CARSON, Calif. – The ceremonies surrounding Landon Donovan’s final regular season game at StubHub Center were a touching experience for the retiring LA Galaxy legend, but head coach Bruce Arena issued a message in the post-game press conference.
It’s time to get back to business.
Before and after the Galaxy’s 2-2 draw with Seattle Sounders FC, Donovan was honored with a variety of tributes that included a pregame concert by Five for Fighting’s John Ondrasik, Donovan’s favorite band Boyz II Men singing the national anthem as well as gifts from the club’s three supporters groups during a brief postgame ceremony.
On the heels of a frustrating result that put Seattle in the driver’s seat for the regular season title, Arena said that it was time for his team to move on and focus on their drive for a record fifth MLS Cup.
“I think we need to start focusing on playing,” said Arena. “We are real pleased that the process is now complete and we are entering the last regular season game and then the playoffs and hopefully we and Landon can focus on that."
Throughout his 90-minute shift in the 2-2 draw, Donovan found himself largely neutralized by a Sounders defense that had conceded three goals in their last meeting with the Galaxy.
Donovan admitted afterward that he understood Arena’s sentiment but believed that the Galaxy head coach was well aware how important the tributes were to the 31-year-old and his family.
“From Bruce's standpoint, his job is to win, and that is why he is here, so I can see why this might be frustrating for a coach to see all this, but Bruce also understands the big picture and he sees how important all of this is for the club and the fans, and for me and my family,” Donovan told reporters after the draw. “It is frustrating in the moment but I know when he has some time to think about it, he will understand how nice it was that we could do this. It is incumbent upon me now to get back to the soccer part.
“I have made that clear to everyone, that I am going to appreciate this and enjoy this, but that now it is time to get back to soccer,” he added. “I am able to compartmentalize, so I am frustrated professionally because of the result but I wouldn't let that take away from all the amazing things that happened tonight. I will put them both in their respective places and move forward accordingly."
As moving as the celebrations of Donovan’s career were and have been since he announced his intention to retire at the end of the 2014 campaign, even the Galaxy star acknowledged that it’s time to get to work.
"I think it has been a long two weeks for me and I was excited and energetic the first part of the game, but I think I wore out as the game went on. I need to now, really, step back and focus,” said Donovan. This has all been incredible for me, I wouldn't have it any other way, but I want to finish the season right so it is time to step back now… we will get back to business."
LA will need to be focused and ready heading into Saturday’s “return leg” at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field. On the road at one of the league’s most intimidating environments, the Galaxy will receive no quarter from a Sounders side that can clinch the Supporters’ Shield for the first time in their history with a win or a draw.
But armed with a 4-3-2 record in all MLS competitions in Seattle, the Galaxy believe that they can get the victory needed to not only win the Supporters’ Shield but also head into the postseason with full momentum.
“In the end we realized that a point [on Sunday] still keeps us alive so as frustrating as it is we are still alive for the Supporters Shield and now we have a tough task,” said Donovan. “But one we have already done this year and we have to try and replicate and win in Seattle next week. It is not the end of the world; we will move on and get ready for next week."
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
