CARSON, Calif. – Landon Donovan surpassed Jeff Cunningham for the career regular season goal record, but now the LA Galaxy midfielder has another record in his sights.
With his two assists during the Galaxy’s 3-0 victory over Chivas USA, Donovan sits just six behind New England Revolution legend Steve Ralston’s all-time regular season assist mark of 135. During the Galaxy’s four-game winning streak, Donovan has hit his stride, tallying three goals and five assists.
Although Donovan notched just his eighth ever multi-assist game in the match against the Rojiblancos, the 32-year-old was less than interested about rhapsodizing about chasing another record.
“I’m just trying to win games,” said Donovan matter-of-factly. “If we get there, we get there.”
While Donovan himself is quick to play down the mark, his teammates admit that they’re looking to help the Galaxy forward accrue all the records that can in his nine remaining matches.
“I would love to give him that record. He’s a phenomenal player,” said Gyasi Zardes after the victory. “We’re talking about Landon Donovan here; he helped set me up for two goals. So I would love to help him break that record. I hope he keeps breaking as many records as he can before he departs.”
Throughout Donovan’s career, the 32-year-old has been known for delivering a well-timed pass, but what makes the Galaxy’s 2014 edition different is the final product. Whereas earlier in the season, Donovan’s service was squandered, the Galaxy’s finishing touch has improved.
LA currently leads MLS in goals scored with 48 which is just five shy of the 53 goal total that LA tallied during the entire 2013 campaign. During the month of August, the Galaxy notched 19 goals and a 5-1-1 record which has coincided with Donovan’s rise to the top of the league’s assist charts where he sits tied with teammate Robbie Keane with a total of 12 on the year.
“The guys are really confident right now and they are playing well. We are getting contributions from everywhere,” said Donovan. “Gyasi [Zardes] has gone several games without scoring, and he scores couple of goals again [against Chivas]. We were not expecting to have Robbie, but he pulls off that play. Everybody is making plays right now and that helps.”
With nine matches left on the docket and the Galaxy attack in high gear, the retiring Donovan should have every opportunity to put another honor on his resume before he hangs up his boots.
“You want the players that you play with to get as many [records] as they can. So I’m sure with the amount of games, hopefully he can certainly get close to that, if not beat it,” Keane said. “[Recently], that’s what he has been doing. Together we have been creating a lot of chances for each other. So as a team we just have to continue to play the way that we have been playing.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
