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A few weeks back Landon Donovan returned to the LA Galaxy to close out the 2016 season. The media were stunned. While the reaction should have been primarily excitement and respect, many in the fan community appear as cynical as ever.
After two season out of the game, Donovan decided to rejoin the Galaxy after they suffered a number of injuries and needed depth to close the year out. Once people realized it was not an off-calendar April Fools Day joke, the skepticism began.
They said he was too old to play again. He wouldn’t be able to contribute. Would be a distraction to the team. As he has done for years, he simply went out and reminded everyone why he is who he is.
Landon got his first action in a blowout of Orlando, subbing in once the game was decided, and was noticeably behind the pace of the game. His brief appearance only fueled the flames of how bad of a decision this was. Coming on to the Sporting KC match, opposing fans chanted "AARP" at Donovan over and over. Within 90 seconds he had scored the game-winner.
This situation reflects his playing career perfectly. No matter how much success he had for the Galaxy or the US, there always seemed to be a core group of people who looked down on Donovan. Just as a reminder let’s review the stats:
Landon Donovan Major Statistics
-Six-Time MLS Cup Winner
-Two-Time Supporters Shield Winner
-2005 US Open Cup Champion
-Four-Time CONCACAF Gold Cup Winner
-MLS All-Time Leading Goal Scorer
-MLS All-Time Leading Assists
-USMNT All-Time Leading Goal Scorer
-USMNT All-Time Leading Assists
The article could easily just end there. Look at those stats. No one in US Soccer history comes anywhere near Landon on those credentials. Some can claim a close rival on one or two lines, but fall quickly when expanding to that list, which is just a sample.
The issue is not in Donovan, but the small group of cynical American soccer fans. Instead of seeing accomplishments and enjoying the career of a legend, they consistently (and sadly) look for the negatives. Typically this is not exclusive to Donovan, but also the MLS.
Other nations recognize how to celebrate national figures. Look at Portugal and Ronaldo, Zlatan and Sweden, or even Rafa Marquez and Mexico. Do you think Sweden would pick apart Zlatan for being successful and playing in their national league? Do you think if Ronaldo retired and returned Portuguese fans would start with doubt?
Ultimately, those initial reactions and that small group of fans won’t matter. Donovan could score the winning goal in the MLS Cup this year and they would still suffer from head-in-the-sand syndrome. Landon Donovan, the greatest player in US Soccer history, has returned, and, if only for a few months, I’ll just sit back and enjoy.
