CARSON, Calif. (Thursday, August 4, 2011) – LA Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan was one of 22 players named today to U.S. National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s first ever roster for the upcoming friendly against Mexico on August 10 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Donovan is the only player on the roster who has experience with the new coach, having played for him in 2009 during a loan spell at Bayern Munich. The Galaxy captain will join the squad following Saturday’s game against FC Dallas at The Home Depot Center and will return ahead of the club’s opening game in the CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage on August 16.
Following his participation in this year’s Gold Cup, Donovan now has 146 caps and 46 goals in his 12-year international career. He is the national team’s all-time leading goal scorer and has made the second most appearances in U.S. history, behind U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer and former Galaxy teammate Cobi Jones, who finished his career with 164 caps.
A three-time FIFA World Cup veteran, Donovan is in the middle of another MVP-caliber season for the Galaxy. He is currently tied with New York Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry for the MLS lead in goals with 11 and was named to the 2011 MLS All-Star First XI, his 11th consecutive All-Star game selection.
The match on August 10 will be the 59th all-time meeting between the U.S. and Mexico. Donovan, who made his national team debut against Mexico in 2000, has been a part of 13 of those meetings, scoring five goals against them, including one during the USA’s 2-0 win over Mexico in the 2002 World Cup. The U.S. has an 8-3-2 record against Mexico in the games in which Donovan has played in
Donovan and the Galaxy return to The Home Depot Center this Saturday to take on FC Dallas at 7:30 p.m. For more information about the game and to purchase tickets, please call 877-3Galaxy or visit www.lagalaxy.com/tickets.
