CARSON, Calif. – On Sunday Dec. 7, a “LegenD” began his final act.
The entire career of Landon Donovan had boiled down to one decisive moment: the 2014 MLS Cup Final that pitted the LA Galaxy against the New England Revolution at StubHub Center.
As fans packed into the sold-out stadium, thousands donned Donovan No. 10 jerseys as they bide farewell to their departing legend. And as the supporters cheered his name, Donovan himself soaked in the finality of all it all as if each action was his last.
During the game, Donovan and the Galaxy appeared a bit off as they struggled to find the first goal until Gyasi Zardes put the home side ahead in the 52nd minute but the Revolution’s Chris Tierney quickly netted the equalizer in the 79th to send the game to extra time. With the Galaxy needing a goal, Donovan moved up top alongside Robbie Keane, reforming a partnership that had led two MLS Cup titles in the past.
In the 109th minute, Donovan came close to breaking the deadlock with a free kick attempt from just outside the penalty area, but in the end his shot flew just over the bar. Just two minutes later, the Galaxy found their game-winner as Keane put the ball in the back of the net to give LA their fifth MLS Cup championship and send the stadium into bedlam.
But the largest cheers were saved for Donovan as supporters roared when the retiring Galaxy star lifted his sixth MLS Cup title, making him the winningest player in MLS history.
