Thank you, Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan played his last game for the United States men's national team on Friday, and it was as emotional as expected. In order to get him a standing ovation, he was substituted off in the first half, and he got a really loud, really extended one. Lots of people sobbed.
Donovan was left off the World Cup squad due to a combination of diminished form running up to the tournament and a serious difference of personality with manager Jurgen Klinsmann. But when U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati came up with the idea of giving Donovan a testimonial, Klinsmann didn’t object, and we’re glad he didn’t. This was really cool.
The 32-year-old ends his national team career with 157 appearances, second all-time. His 57 goals are a national team record, and it’s very possible that it’s not touched for a long time. Clint Dempsey has 39, while Jozy Altidore has 23.
