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In true fashion, you just knew this would be the moment Landon Donovan would etch his name into the history books.
After everything that has happened, this was destiny for Donovan.
Days after being left of the USA’s World Cup roster in shock fashion, Donovan became Major League Soccer’s record all-time leading goalscorer as the LA Galaxy forward notched the 135th goal of his MLS career against the Philadelphia Union.
The face of the league for decades, Donovan finally edged past Jeff Cunningham after tying the record back at the end of last season on October 6, 2013. It has been a long wait since then, as Donovan finally bagged his first goal of the current season.
After 311 games in MLS, Donovan has now scored more goals than anyone else in MLS history. It is an incredible achievement for a player who has often played wide or in the creative role in midfield throughout his career.
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There’s no doubt about it, Donovan has had a slow start to the 2014 MLS season and it took him eight games into the campaign to write his name in the record books as the sole leading scorer in MLS history. It was certainly worth the wait as Donovan’s celebrations showed when he tapped home from close range after Robbie Keane played the ball across to him just after half time.
Emotion was etched all across Donovan’s face as he sunk to his knees after making history.
The 32-year-old forward began his MLS career with the San Jose Earthquakes back in 2001 and has spent 10 seasons with the LA Galaxy since returning from various stints abroad.
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It has been a difficult week for Donovan, perhaps the toughest of his career for the U.S. national team veteran, who was a shock omission from Jurgen Klinsmann’s final 23-man roster for the World Cup in Brazil this summer. Yet he put all of those negative vibes behind him and got back to what he does best: scoring goals and making things happen.
At the age of 32, many people aren’t sure how long Donovan will carry on playing now his 14-year career as a USMNT star seems to be all but over. He signed a multi-year contract extension over the past offseason so it is safe to suggest Donovan will be around scoring in MLS, and extending his record, for many seasons to come.
Congrats, Landon.