KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Landon Donovan showed on Sunday that he hasn’t missed a step despite nearly two years of retirement.
The LA Galaxy legend came through in the clutch, scoring the equalizer to help the Galaxy earn a 2-2 draw with Sporting Kansas City. Donovan’s goal was his first since ending his 18-month retirement a week ago, and incidentally, came on the 34-year-old’s first shot of his second stint with the Galaxy.
Not only did Donovan score the equalizer, the 34-year-old silenced chants of “AARP” from the Children’s Mercy Park crowd. Still looking spry despite nearly two years on the shelf, Donovan couldn’t help but chuckle at the attempted jab from the Kansas City crowd.
“Listen, I've got an 8-month-old at home,” Donovan joked. “Diapers are expensive. I wish I was getting the benefits of AARP right now. But I think they probably realized I might have a little time left in me, this old guy.”
Donovan wasted no time making an impact as in the 76th minute, he dished an outlet pass to Robbie Rogers, before streaking up the field and comfortably delivering a left-footed shot past Sporting Kansas City’s Tim Melia.
The 34-year-old’s impact wasn’t purely felt on the score sheet, however, as the veteran forward made a number of defensive plays in the dying moments to help the Galaxy see out the match.
“That was pretty good,” Galaxy boss Bruce Arena said afterward. “Landon’s experience was beneficial at the end of the game. We went from 10 [minutes] to 20 this week, and we’ll try to go from 20 to 30. We’re going to keep building, but you see his progression and his ability to allow us to keep the ball when weren’t able to do for 80 minutes.”
Although it would have been understandable if the Galaxy legend felt a little pleased with himself after scoring such an important goal after his layoff, Donovan admitted that the goal had special significance because of what it meant to the team.
“Ten years ago, I would have been really excited for me,” Donovan said. “I told you guys and my family when I came back, 'I want to help this team.' And I felt like last week, I was useless on the field, and I don't like that feeling. And this was a game that needed a play.
“I talked to Bruce weeks ago, and he said, 'We need you to come in and make a few plays that count. So I was happy, after the effort that they all put in, that I was able to help them get something out of it.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atLAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
