint Dempsey for the most goals scored. He is also the second-most-capped player for his country, meaning he has played in the second-highest number of games. Donovan is the only American player to score 50 goals and make 50 assists for the national team. He has won the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award four times, which ties him with Christian Pulisic. He is also the only player to win the Honda Player of the Year award seven times. Donovan was a key player for the U.S. team that reached the quarter-finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. There, he won the Best Young Player Award. His three goals in the 2010 World Cup made him the highest-scoring American male player in World Cup history.

Growing Up and Learning Soccer

Landon Timothy Donovan was born on March 4, 1982, in Ontario, California. He has a twin sister named Tristan. His mother, Donna Kenney-Cash, was a special education teacher. His father, Tim Donovan, was a semi-professional ice hockey player from Canada. Both of Donovan's parents have Irish roots, and he also has Canadian citizenship because of his father. His mother raised Landon and his siblings in Redlands, California. He went to Redlands East Valley High School when he wasn't busy with soccer.

Donovan started playing soccer with his older brother. When he was six, his mom let him join an organized league. In his very first game, he scored seven goals! Donovan played for a club called Cal Heat, based in Rancho Cucamonga, California. In 1997, he joined the U.S. Youth Soccer's Olympic Development Program. In 1999, Donovan went to the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. This was part of a special youth program by U.S. Soccer for the U-17 national team.

He was part of the first group of players in the U.S. Soccer youth residency program. Donovan was named the best player (Player of the Tournament) at the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship. His U.S. under-17 team finished fourth in the tournament. After this, he signed with the German club Bayer 04 Leverkusen later that year.

Playing for Clubs

Starting with Bayer Leverkusen and San Jose Earthquakes

Donovan with the San Jose Earthquakes at the 2003 MLS Cup

In 1999, Donovan signed a six-year deal with the German club Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Even though he became a regular player for their reserve team, Donovan found it hard to get used to living overseas. He was allowed to spend more time training with U.S. youth national teams.

Because he wasn't happy at Leverkusen, Donovan was loaned to the San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer (MLS) for the 2001 season. In MLS, Donovan quickly became successful. He helped the Earthquakes win the MLS Cup championships in 2001 and 2003. He became one of the most recognized soccer players in the United States. In his four years in the league, he scored 32 goals and made 29 assists in regular season games. He also scored ten goals and made six assists in the playoffs. Two of those goals were in the 2003 MLS Cup, where the Earthquakes beat Chicago Fire SC 4–2. Donovan was named the best player of that match. He was also named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year in 2003.

In 2004, Donovan became the first male player to be named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year three years in a row. He then went back to the Bayer Leverkusen first team in January 2005. After playing seven matches with Leverkusen in the 2004–05 season, Donovan asked to leave the club. He wanted to return to the United States. The LA Galaxy, his hometown team, managed to trade their top scorer Carlos Ruiz to get the chance to sign Donovan.

Playing for LA Galaxy

2005 to 2014: A Star Player

Donovan signed a big contract with LA Galaxy, becoming the highest-paid American player in the league. In his first season with the club, Donovan scored 12 goals and made 10 assists. He added four goals and one assist in the playoffs, helping LA Galaxy win the MLS Cup. This was his third MLS championship. After the season, he was named to the MLS All-Time Best XI, which is a list of the best players ever in MLS.

In 2007, David Beckham joined LA Galaxy, and Donovan gave up his role as team captain to him. Donovan was the top scorer in the 2007 North American SuperLiga tournament, scoring six goals in five matches. By this time, Donovan had 84 regular season goals, putting him high on the league's all-time scoring list. The 2008 MLS season was tough for LA Galaxy, but Donovan had a great year. He scored 20 goals and made 9 assists in 25 matches, working well with David Beckham.

After his former national team coach Bruce Arena became LA Galaxy's head coach, Donovan became the team captain again. In July 2009, Donovan made some comments about Beckham in a book, which caused some discussion. He later said sorry to Beckham for not talking to him directly. They made up, and Donovan had an excellent 2009 season. He won the league's Most Valuable Player award and the MLS Goal of The Year. He led LA Galaxy to the MLS Cup 2009 final, which they lost in a penalty shootout. After the season, Donovan signed a new contract with LA Galaxy, which allowed him to play for other teams on loan during the MLS off-season. On August 1, 2010, Donovan scored his 100th MLS goal. On September 18, 2010, he became the all-time leading scorer for LA Galaxy.

