Landon Donovan's impact reaches well beyond the playing field

It’s a measure of Landon Donovan, the person, that for all his achievements on the soccer field, I’ll remember his playing career even more for his humanity

Grant Wahl | Aug 7, 2014

Landon Donovan's impact reaches well beyond the playing field /

It’s a measure of Landon Donovan, the person, that for all his achievements on the soccer field, I’ll remember his playing career even more for his humanity than for his exploits between the white lines.

That’s no small thing. Donovan, 32, who announced on Thursday he’ll retire at the end of the 2014 MLS season, will do so as the greatest U.S. men’s national team player in history—the all-time U.S. leader in international goals (57) and assists (58), to say nothing of goosebump-inducing moments in the Red, White and Blue.

The numbers matter, of course, as a way of measuring a player’s impact over the course of a career. Donovan scored five goals in three World Cups. He’s also MLS’s all-time leading goal-scorer, and he has won a record-tying five MLS Cup championships.

But to reduce Donovan’s production to statistics is largely to miss the point. Here is a player, a person, who forged a visceral human connection with U.S. soccer fans both on and off the field—even with those who felt he didn’t tap his full potential—and that bond is infinitely more powerful than cold, clinical numbers.

SCHEDULE: Donovan's remaining regular season matches

Donovan has always had a flair for the dramatic, for the kind of goal that brought fans to their feet involuntarily, with a guttural whoop and the jolt of adrenaline that makes this sport so pure. Which of his strikes was your favorite? Most would say his injury-time rebound against Algeria that saved the U.S. in World Cup 2010 and vaulted soccer to a new level of interest in America.

But there are other options, too. Donovan’s whooshing counterattack goal against Brazil in the 2009 Confederations Cup final might be the finest team goal in U.S. men’s history. His streaking header finish in the World Cup 2002 round of 16 was the final nail in the coffin of archrival Mexico and just one reason he earned the nickname of The Mexecutioner. I was there in the Los Angeles Coliseum on October 25, 2000, when Donovan made his U.S. senior debut and scored against (who else?) Mexico. And it was apt that Donovan would score against Mexico again (dos a cero!) in the game last fall when the U.S. clinched its spot in World Cup 2014.

Life and history don’t always play out in the perfect way, and U.S. coach JurgenKlinsmann dropped Donovan from the 2014 World Cup squad. But that doesn’t take away from what Donovan did achieve for the U.S., nor does it diminish the human connection Donovan built with his fans.

MORE: Donovan lifts MLS All-Stars over Bayern Munich

And it’s that humanity that sticks out even more about Donovan than his outsized soccer talent in my mind. From the day I first interviewed a 16-year-old Donovan in February 1999, he was different from any other athlete I have covered in 18 years as a journalist. Interviews with Donovan always featured a candor about himself that was by turns refreshing, disarming, revealing and not always even in Donovan’s best interests. It was as though Donovan couldn’t bear to hide what was going on in his mind, that if he did that he was somehow lacking in honesty.

That led to some courageous stands: His willingness to say that athletes face mental health challenges just like everyone else as he took a three-month sabbatical from soccer in early 2013. His willingness to say, early in his career, that he needed to be personally happy to play at his best, and that meant staying in MLS. His willingness to say that he almost retired after his brutal performance in World Cup 2006. His willingness to criticize a global superstar like David Beckham for his lack of leadership on the LA Galaxy in 2008—and then to patch things up with Beckham and win two MLS titles together.

These stands weren’t always popular with everyone who follows U.S. soccer, but you had to respect that this was how Donovan really felt. If revealing humanity involves the constant pursuit of excellence while acknowledging that none of us is perfect, then Donovan has been as human as they come in American sports, much less soccer. And for all of those things we should thank him.

GALLERY: Classic photos of Donovan

Landon Donovan Classic Photos

Landon Donovan

A former dare-to-dream-big kid who matured into the most decorated male player to ever don the United States uniform, Landon Donovan will retire at the end of the 2014 MLS season. On the heels of that news, here are some classic photos of Landon Donovan.

Landon Donovan

Donovan and Julio Bracamontes of Mexico battle during the quarterfinals of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand. The U.S. defeated Mexico 3-2.

