Landon Donovan’s legendary career will come to a close at the end of the season, but there is still plenty of time to see the greatest player that the United States has ever produced.
Aug. 27 vs. D.C. UNITED at 7:30 p.m. PT (TWCSN/TWCD)
The LA Galaxy will welcome back former players Sean Franklin and Kofi Opare when they play host to Eastern Conference title contender D.C. United on Aug. 27. The match was originally scheduled for earlier in the season and will serve as the game in hand that the Galaxy hold on the rest of the Western Conference, making three points a necessity. The Wednesday tilt will be Donovan’s final regular season contest with United, a team that he has scored 14 goals and five assists against.
Aug. 31 at CHIVAS USA at 5:00 p.m. PT (TWCSN/Univision Deportes)
The “Last Clasico” will be the final SuperClasico for Landon Donovan and Chivas USA, who are scheduled to be rebranded ahead of the 2015 season. Donovan has ravaged the Rojiblancos in the past with 11 goals and 16 assists in 25 appearances against the cross-hall rivals. Despite Chivas USA’s recent downturn in form, expect their last home match against the Galaxy to be an energetic and exciting one.
Sept. 5 vs. COLORADO RAPIDS at 7:30 p.m. PT (NBC Sports Network)
Donovan and the Galaxy will face the Colorado Rapids for the final time in 2014 as ex-Galaxy midfielder Pablo Mastroeni looks to lead his Rapids team past his former club. A former teammate of Donovan with the Galaxy and the U.S. National Team, Mastroeni played at two World Cups (2002 and 2006) with the LA legend. Defeating Colorado will be no easy task, however, as the Rapids won their last meeting with the Galaxy at StubHub Center back in September of 2013.
Sept. 10 at MONTREAL IMPACT at 4:30 p.m. PT (TWCSN/TWCD)
The LA Galaxy’s endurance will be tested when they make the nearly 3,000 mile trek to take on the Montreal Impact. Despite the heavy travel, the Galaxy will be favorites against an Impact team that has slumped to one of the worst records in the Eastern Conference this season. In a season of final moments, Landon Donovan and the Galaxy will actually play their first ever game at Montreal’s Stade Saputo after playing at the Olympic Stadium during their first visit to Quebec.
Sept. 14 at SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES at 12:00 p.m. PT (TWCSN/UniMas)
Landon Donovan began his MLS career with the San Jose Earthquakes and he’ll make his final trip to the Bay Area to face his former club on Sept. 14. During his time with both clubs, Donovan has been a catalyst to success as he helped San Jose win two MLS Cups while notching 32 goals in 87 appearances, but Donovan surpassed that output with the Galaxy, scoring 106 goals in 233 appearances en route to three titles. Despite his contribution for the Earthquakes, don’t expect warm reception from the Earthquakes faithful who will be looking to take a final jab at the Galaxy legend.
Sept. 20 vs. FC DALLAS at 7:30 p.m. PT (TWCSN/TWCD)
The LA Galaxy return to StubHub Center after a two-game road swing when they take on Western Conference rivals FC Dallas on Sept. 20 to start a three-game home stand. FCD promises to be a tough opponent for the Galaxy as the Dallas club has shined this season thanks to the play of dynamic attackers like Fabian Castillo, Michel and Blas Perez. Leading the charge for the Galaxy will be Landon Donovan, who has demolished FC Dallas throughout his career with an impressive 20 goals and 12 assists since coming into MLS in 2001.
Sept. 28 vs. NEW YORK RED BULLS at 5:30 p.m. PT (ESPN2)
Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill, Bradley Wright-Phillips and the New York Red Bulls travel to StubHub Center to take on the Galaxy in a battle that promises to be loaded with star power. Donovan will get a chance to say farewell to his former Everton teammate Tim Cahill, who played with the Galaxy star during both of his stints with the Toffees. The most scintillating matchup doesn’t involve Donovan, however, as Omar Gonzalez will have his hands full trying to shut down the twin attacking tandem of Henry and Wright-Phillips.
Oct. 4 vs. TORONTO FC at 7:30 p.m. PT (TWCSN/TWCD)
The LA Galaxy host the retooled Toronto FC on Oct. 4 to kick off the final month of the MLS regular season. LA’s clash with TFC won’t simply reunite U.S. teammates Omar Gonzalez and Landon Donovan with Toronto’s Michael Bradley, but also serve as Robbie Keane’s first match against former Tottenham Hotspur teammate Jermain Defoe. For all the USMNT and EPL connections, keep an eye on the battle between Bradley and the Galaxy midfield tandem of Juninho and Marcelo Sarvas.
Oct. 12 at FC DALLAS at 4:00 p.m. PT (ESPN2)
The LA Galaxy and Landon Donovan hit the road for the penultimate time in the 2014 MLS regular season when they travel to the Lone Star State to take on FC Dallas. Donovan has shined at Toyota Stadium since the ground opened with six goals and two assists in nine games in Frisco. LA’s visit should have plenty of postseason implications as both teams hold MLS Supporters’ Shield aspirations.
Oct. 19 vs. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC at 5:30 p.m. PT (ESPN)
Landon Donovan will play his final regular season match at StubHub Center when the Galaxy take on Clint Dempsey, DeAndre Yedlin and Seattle Sounders FC on Oct. 19. Expect plenty of tributes and pageantry –and maybe even a few Tears—as the Galaxy salute Donovan on the field where he won two MLS Cups for the club. For all the ceremony, however, Galaxy fans will hope that they’ll be able to give Donovan a proper send off at StubHub Center in the postseason several weeks later.
Oct. 25 at SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC at 11:30 a.m. PT (NBC)
A capacity crowd at Seattle Sounders FC’s CenturyLink Field and a national television audience will bid farewell to Landon Donovan in his final MLS regular season game. Emotions will be running high when the two rivals clash, but Donovan has shown an ability to rise above the Seattle noise with two goals and five assists all-time at CenturyLink. Aside from the Donovan plotline, expect there to be massive postseason implications as both teams are likely to be contenders for playoff places and, possibly, the Supporters’ Shield.