LA Galaxy had another successful year in 2010, winning the MLS Supporters' Shield for the first time since 2003. Donovan scored 7 goals and had a team-high 16 assists. In the playoffs, LA Galaxy lost in the semi-finals.

In 2011, LA Galaxy won the MLS Supporter's Shield again. In the 2011 MLS Cup, Donovan scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute against the Houston Dynamo. This secured his fourth MLS Cup title. Donovan was named the MLS Cup MVP.

In October 2012, Donovan said he wanted to take a break from soccer because he felt tired. In LA Galaxy's next match, the 2012 MLS Cup, Donovan scored a penalty kick to give LA a 2–1 lead. This was his fifth goal in MLS Cup Finals. LA Galaxy won their second straight MLS Cup, 3–1.

Donovan returned to training with LA Galaxy on March 25, 2013. He played his first game of the season five days later. He scored two goals against Chivas USA, which tied him with Jeff Cunningham as the top MLS goalscorer with 134 goals. On May 25, 2014, Donovan scored twice against the Philadelphia Union. This broke Cunningham's record, making Donovan MLS's all-time leading goalscorer with 136 goals. On August 7, 2014, Donovan announced he would retire at the end of the 2014 MLS season. The season ended with LA Galaxy winning their fourth MLS Cup with Donovan on December 7, 2014.

Playing for Other Clubs (Loans)

Donovan before his Everton debut against Arsenal

In November 2008, Donovan trained with Bayern Munich and then joined the German club on loan. He played in five friendly matches, scoring four goals. He also played in six league matches and one German Cup match. At the end of the loan, Bayern decided not to keep him.

After the 2009 MLS season, Donovan joined the English Premier League team Everton on loan in January 2010. During this time, he played in 13 matches, scored two goals, and was named the club's Player of the Month for January. Everton wanted to keep him longer, but LA Galaxy said no, and Donovan returned to the U.S. for the start of the 2010 MLS season.

In December 2011, it was agreed that Donovan would spend another two months at Everton starting in January 2012. He made his return debut on January 4, 2012. In his third match, he helped Everton score a goal in a 1–1 draw. On January 27, he assisted both goals in a 2–1 win over Fulham in the FA Cup. He continued to make assists, helping Everton win games.

Returning to LA Galaxy (Again!)

On September 8, 2016, Donovan announced he was coming out of retirement. He officially signed with LA Galaxy for the rest of the 2016 season.

Donovan explained that many injuries to players on the team led him to come back: "Two weeks ago, I was watching a game and LA Galaxy had three players get hurt. Other players left the team, too. I talked to some of the staff and players, and they joked if I was ready to come back and help. I told them I hadn't played a real game in almost two years. But then I started thinking about it. I care a lot about the Galaxy, and I thought I could help the team try to win a sixth MLS championship."

On September 11, 2016, Donovan entered a match against Orlando City as a substitute. Since his usual number 10 jersey was being worn by Giovani dos Santos, Donovan chose number 26. This was the number he wore at Bayer Leverkusen when he started his career.

Donovan scored a goal in his second match after returning. On September 18, 2016, he came on as a substitute and scored two minutes later to tie the game 2–2.

Donovan played in all six remaining regular season matches in 2016, and all three playoff matches. He started in five of them and scored one goal. After the playoffs, Donovan retired for the second time.

Playing for León

On January 12, 2018, Donovan signed with the Liga MX team León in Mexico. He had returned from retirement for a second time. He played his first Liga MX game on February 10, 2018. He scored his first goal for the club in a friendly match against his old team, the San Jose Earthquakes. On June 17, 2018, Club León announced that Donovan's contract had ended early.

Playing Indoor Soccer with San Diego Sockers

On January 24, 2019, Donovan signed with the San Diego Sockers in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL), which is an indoor soccer league. He made an assist in his first MASL game. He scored his first two goals for the Sockers in the next game, scoring the first goal after just 12 seconds! Donovan was named to MASL's Team of the Week and also as a Top Newcomer.

