Landon Donovan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Landon Donovan

Donovan in 2024
Personal information
Full name	Landon Timothy Donovan
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)
Position(s)	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)
International career
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)
Managerial career
2020–2022	San Diego Loyal
2024	San Diego Wave (interim)
Medal record 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
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Landon Timothy Donovan (born March 4, 1982) is a retired American professional soccer player and coach. Many people think he is the greatest American men's soccer player of all time. He is tied with Clint Dempsey for the most goals ever scored for the U.S. men's national team, with 57 goals.

Donovan also holds the record for the most assists (passes that lead to a goal) for the U.S. team, with 58. He won a record six MLS Cup championships and is the all-time leader in assists in Major League Soccer (MLS) with 136. To honor his amazing career, the MLS Most Valuable Player award was renamed the Landon Donovan MVP Award.

Early Life and Soccer Beginnings

Landon Donovan was born in Ontario, California. He has a twin sister named Tristan. His mother was a teacher and his father was a semi-professional ice hockey player.

Donovan started playing soccer when he was very young. At age six, he joined a league and scored seven goals in his first game. He was very talented and joined the U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program in 1997. In 1999, he attended the famous IMG Academy in Florida, which helps develop young soccer players for the U.S. national teams.

Club Career

A player's club career is the time they spend playing for professional teams, not their national team.

Starting in Germany and America

Donovan with the San Jose Earthquakes after winning the 2003 MLS Cup.

In 1999, when he was just 17, Donovan signed a contract with Bayer Leverkusen, a top team in Germany. He found it hard to adjust to living in a new country. Because of this, he was loaned to the San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer (MLS) for the 2001 season.

In the MLS, Donovan became a star right away. He helped the Earthquakes win the MLS Cup championship in 2001 and 2003. He became one of the most famous soccer players in the United States. In 2005, he decided to return to the U.S. permanently.

LA Galaxy

Donovan taking a corner kick for the LA Galaxy.

In 2005, Donovan joined the LA Galaxy, his hometown team. In his first season, he helped them win the MLS Cup. This was his third championship. He became a key player for the team for many years.

In 2007, the famous English player David Beckham joined the team. Donovan and Beckham became a strong offensive duo. In 2009, Donovan had a great season, winning the MLS Most Valuable Player award.

From 2009 to 2014, Donovan led the LA Galaxy to more success. They won the MLS Cup again in 2011 and 2012. In 2014, he became the all-time leading goalscorer in MLS history. He retired after winning his sixth MLS Cup in 2014.

Playing in Europe on Loan

During the MLS off-seasons, Donovan played for European clubs on loan. In 2009, he played for Bayern Munich in Germany.

He also had two successful loan periods with Everton in England's Premier League in 2010 and 2012. He played so well that he was named the club's Player of the Month in January 2010.

Brief Comebacks

Donovan came out of retirement twice. In 2016, he returned to the LA Galaxy for a short time to help the team after some players were injured.

In 2018, he signed with León in Mexico. A year later, he played for the San Diego Sockers in the Major Arena Soccer League.

International Career

Donovan had an amazing career playing for the United States men's national team.

World Cup Star

Donovan during practice in 2006.

Donovan played in three World Cups. At the 2002 FIFA World Cup, he helped the U.S. team reach the quarter-finals. He scored two goals and was named the Best Young Player of the tournament.

At the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he scored three goals. One of his most famous goals was a last-minute winner against Algeria that sent the U.S. to the next round. This goal made him the highest-scoring American man in World Cup history.

Records and Achievements

• He is tied for the most goals for the U.S. men's team (57).
• He holds the record for the most assists for the U.S. team (58).
• He is the only American player with over 50 goals and 50 assists.
• He won the CONCACAF Gold Cup four times with the U.S. team.
• He was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year four times.

In 2014, the U.S. coach, Jürgen Klinsmann, made a surprising decision to leave Donovan off the World Cup team. Donovan played his final game for the United States on October 10, 2014, in a friendly match.

Style of Play

Donovan was a very versatile player, meaning he could play well in different positions. He was known for his speed, intelligence, and skill with the ball. He could play as a forward, who scores goals, or as a midfielder, who creates chances for others. He was also excellent at taking penalty kicks and other set pieces like free kicks and corner kicks.

After His Playing Career

After retiring, Donovan became a coach and a sports broadcaster. He was the first manager for the San Diego Loyal soccer club. He also worked as an analyst for TV networks like ESPN and FOX Sports, talking about soccer games.

Donovan has also been involved in the ownership of soccer clubs. He is a part-owner of the Welsh club Swansea City and helped start the San Diego Loyal.

Personal Life

Donovan married Hannah Bartell in 2015, and they have a son named Talon. He has spoken about the importance of mental health in sports. He lives in California and can speak Spanish and German. Because of his time playing for Everton, he has said he is an "Evertonian for life."

Career Statistics

Club

International

Honors

San Jose Earthquakes

• MLS Cup: 2001, 2003

LA Galaxy

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

United States

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

Individual

• U.S. Soccer Young Athlete of the Year: 2000
• U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year: 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010
• 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
• CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2013
• CONCACAF Gold Cup MVP: 2013
• CONCACAF Gold Cup top scorer: 2003, 2005, 2013
• MLS All-Time Best XI: Midfielder
• Major League Soccer MVP: 2009
• MLS Best XI: 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014
• MLS Cup MVP: 2003, 2011
• MLS All-Star Game MVP: 2001, 2014
• MLS Golden Boot: 2008
• National Soccer Hall of Fame: 2023

Images for kids

• 

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

• 

  Donovan before his Everton debut against Arsenal.

See also

In Spanish: Landon Donovan para niños