Landon Donovan Bio Send To Friend  

Donovan has evolved into one of the faces of the U.S. team. Of course, "LD" can play, too.

Donovan, a star for the L.A. Galaxy, has already played in the 2002 and '06 World Cups. In 2008, he twice re-opened the U.S. record books, setting the scoring record, and becoming the youngest player in history to reach 100 caps.

He starred on the U.S. U-17 national team, leading the team to a fourth-place finish at the 1999 World Championships in New Zealand. He received the Golden Ball as tournament MVP and would sign with Germany's Bayer Leverkusen, becoming the youngest American to sign with a foreign club.

But Donovan, unhappy with life with Leverkusen, was loaned to the San Jose Earthquakes in 2001. He led the Earthquakes to MLS championships in 2001 and '03 and scored 32 goals and 29 assists in MLS play, adding another 10 goals and six assists in the playoffs. Indeed, Donovan had become a U.S. soccer star, and was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year in 2003.

Now Leverkusen wanted a piece of the budding star. The Bundesliga club announced that Donovan was Deutschland-bound in the summer of '04. After seven games back in Germany, including just two starts, Donovan told the club he planned to return to MLS. English side Portsmouth made a run at the striker, but Leverkusen agreed to ship Donovan back to the States.

However, San Jose general manager Alexi Lalas had traded Donovan's rights to his hometown club, the L.A. Galaxy. Donovan scored 12 goals and 10 assists in '05 to lead the Galaxy to the MLS Cup title. He scored 12 more in '07 and lit up the league for 20 a year later, earning the MLS Golden Boot. Donovan had a brief stint on loan with Bayern Munich, but the club declined to extend it. Donovan had four goals in five friendlies, but didn't hit the net in league play.

He returned to Europe for another stint in January 2009, joining EPL side Everton on loan. He started superbly, suggesting the English game may suit him.

As far as Donovan's career with the U.S. national team, well, where do we start? He made his debut Oct. 25, 2000, against Mexico and - fittingly - scored. He tallied two goals in the '02 World Cup, including the insurance goal in the 2-0 win against Mexico in the Round of 16. Donovan finished 2008 with five assists, a team-high, while earning a nomination as the 2008 U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year.

Donovan earned his 100th cap against Argentina in June, becoming the fastest American to accomplish that feat and the fourth-fastest player in history to reach the century mark for his country. His highlights in '09 include converting a penalty kick in a 2-1 win against Honduras, a stoppage-time penalty kick at Costa Rica and assisting all three of Jozy Altidore's goals in a 3-0 qualifying win against Trinidad & Tobago.

Now the question remains: What can Donovan pull off in South Africa?

Strengths: His pace, ability to put the ball in the back of the net and tenacity on the pitch.

Weaknesses: Perhaps playing on German soil.

Career high: Three MLS championships (two with San Jose and one with L.A.).

Career low: Failure to establish himself in three different stints in the German Bundesliga.

Style: A two-footed player who is always on the go, setting up teammates or beating the keeper himself.

Quote: "The reality is, when you're somewhat successful at what you do, there's always a group of people who aren't going to like you. I like to think I live my life the right way, and that's what's important. But I understand that people are passionate about soccer, and that's OK." -- July 2009

Trivia: Maybe Donovan should try a somersault or cartwheel after a goal. He was a gymnast at Redlands East Valley (Calif.) High School.

Soccernet says: Donovan is the key to success or failure for the U.S. in South Africa.