In rising above detractors, Landon Donovan sealed his legacy

Go ahead and poke holes in Landon Donovan’s “perfect” moment. It isn’t tough to find them if that’s what you’re looking for.

Start with the fact that Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game was a glorified friendly with parties attached. Donovan’s 70th-minute goal, which lifted the league select team to a 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich, counted for nothing -- at least officially. And it came against a visitor with no interest in high-stakes competition. Bayern’s top players made only token appearances and its coach had a conniption over a couple of unfriendly tackles.

Yet Donovan, who has scored enough to know, called his goal “perfect” during his Thursday news conference in California, where he confirmed his impending retirement. Meaning hinges on priorities, and there were multiple layers to his game-winning strike, which, by the way, was no simple finish. With Donovan, it’s rarely simple.

Landon Donovan's impact reaches well beyond the playing field

He knew, for example, that Diego Valeri’s long, high cross might have represented a final chance to score under the spotlight. Unless the L.A. Galaxy (9-4-6) contest the MLS Cup final in three months, the All-Star Game will be the last time Donovan plays with a nation or two (and perhaps more) watching. It may have been meaningless technically, but people were paying attention and to some -- even if it was only the players representing MLS in Portland -- the result genuinely mattered. There was poignancy added to the pressure.

Then there’s the backstory with Bayern, where Donovan played on loan following the 2008 MLS season. Critics regard the German juggernaut’s decision to pass on a contract offer as a significant professional and personal failure. It also marked the start of the deterioration in his relationship with Jurgen Klinsmann, then the Bayern coach and now the U.S. national team manager who excluded Donovan from this summer's World Cup.

“If everybody only knew what was going on,” he said Thursday when asked about the quick turnaround between his goal and bombshell of an announcement. If only, indeed. An assessment of Donovan always has required a deeper dive.

Go ahead and find the holes in his career. So many have. He failed in Germany, they say, and never had the guts to stay in England. He was lousy at the 2006 World Cup. When younger (remember, he turned pro at 17), he could be petulant or even a prima donna. As he aged, he could be overly sensitive or introspective. He yearned for a life with balance. We're told athletes should be fighters, not thinkers. They should remember how lucky they are. Just shut up and play. Then, in 2013, he went to Cambodia instead of Honduras. He lacked ambition. He wasted his talent. There was ample support for Klinsmann’s controversial decision to leave Donovan behind.

“If everybody only knew what was going on.”

Has the best, most decorated player in any other competitive soccer nation faced as many doubters as Donovan? Has anyone of his stature required such passionate defense, or experienced the sort of “suffering” to which tearful Galaxy coach Bruce Arena alluded in an interview with TWC SportsNet? Thursday’s rush to lionize the all-time leading scorer in both MLS and U.S. national team history, a winner of 12 major trophies for club and country, was appropriate. But it also seemed like an organic effort to mute any past or potential criticism -- to drown out the “what ifs?” It was part tribute, part debate.

Arena, who led the U.S. at two World Cups and coached the likes of Claudio Reyna, Kasey Keller and Brian McBride, said he had a “hard time thinking that there’s another American player that’s accomplished as much as Landon.”

MLS commissioner Don Garber said, “There is no doubt [the league] would not be what it is today without Landon Donovan … Landon is to MLS, what Michael Jordan was to the NBA, Wayne Gretzky was to the NHL and Tiger Woods was to the PGA Tour -- a player who’s sporting accomplishments and popularity transformed their respective leagues and set a new standard for how the game would be played.”

The boost Donovan’s goal offered MLS on Wednesday at Providence Park compares to the massive lift he gave the league over the past 14 years. Whatever U.S. soccer lost because of his European failure/avoidance was repaid many times over by his efforts at home. MLS isn’t the Premier League or La Liga, but it also isn’t easy. The travel is taxing, the play is physical and the demands on a player like Donovan, who’s a focal point for the public and every opposing coach, are real. The other team’s defense may not always be world class, but neither are your teammates. For around a dozen years, Donovan has been a linchpin on the pitch and a patient spokesman off it. And he’s been a leader within the MLS Players Union.

He may not have succeeded long-term in England (he certainly did in the short-term at Everton) or Germany. Other Americans have. But Donovan managed a feat none of them neared. He became something close to a household name in a country still skeptical about soccer. He was the first American male to transcend the sport. It’s a remarkable achievement, required a lot of work and may have shortened Donovan’s career. He’s ending it at 32 years of age, and it’s an ending that’s been coming for two years.

"I thought it was much more important to be here than be lost in the shuffle of a European league,” Donovan said Thursday.

Maybe he stayed home to make a difference or perhaps he made a difference because he stayed home. It doesn’t matter at this point. He did what felt right to him and now, from Carson and Columbus to Jeonju and Pretoria, U.S. soccer boasts tradition and a collective memory. There are places, matches and moments that conjure images and feelings and represent milestones -- or benchmarks to be surpassed. Fans who believed the U.S. would advance from the World Cup’s Group of Death or who are certain their favorite players can succeed in the sport’s top leagues stand upon that foundation. It wouldn’t exist without Donovan, who in refusing to become everyone’s ideal player became the player American soccer needed.

The sport started as a local pastime. Clubs represented neighborhoods or demographic groups within neighborhoods and as a result, generations of supporters found a gathering place with meaning. Ask fans of a team that will never win the Champions League or Premier League (and that’s the vast majority of them) why they continue to spend time and money despite scant hope of a big-time trophy, and they’ll tell you about roots and camaraderie with their fellow supporters. Connections create strength.

In the U.S., those connections are tenuous. MLS clubs are young. They face fierce competition from more entrenched sports. Matches are played thousands of miles apart, limiting traveling support. The national team enjoys primacy. The game is global now. Many fans prefer foreign clubs and leagues to the ones nearby.

Donovan was a throwback. He kept it local. He valued family, preferred to be home and typically played better when he was. He wanted to be liked by those he worked with and he was the furthest thing from a mercenary (he forfeited millions by retiring). Donovan’s heart was in his front yard. He had pride in his league and club, perhaps more than they’d earned, and chose to focus his efforts there. That’s something for which no one should ever apologize. He owed his colleagues and the fans inside the stadium an honest effort, nothing more. Disappointment in his humanity or career choices reflects only on the disappointed.

When asked Thursday about his legacy, Donovan said, "I hope that my teammates will say I was a good teammate. I hope that my coaches will say they enjoyed working with me and having me on their team. I hope that the fans enjoyed watching and could see how much I gave to this sport over the last 16 years. And that’s really it. Because at the end of the day the goals and the assists and the accolades and that stuff, in the end they don’t mean a whole lot to me. But the relationships matter.”

How might American soccer prosper if more players, investors, fans and sponsors were so motivated by that search for community and connection? How many more future players, investors, fan and sponsors might be inspired by seeing the likes of Donovan up close? His career reflects the possibilities.

That’s how soccer nations are built, and Donovan has helped pave the way. The only real disappointment associated with his historic run should be the amount of time we spent looking for the holes.

Gallery: Classic photos of Landon Donovan

Landon Donovan Classic Photos

Landon Donovan

A former dare-to-dream-big kid who has matured into the most decorated male player to ever don the United States uniform, Landon Donovan has been a mainstay in American soccer for over a decade. Now back on U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann's radar after a personal hiatus, Donovan is trying to help lead the U.S. to a berth in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Here are some classic photos of Donovan.

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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.