CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy’s Robbie Rogers can identify with what Landon Donovan is experiencing after his new/old teammate decided to come out of retirement and rejoin his former club this week.
Rogers, you may recall, ended his own retirement in May of 2013 to join the five-time MLS Cup champions and become the first openly gay athlete to compete in a major professional sport.
“Very different situation,” Rogers joked to reporters after Friday’s workout, Donovan’s first since his stunning announcement that he was going to play again. “I was joking with him coming back and following in my footsteps.”
The decision by the 34-year-old Donovan, who retired following the 2014 season, to strap on the boots again caught his teammate by surprise, to say the least.
“I was in a little bit of disbelief,” said the 29-year-old Rogers, one of Donovan’s closest friends on the team. “When I thought about it, if anyone can do it Landon can.
“He’s such a freak athlete … always so fit and so explosive. I think for everyone, if he’s happy doing it that’s all that matters. Regardless of what happens and regardless of his performance, if he enjoys himself that’s all that matters.”
Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe said “it will be exciting to see” when Donovan, who will be eligible to get playing time Sunday against Orlando City, does return to the field.
“I think he still has some good touches left in him,” Rowe said.
Donovan probably needed some help finding his way when he arrived at StubHub Center for practice Friday. His old locker, for example, was occupied by Steven Gerrard. His old number, 10, was taken by Giovani Dos Santos. Donovan will wear No. 26.
“We had to show him around again,” Rowe said with a grin.
Chris Klein, who retired in 2010 after 13 MLS seasons and became president of the Galaxy in January of 2013, said it was worth the risk to bring Donovan back on the team.
“It’s a 34-year-old guy, he wanted to play again and we have a need,” he said about a rash of injuries that have hit the Galaxy lately. Gyasi Zardes, for example, is out for the rest of the regular season with a broken foot, center back Jelle Van Damme is out with a sprained knee ligament, Gerrard is nursing a sore hamstring and striker Robbie Keane has a strained groin.
“Everyone knows what he has done and what he can do. He wouldn’t do this if he doesn’t truly believe he could contribute in a meaningful way. And we wouldn’t do this if we didn’t believe he could contribute in a meaningful way.
“We’re going to take a chance.”
The youthful-looking Klein, who turned 40 in January, said there was no way he would play again.
“Those days are long gone,” he said with a laugh.
