CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy didn’t get the win on Landon Donovan’s final regular season game at StubHub Center, but the club legend was honored from start to finish by the 27,244 in attendance for LA’s 2-2 draw with Seattle Sounders FC.
Before the match, Donovan’s close personal friend John Ondrasik of the band “Five for Fighting” serenated the soccer legend with a surprise tribute at midfield. Minutes later, Donovan’s favorite band R&B legends Boyz II Men performed the national anthem which brought the Galaxy midfielder to tears.
Then it was the fans turn as the Angel City Brigade and LA Riot Squad honored him with tifos before the entire crowd got into the act by chanting the name of the MLS all-time leading scorer at the 10th minute. Once the final whistle blew, the two Supporters’ Groups and the Galaxians had a chance to present Donovan with gifts before the Galaxy star made a bold guarantee stating that the Galaxy "were still going to win the MLS Cup" despite the draw.
"The atmosphere was incredible," said Donovan afterward. "It's just, I keep using the word overwhelming because I think I need to go to college and learn some synonyms but I can't figure out a better word. It is incredible, it really is. I am so appreciative of all of it, I certainly dated myself with some of the artists who came out to perform but it was enjoyable for me and really a memory that will definitely last a lifetime."
And it all happened with Donovan being completely in the dark.
"I was not aware that Boyz II Men was there,” he said. “I didn't know that John Ondrasik from Five For Fighting who has become a really good friend and mentor to me, was going to do that pre-game so those were incredible.”
