The kid is all grown up now, and isn't a kid anymore.
We don't generally announce players birthdays on SBI, but with Landon Donovan turning 29 today it felt like a good time to acknowledge the U.S. national team star and to realize just how time has flown by (12 years to be exact) since he won the Golden Ball at the 1999 Under-17 World Cup.
All he's done i the dozen years since is fashion the most successful national team career in team history, while also picking up a few MLS Cups (three to be exact) along the way.
The past year has been a whirlwind for the United States career leader in goals and assists. He enjoyed a stellar showing at the World Cup, and a year ago at this time he was finishing up a dream loan stint with Everton before helping lead the Los Angeles Galaxy to the Supporters Shield.
No, 29 isn't old, but it's a number that reminds us that Donovan's not young anymore, and that we should appreciate these remaining years for arguably the best player in U.S. Soccer history.
There are some obvious choices (like his goal vs. Algeria), but I'll still ask the question. Which Donovan memories stand out the most in your mind? Think he can maintain his high level for another World Cup cycle? Does Donovan turning 29 make you feel old (it's okay to admit it).
Share your thoughts below.
I feel the same way. Watching Donovan in 2002 I was amazed that someone the same age as me was tearing it up at the World Cup.
ditto
Yeah, it wasn’t even a shot, just a cross that deflected wildly off a Portugese defender and wrong-footed their keeper. It is his funniest goal. He just held his hands up in the air like “Do you believe that?”
Also, Donovan will go down in international history as one of the all-time top goal scorers in the World Cup. His 5 goals puts him in the same company as Michel Platini, Zidane, Beckenbaurer, and Raul (all with 5). Not bad company.
ditto.
His Algeria goal is burned into my brain as the most passionate I have ever been during a soccer game.
However, my best memory of Donovan is his performance against Germany in the 2002 World Cup. He burnt their defense so many times and it was his official coming out party. That game jump-started his career as a US standout and the game against Algeria cemented his place in US soccer history.
Being the same age as Landon, I have grown up with him. When he retires, I will officially feel old. Until then, I can enjoy my youth.
3 absolute money passes by Clark, Donovan and Davies.
The first thing I thought of when seeing that LD is 29 is an article Bill Simmons wrote for ESPN about two weeks ago talking about the lengthened careers of superstars now compared with just a couple decades ago. It used to be thought that 30 was the last gasp in pro sports but now we’ve got guy’s performing at top notch physical rates into their late thirties.
I think LD can be a major force until he’s at least 35, given that he seems to have a good work rate and has remained relatively injury free. Of course that’s me being greedy…everything after the Mexico goal in 2002 has just been a bonus because he could have retired a hero then.
The Algeria moment is hard to top, but when I was watching the USA-Slovenia game at a bar in Seattle, his goal to get the USA back into the game — the one in which he nearly took off the keeper’s head — set the place off. Once he scored that goal, I knew we weren’t going to lose that game.
To me, that goal typified how good Donovan can be when he’s on his game. When he plays with a chip on his shoulder and gets angry, he’s our most dangerous player.
The problem is, I don’t think playing with the Galaxy brings that out in him enough. I want him playing at Everton.
What about LD’s left footed one volley against NE in ’09? This wasn’t a goal in a critical match, but it was an impressive one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaDap-tUwGg
Punk. Over two decades for me.
I remember that one too that one sticks out for me. Though I always thought he was kinda looking back and waving on as a little bit of a taunt to say try and catch him…idk
Algeria!!! What a moment for us. Also his performance against Germany in 02. Never stopped running.
I was the most excited with his goals to beat Mexico in 2004. He was clearly the best player on the field for both teams and gave us a handsome 2-0 win.
Thanks for the link. The game I remember most was the US v. Mexico in the 2002 WC, hearing the crowd in the last few minutes singing Sha Na Na, Sha Na Na, Hey Hey, Good-bye!
I was just thinking the same thing. That goal really showed his skill and class.
good call about the nickname dying right then and there. i remember thinking wow this is a new LD. trying to take the keeper’s head off, that was hardcore.
You just reminded me that I turn 29 this year. So I’m still in my prime like LD!!!!!
Although I only have intramurals to look forward too LD has the world cup is all
Most awesome overall for me was the counter vs. brazil. The most meaningful was easily against Algeria. For pure ice cold killer attitude…the award goes to the upper deck Slovenia goal. I wish more US players had that kind of ruthless goal scoring attitude. Straight Nasty Donovan, you should have apologized to the keeper after the game. Nobody wants to be on the receiving end of that highlight.
Second goal against Mexico in South Korea. Being there made it even more special. But really hard to choose just one. What I love about the link above that shows all of his National Team goals in order, is all the player who are playing with him, all the guys who have come and gone. You start to realize the enormity of his greatness and longevity.