Playing for His Country: The U.S. National Team

Donovan was part of the first group of players in the U.S. Soccer's special program for the under-17 national team at the IMG Academy. In his two years with the U-17 team, he scored 35 goals in 41 games. He won the Golden Ball award as the best player at the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship. He also played for the United States at the 1999 Pan American Games. In 2000, he started playing for both the United States U-23 men's national soccer team and the main senior team.

Donovan played his first FIFA World Cup game in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He started in the surprising win against Portugal, a team many thought would do very well. The Americans won 3–2. Donovan's pass led to a goal, giving the U.S. a 2–0 lead. Later, he scored his first World Cup goal in a 3–1 loss to Poland. He then scored his second goal of the tournament with a header, helping the Americans win 2–0 against their rivals Mexico. Even though the U.S. lost to Germany in the quarter-finals, Donovan was named the Best Young Player of the tournament.

Donovan during practice in 2006

Donovan was also on the U.S. team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The team was knocked out in the group stage. He didn't score any goals or make any assists, and some American fans were critical of his performance. The next year, he helped the U.S. win the 2007 Gold Cup. He scored four goals, including an important penalty kick in the 2–1 win over Mexico in the final. On January 19, 2008, Donovan scored his 35th international goal, passing Eric Wynalda to become the United States' all-time leading goal scorer. Donovan reached 100 games played for his country at age 26, becoming one of the youngest players to do so.

Donovan was the captain for the U.S. team in the group stage of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. He scored a penalty kick against Italy and also scored for the U.S. in a close 3–2 loss to Brazil in the final. On October 10, 2009, Donovan scored a free-kick goal, giving the U.S. a 3–2 victory over Honduras. This win meant the U.S. qualified for the World Cup.

Donovan (left) playing against Algeria at the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Donovan played every minute of the U.S. team's games at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He scored against Slovenia to help the U.S. come back for a 2–2 draw. He also scored the only goal in the last seconds of a 1–0 win against Algeria. This win helped the U.S. finish first in their World Cup group for the first time since 1930. Donovan scored a penalty in the round of 16 against Ghana, but the U.S. lost 2–1 and was eliminated. His goals in South Africa made Donovan the highest-scoring American male in World Cup history. He is also one of only three American men to score in more than one World Cup. His five World Cup goals are the most for any male player from the CONCACAF region.

After missing some World Cup qualifying games in 2013, Donovan was called back to the national team for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. On July 5, 2013, he became the first U.S. player to reach 50 international goals. Four days later, Donovan became the first player to reach 50 goals and 50 assists for the United States. This happened during a 6–1 win against Belize, where he scored one goal and made two assists. The U.S. won the Gold Cup title, and Donovan was named the tournament's Best Player.

In May 2014, Donovan was named to the first group of players for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. However, on May 22, 2014, the coach, Jürgen Klinsmann, decided not to include him in the final team. Klinsmann said it was a tough decision but that other players were "a little bit ahead of him." This decision caused some debate.

On October 10, 2014, Donovan played his 157th and final game for the United States in a friendly match against Ecuador. This game was set up to give Donovan a proper farewell. After he retired, The Guardian newspaper called him the U.S. team's greatest player ever.

How He Played Soccer

Donovan was a very flexible attacker. He was known for his speed and how long he could play without getting tired. He was also very smart and had great technical skills. This allowed him to play in many different positions, both as a forward and in midfield, throughout his career. His long-time coach, Bruce Arena, once said that Donovan was so good at many positions that it was hard to decide where to put him.

Early in his career, Donovan often played as a forward who dropped back a bit. He was known for his quickness and ability to score goals. As he played more professionally, coaches used him more as a wide attacking midfielder. In this role, he could also help the team by creating chances for others, seeing passes, and working hard on defense. Donovan was also good at taking set pieces (like corner kicks and free kicks) and was often the first choice to take penalty kicks for his club and country.

Coaching Career

MLS Homegrown Game

In July 2015, Donovan was chosen to be the head coach for a team of young MLS players in the 2015 MLS Homegrown Game. He coached the team again in 2016.

