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Donovan Signs with MLS Team
Donovan was loaned to the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer for the 2001 season. He had immediate success and became the most recognizable soccer player in America. In addition, the San Jose Earthquakes gained new fans and sold more merchandise. -
World Cup Debut
Donovan made his World Cup Finals debut in the 2002 World Cup starting in the shock upset of pre-tournament favorites Portugal. This gave Donovan recognition and gained him popularity. -
MLS Championships
In MLS, Donovan had immediate success, leading the Earthquakes to MLS Cup championships in 2001 and 2003. San Jose became even more popular and sales kept rising. -
Donovan signs with Galaxy
In his first season with the LA Galaxy, Donovan scored twelve league goals and ten assists and added four goals and an assist in the playoffs as the Galaxy won the MLS Cup. The Galaxy gained popularity due to the acquisition of Donovan. -
MVP Season
Donovan enjoyed an outstanding 2009 campaign, winning the league's Most Valuable Player and MLS Goal of the Year awards and leading the Galaxy to the MLS Cup, which they lost on penalties. He boosted his reputation and became even more popular in this year. -
Goal vs. Algeria
Donovan scored a memorable goal in the final seconds of the world cup game vs. Algeria to help the U.S. advance. This goal provided attention to the US Mens team and also to Landon Donovan. -
Time Off
In October 2012, Donovan expressed his desire to take a break from his professional soccer career, citing physical and mental exhaustion as the main reasons. This decision impacted his merchandise sales and possibly his spot on the 2014 World Cup team. -
US Leader
On July 5, 2013, Donovan became the first US player to reach the 50 international goal mark, This provided him with recognition and a gain of fans. -
Left off Team
On May 22, 2014, Donovan was left off of the US national team roster by Jürgen Klinsmann for the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil. This once again gave Donovan more recognition. -
Announces Retirement
On August 7, 2014, Donovan announced that he would be retiring at the end of the 2014 Major League Soccer season. This impacted Donovan by him gaining more attention by the media and increasing his stock value.
