CARSON, Calif. – There will be no fourth World Cup for U.S. Soccer’s leading goal scorer Landon Donovan.
Donovan, 32, was not named to U.S. National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s 23-man roster for the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup. However, the forward will have an opportunity to join his Galaxy teammate after being named as a stand-by list. The announcement will deny Donovan, who currently leads U.S. Soccer in goals scored (57), assists (58), the chance at adding to his tally of five World Cup goals.
But before we wonder what is next for Donovan, let’s look back at some of Donovan’s greatest accomplishments as the face of U.S. Soccer.
FIVE GOALS IN THE FIFA WORLD CUP
There’s no secret that Landon Donovan has always shined brightest on the biggest stages.
In the World Cup, the striker from Redlands, California has starred by tallying five goals which is more than international superstars Cristiano Ronaldo, Robin van Persie and Lionel Messi combined. The goals all came in the most important moments as Donovan tallied goals in World Cup goals against Poland and Portugal in the 2002 FIFA World Cup as well as three goals in the 2010 FIFA World Cup against Slovenia, Algeria and Portugal.
ICONIC MOMENT: ALGERIA
But who can forget his epic last minute stoppage time goal against Algeria, a goal that remains a true watershed moment for American soccer and the American public as a whole.
The goal came with the U.S. teetering on the brink of elimination as the U.S. heaved numbers forward in hopes of breaking the scoreless deadlock. The moment appeared to come slowly for Donovan who was able to smash home a deflection in the penalty area to send the Americans through to the knockout stages for the first time since 2002.
Who could forget where they were when that moment came? As national attention swirled around Donovan, MLS and U.S. Soccer. Some even going as far to say that the event could have been the biggest moment in the history of American soccer.
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Now what's next for Donovan?
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