Best USMNT goal I have ever seen. Played out of the back with speed, precision, and and skill. A text book counter-attack goal. I know I am biased, but I don’t think you could get up the field any quicker or more efficient than that goal. Brazil was stunned.
That is awesome. Thanks for the link. How can you pick just one?
Think that was technically an own goal against Portugal in ’02.
I think this article is a touch melodramatic. You guys are acting like he’s 30 or something. Sheesh!
hehe. Sadly, that wouldn’t work because of my last name- Donovan DeHaven is a bit much, don’t you think?
Surprisingly enough, I loved his blast against Ecuador in the friendly after the 2006 World Cup. Upper 90, 20 yards out and a straight up screamer. It was one of the only times they wore those blue yankee pinstripe jerseys. Look it up, it’s one of the best strikes he’s ever had.
Algeria and Mexico goals are two of the most exciting moments of my life. Right behind my son being born.
Didn’t he have a biggie against Portugal as well.
Well I’m betting his best goal is yet to come. Happy Birthday Landon! You are an American soccer legend
+1
The goal against Algeria was the most emotional but I have to go with his goal a few days earlier against Solvenia.
His team was down 2-0 at the half and he came out on a mission to ignite the side. Just 3 minutes into the half he gets in on goal and blasts the shot at the goalkeepers head, daring him to try and stop it. From that moment on, the calls of Landicakes were dead. The US went on to score 2 more goals (even if one was the Coulibaly special) because he sparked them. Pure power and a great goal.
The next for me was the 2002 second goal against Mexico.
I gotta go with the world cup goal against Mexico. Priceless. Pure class my friend.
Yep.
Though nothing will top the Algeria goal, the moment just AFTER the fast-break goal against Brazil in the Confed Cup still has me cracking up:
him turning to the camera, pointing at his chest and screaming: “MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!” haha. Love it! It wasn’t cocky, just him saying to all his doubters…”yea haters, that was me that just did that.” (and to the dude above thinking about naming his kid Landon, go with Donovan as a first name. I pitched that to my girl after the Algeria game and it went over much better. Can be shortened as Don if your kid is white or Donovan if black. in my case, the kid will be both! haha. perfect! now if only my kid has 1/2 his talent)
For those who are to young to remember, take your pick.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzxk5ws42rg
I played basketball, football and ran track in high school. My HS did not even have a soccer team. I put my son in soccer because it was the first team sport he could play. I thought that would help get him ready for “real” sports. He moved into Travel Ball in Md and I started getting interested in the game. We got DirecTV and I started watching soccer. When I stayed up late to watch that U-17 team playing in the World Cup I knew I was hooked. Thanks for all the great memories Landon.
awww… i feel for you. Having a Mexican-American fiancee, i doubt i could make it fly. Them mexicans hate the LD.
As much as I love his WC performances, I absolutely LOVE it when Landon is at the center of us beating Mexico! And that goal where he split the defenders at half field in 2007, outran the defense, had time to look back and wave on Eddie Johnson, then dribble around the keeper… Vintage Landon. 2-0 US. PRICELESS.
Goal vs Mexico for me was my all time favorite followed closely by Confed Cup counter attack. Showing off the sports bra at the MLS all-star game was a fun memory as well. Wouldn’t mind seeing a east west MLS all-star game with lots of goals to switch it up.
You the man, Lando
I’m probably in the minority, but I liked the fast break with Davies in the Confed Cup against Brazil. It was unexpected.
I might have to agree with this…
I also turn 29 today! Happy birthday to me (and to Landon, of course).
I get to spend my bday weekend watching NYRB and Sporting KC in the MLS Desert Cup here in Tucson. Works out perfectly!
Congrats Landon!
Although the Algeria goal is a close second (and certainly more important to the team), the goal against Brazil in the Confed Cup 2009 is my personal favorite.
Emphatic, close range, upper deck goal against Slovenia in the WC.
Wait. “Arguably” the best player in US soccer history?
Oh, and I tried to convince my pregnant wife that “Landon” was a good first name after the Algeria game. No Dice.
I can see him going beyond 2014 with the Nats. Old super sub and leader!
Landon, you are the man
landon donavan = forever young
2009-2010 has been the best period in his career since the 2002 world cup. he has been so great, i hope he’s able to go out on top with a deep run in the 2014 tournament…
Love the Algerian goal.
Also love his performance in the confederations cup. The guy ran his heart out.
For me it’s a tie between the goal against Algeria and the second goal against Mexico in Korea / japan
I turned 29 over a decade ago….no love from SBI.
(SBI- We didn’t exist then, but maybe my newspaper gave you some love. Haha)