San Diego Loyal

On November 14, 2019, Landon Donovan became the first manager of the San Diego Loyal. He also helped start the team and was its vice president of soccer operations. Donovan knew that hiring him was a risk because he had never coached before. So, he surrounded himself with experienced staff.

During his first season, Donovan led San Diego to a 6-5-5 record. Donovan and the Loyal gained attention when they gave up their last two matches of the season. This happened after players on their team reported being racially abused by other teams, and nothing was done about it.

On December 2, 2022, Donovan became the full-time Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations for Loyal. The team stopped playing on October 23, 2023, because they couldn't find a stadium and MLS was expanding to San Diego.

San Diego Wave

On August 16, 2024, Donovan was announced as the temporary head coach of National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club San Diego Wave FC. His time as temporary head coach ended on November 18, 2024.

Life Off the Field

Working in Broadcasting

After not being chosen for the 2014 World Cup team, Donovan joined the ESPN/ABC broadcast team as an analyst. After he retired from playing, Donovan became a commentator for FOX Sports. He has also called U.S. national team games and worked for ESPN/ABC for the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.

San Diego Loyal (Owner and Leader)

Donovan, along with Warren Smith, helped start a new soccer team in San Diego in June 2019. The team, called San Diego Loyal, started playing in the USL Championship in 2020. Warren Smith was the president, and Donovan was the executive vice president of soccer operations and head coach.

Lincoln City

On June 17, 2021, it was announced that Donovan would join Lincoln City as a Strategic Advisor. He would help the club connect with more people, especially in North America.

Personal Life

Donovan married actress Bianca Kajlich on December 31, 2006. They separated in 2009, and Donovan filed for divorce in 2010. In May 2015, he married Hannah Bartell. Their first child, a son named Talon, was born in January 2016. Donovan has talked openly about dealing with challenges to his mental well-being throughout his life and career. He has also spoken about how professional sports should better support mental health.

Since joining the Galaxy, Donovan has lived in Manhattan Beach, California. He speaks fluent Spanish, which he learned in school and by playing in Hispanic clubs. He also speaks German from his time in Germany. After playing for Everton twice, he became a big fan of the club and said he was an "Evertonian for life."

He was featured on the American covers of the FIFA Football 2003, FIFA 07, FIFA 11 and FIFA 12 video games.

In 2016, Donovan became a part-owner of the Welsh football club Swansea City. He joined other Americans in a group that owns most of the club.

During the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Donovan said he was a fan of the Mexico team since the U.S. team wasn't playing. Some people disagreed with his choice.

Career Stats

Club Games

International Games

Coaching Stats

Awards and Achievements

With San Jose Earthquakes

• MLS Cup: 2001, 2003

With LA Galaxy

• MLS Cup: 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014
• Supporters' Shield: 2010, 2011
• Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: 2005

With United States National Team

• CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2002, 2005, 2007, 2013
• FIFA Confederations Cup: runner-up 2009

Individual Awards

• U.S. Soccer Young Athlete of the Year: 2000
• U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year: 2003, 2004, 2009, 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 Golden Ball: 1999
• FIFA World Cup Best Young Player Award: 2002
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2002 (Reserve)
• CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2013; Honorable Mention: 2007
• CONCACAF Gold Cup MVP: 2013
• CONCACAF Gold Cup top scorer: 2003, 2005, 2013
• LA Galaxy Player of the Year: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011
• LA Galaxy Golden Boot: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
• Everton Player of the Month: January 2010, January 2012
• MLS All-Time Best XI: Midfielder
• Major League Soccer MVP: 2009
• 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 MVP: 2003, 2011
• MLS All-Star: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
• MLS All-Star Game MVP: 2001, 2014
• MLS top assist provider: 2007, 2010, 2014
• MLS 100 goals club
• MLS 50/50 Club
• MLS Golden Boot: 2008
• MLS Silver Boot: 2010
• MLS Goal of the Year: 2009
• National Soccer Hall of Fame: 2023

See also

In Spanish: Landon Donovan para niños

• 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
• Landon Donovan MVP Award