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Donovan standing in front of the Bayer pharmaceutical plant in Cologne, Germany. He had a brief stint with German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.

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Donovan, right, runs through an agility drill at a practice session in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen.

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Donovan during a quiet moment with Bayer Leverkusen.

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Donovan hits out of a bunker while playing a round of golf in Adelaide, Australia, on an off-day before playing Japan in one of the quarterfinal matches of the Olympics.

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To honor U.S. Women's National Team member Brandi Chastain -- who famously took off her shirt after winning the 1999 World Cup on a penalty kick -- Donovan pulled off his jersey to reveal a sports bra after he scored during the MLS All-Star Game in San Jose.

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Donovan gets off a shot as James Lawrence arrives too late to stop it during a 2002 World Cup qualifier against Jamaica.

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Donovan, then with the San Jose Earthquakes, hoists the MLS Cup trophy after defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Donovan scored the Earthquakes' first goal in the 43rd minute.

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Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley pass the ball in a stretching drill at the Misari Football Center in Seoul, Korea.

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Donovan autographs a USA team jersey for U.S. Army SPC 4 Jesus Medina of Houston during the team's visit to the demilitarized zone in Panmunjom, South Korea. The U.S. soccer squad faced Portugal, South Korea and Poland in the first round of the 2002 FIFA Korea-Japan World Cup.

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Donovan records teammate DaMarcus Beasley during the national team's visit to the demilitarized zone.

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Petit of Portugal holds back Donovan during the second half of the their Group D match played in South Korea. The U.S. won 3-2.

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Donovan celebrates following his 65th-minute goal during second-round playoff action against Mexico in the 2002 World Cup. The U.S. won 2-0.

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A disgusted Donovan reacts after barely missing out on a goal against Germany in a quarterfinal of the 2002 World Cup. The Germans defeated the U.S. 1-0.

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Donovan on the cover of Sports Illustrated as the national team began play in the 2002 World Cup.

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Donovan during the 2002 ESPY Awards with Bianca Kajlich at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. The two were married from 2006-2010.

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Turkish defender Fatih Sonkaya and Donovan vie for the ball during their Confederations Cup match in Saint-Etienne, France.

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Donovan played his fourth and last season with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2004. He made 87 appearances for them and scored 32 goals.

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Donovan poses in Manhattan Beach, Calif., during a photo shoot with SI.

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Donovan in action vs. Mexico during a 2006 World Cup qualifier.

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Donovan runs off the field holding an American flag after the U.S. defeated Mexico to advance to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

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Donovan with teammates Oguchi Onyewu (top, left), Bobby Convey (top, right), and DaMarcus Beasley.

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Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Oguchi Onyewu and Bobby Convey on the cover of Sports Illustrated prior to the 2006 World Cup.

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Ghana's Liliasu Shilla battles with Donovan during a Group E game. The U.S. lost 2-1 to Ghana, lost 3-0 to the Czech Republic and finished in a 1-1 draw with eventual champion Italy.

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A disappointed Donovan after the U.S. was eliminated from the 2006 World Cup after its third game.

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Frankie Hejduk and Donovan parade around the field with the Gold Cup after the U.S. defeated Mexico in the final of the 2007 CONCACAF at sold out Soldier Field in Chicago.

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Donovan receives a kiss from his mother, Donna Kenney-Cash, after winning the Honda Player of the Year Award.

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Donovan clashes with the goalkeeper during a U.S. match with Cuba.

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Donovan heads the ball against Mexico during a 2010 World Cup qualifying match at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The U.S. won, 2-0.

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A Donovan assist on a goal by teammate Jozy Altidore led to this reaction during a 2010 World Cup qualifying match against Trinidad and Tobago at LP Field in Nashville.

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David Beckham and Donovan celebrate the latter's goal against the Houston Dynamo during the 2009 MLS Western Conference Championship game at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The Galaxy won 2-0.

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English Premier League side Everton acquired Donovan on a two-and-a-half-month loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2010.

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Donovan made an appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Show, where the host had fun with a magazine spread in which Donovan was wearing patriotic underwear.

