Landon Donovan’s sendoff from the U.S. men’s national team on Friday started well, but ended with a bit of disappointment when Ecuador tied the game at one in the final minutes.
Donovan, the U.S. leader in goals (57), assists (58), points (172) and minutes (12,853), provided a few highlights in his 41 minutes of action.
He put a header on goal early and then had a shot bounce off the inside of the post and out, denying the 36,265 fans in East Hartford, Conn. an opportunity to truly erupt.
“It was beyond my wildest dreams, for sure,” Donovan was quoted by Goal.com as saying after the match. “As a human being, to feel that kind of love and support is incredible. I’ve put a lot into this game over many years and tonight feels like it was all worth it, so I’m very grateful and the best for me was watching the video and actually letting myself go a little bit.
“There’s just a lot, a lot of moments and memories. My life has been shaped through this sport and I’m so blessed because I’ve been able to grow and learn with all the experiences this sport has given me and that’s pretty cool.”
Donovan’s teammates did everything they could to send him out with a goal. Jozy Altidore passed up one shooting chance and instead slotted the ball to Donovan, which led to the shot off the post.
“I was watching Jeter a few weeks back. I thought that would be a perfect way to score a goal, but unfortunately it didn’t happen tonight,” Donovan told ESPN at halftime.
Still, after being left off the World Cup squad that went to Brazil, this was a night that Donovan deserved. It’s a shame he couldn’t play the whole game, but his club team, the Galaxy, also need him.
Who is next? So who will be the next Donovan and become the player to carry the U.S. flag into future World Cups in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022?
There are two obvious candidates, one who plays in MLS (for now) and one who plays in Germany: 21-year-old DeAndre Yedlin and 19-year-old Julian Green.
Fans on Friday saw why Tottenham purchased Yedlin from Seattle earlier this year: playing as a wingback instead of a fullback, Yedlin’s speed and quickness caused Ecuador numerous problems throughout the night. He has the tools needed to succeed in Europe: speed, technical ability and, most importantly, confidence. Just like in the World Cup, Yedlin doesn’t seem to get lost in moments. Yedlin was scheduled to join Spurs next summer, but he may go over in January.
It would be great for MLS and the continued development of soccer in the U.S. to have someone playing domestically become the face of the game, which is what Donovan did. But playing and succeeding in England is a springboard to global awareness. Yedlin could follow the path blazed by John Harkes, Claudio Reyna, Brad Freidel, Brian McBride, Kasey Keller, Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Clint Dempsey and Geoff Cameron, among others.
Fans on Friday didn’t get to see Green, who was a scratch because of a rib injury. Like Yedlin, Green has the speed and technical ability, but needs more seasoning and strength to become a bigger player. But if he can crack the lineup at mega-team Bayern Munich and become a regular contributor, he could become a star.
What's next: The U.S. will play Honduras in Boca Raton, Fla. Atlanta native and Chicago Fire keeper Sean Johnson was called up by Jurgen Klinsmann for the game. It's doubtful he will play because Nick Rimando is supposed to go the entire game.
Johnson, 25, has been capped four times. He has six shutouts for the Fire this season.
Great video: ESPN compiled all of Donovan's goal for the U.S. men's national team.
MLS playoffs: Most of the field for the MLS playoffs is set.
In the West, the Galaxy, Seattle, Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas are in. Fighting for the final spot are Vancouver and Portland
In the East, D.C. United, New England, New York and Sporting KC are in. Fighting for the final spot are Columbus and Toronto. There are two games left and it would take a miracle for Toronto to make the field because they are six points behind Columbus, which only need to tie one of their final two games to secure the berth.
MLS and Atlanta
How MLS players with ties to the metro Atlanta area did this week:
Joe Bendik (@jtbendik), Toronto, GK, Kennesaw
Played 90 minutes and made five saves in team’s 1-0 loss to Houston on Wednesday.
Played 90 minutes and made two saves in team’s 3-1 loss to New York on Saturday
Next game: Will host Montreal on Saturday.
Mark Bloom (@markbloom21), Toronto, D, Marietta
Played 90 minutes and had two shots in team’s 1-0 loss to Houston on Wednesday.
Made the 18 but didn’t play in team’s 3-1 loss to New York on Saturday.
Next game: Will host Montreal on Saturday.
Alex Caskey, D.C. United, M, Dunwoody
Did not make the 18 for team’s 3-1 win over Houston on Sunday.
Next game: Will host Chicago on Saturday.
Ricardo Clark (@RicoC13), Houston, M, Jonesboro
Played 90 minutes and had one shot in team’s 1-0 win over Toronto on Wednesday.
Played 90 minutes and had four shots in team’s 3-1 loss to D.C. United on Sunday.
Next game: Will host New England on Thursday.
Warren Creavalle (@warrenspeak), Toronto, D, Acworth
Made the 18 but didn’t play in team’s 1-0 loss to Houston on Wednesday.
Started and played 83 minutes in team’s 3-1 loss to New York on Saturday.
Next game: Will host Montreal on Saturday.
Sean Johnson (@sjohn25), Chicago, GK, Snellville
Played 90 minutes and made two saves in team’s 2-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City on Friday.
Next game: At D.C. United on Saturday.
Alec Kann (@akann90), Chicago, GK, Decatur
Did not make the 18 for team’s 2-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City on Friday.
Next game: At D.C. United on Saturday.
Steven Kinney (@stevenhkinney), Chicago, D, Norcross
Did not make the 18 for team’s 2-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City on Friday.
Next game: At D.C. United on Saturday.
Chris Klute (@chrisklute), Colorado, D, Silverbacks, Clayton State
Didn’t make the 18 for team’s 2-1 loss to Chivas USA on Sunday.
Next game: Will host FC Dallas on Saturday.
Jack McInerney (@jackmcinerney9), Montreal, F, Alpharetta
Came off the bench to play 18 minutes with one shot in team’s 2-2 draw with New England on Saturday.
Next game: At Toronto FC on Saturday.
Joe Nasco (@joenascogk18), Colorado, G, Silverbacks
Made the 18 but didn’t play in team’s 2-1 loss to Chivas USA on Sunday.
Next game: Will host FC Dallas on Saturday.
Michael Nwiloh (mnwiloh6), Chivas USA, D, Conyers
Didn’t make the 18 for team’s 2-1 win over Colorado on Sunday.
Next game: Off next week.
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