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (far left), New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and Donovan helped launch a new razor with a ceremonial first shave in New York.

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Donovan during an SI For Kids photo shoot.

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Donovan poses during an SI photo shoot.

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Donovan poses with Clint Dempsey (left) and Tim Howard on the cover of Sports Illustrated prior to the start of the 2010 World Cup.

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Donovan shoots and scores past Slovenia's goalkeeper Samir Handanovic and defender Marko Suler during their Group C first-round match at the 2010 World Cup.

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Donovan celebrates with U.S. midfielder Clint Dempsey after scoring during their 2010 FIFA World Cup group stage match vs. Slovenia at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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Donovan jumps over the goalkeeper in the U.S. final group stage game against Algeria at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

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Donovan scores the winning goal in the 91st minute as the U.S. defeats Algeria, 1-0. Needing a win to advance, the goal secured the U.S. as winners of Group C and advanced it to the Round of 16.

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Donovan dives toward the corner flag, where teammates Stuart Holden (left) and Clarence Goodson celebrate after Donovan's stoppage-time goal propelled the United States to the knockout stage of the 2010 World Cup.

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Donovan arrives for the Round of 16 World Cup match against Ghana at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa. The U.S. would go on to lose 2-1 in overtime.

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Donovan and David Letterman take turns trying to kick a ball into the open window of a taxi outside the Ed Sullivan Theater for "The Late Show With David Letterman".

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Donovan throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles.

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Actor Mark Wahlberg shakes hands with Donovan at the 2010 ESPY Awards.

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Danica Patrick and Donovan at the 2010 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles.

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Donovan and Serena Williams attend a Super Bowl Weekend kickoff party in Dallas.

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Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant (far left), Donovan, actor David Henrie, and former NBA player Chris Webber attend the Cartoon Network Hall of Game Awards held at The Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, Calif.

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Lionel Messi of Argentina dribbles between Donovan and Michael Bradley during the first half of a friendly at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

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Donovan greets a line of kids as he leads the L.A. Galaxy onto the field for ceremonies before their game with Chivas USA.

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Donovan jumps into the arms of a teammate after scoring against Mexico in the first half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final in Pasadena, Calif.

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Donovan loosens up during a training session ahead of the MLS Cup.

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Indonesian students listen to Donovan during a soccer clinic in Jakarta. The L.A. Galaxy visited Indonesia as part of their Asia tour.

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Everton Manager David Moyes gives instructions to Donovan during a FA Cup fourth-round match between Everton and Fulham at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England.

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Donovan watches the Los Angeles Kings and the St. Louis Blues in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals during the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

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Donovan and James Riley of Chivas USA vie for the ball in the Chivas 18-yard box during an MLS match won by Chivas, 1-0.

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Scottish midfielder Scott Brown steals the ball away from Donovan during the U.S.' 5-1 victory over Scotland in a friendly at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.

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Referee Silvia Reyes gets between Donovan and Toronto FC's Darren O'Dea after O'Dea tripped Donovan during an MLS match. The LA Galaxy defeated Toronto 4-2.

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Donovan reacts after scoring on a penalty kick in the second half against the Houston Dynamo in the 2012 MLS Cup. The Los Angeles Galaxy won 3-1.

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Donovan kisses the MLS Cup after winning the 2012 title against the Houston Dynamo at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

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Donovan poses for a photo during "Soccer Night In Newtown" at the Newtown Youth Academy Sports & Fitness Center in Connecticut.

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President Barack Obama holds a soccer ball as he poses with Donovan during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House. The ceremony was held to honor Los Angeles' 2012 MLS Cup victory.

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Donovan attempts a back-heeled shot against Woodrow West of Belize during the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup in Portland, Ore. Donovan finished with a goal and two assists -- becoming the first U.S. player to record both 50 goals and 50 assists for his career -- as the U.S. won easily, 6-1.

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Donovan celebrates after scoring a goal against El Salvador during 5-1 victory over El Salvador in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal in Baltimore.

Published Aug 7, 2014

GRANT WAHL

A leading soccer journalist and best-selling author, Grant Wahl has been with SI since 1996 and has penned more than three dozen cover stories.