Landon Donovan will retire at end of 2014 MLS season

Landon Donovan has been candid and open about stepping away from the game when he feels the time is right. It appears as if that time is now. 

Donovan, U.S. Soccer and Major League Soccer's all-time leading scorer, will retire at the end of the 2014 MLS season, he announced on Thursday. The announcement comes a day after Donovan scored the game-winning goal against Bayern Munich to earn MLS All-Star Game MVP honors.

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Donovan, in an open letter to the LA Galaxy's website, writes: 

"After careful deliberation and after many conversations with those closest to me, I have decided that this will be my last season as a professional soccer player.

I don't write these words lightly and this day carries mixed emotions for me.  I am sad to leave a profession that has brought me so much joy.  I will miss all of the teammates who helped me create so many incredible memories on-the-field, and who I have shared many wonderful experiences with off-the-field.  I will miss my coaches, at both the club and national team levels, who have helped me develop throughout my career and helped make me the player I am today.  However, after spending half my life as a professional soccer player, I also am excited to begin a new chapter and pursue other opportunities that will challenge me and allow me to grow as a person.

There are so many people I want to thank who have inspired me, guided me and helped me on this incredible journey.  I simply could not have accomplished what I did during my playing career without an overwhelming amount of support from my family, my friends and many others.  I plan to express my gratitude to everyone in a more detailed manner at a later date; however, for now, I want to single out the fans.  You are the lifeblood of this sport and, without you, none of us would be fortunate to call ourselves professional soccer players in MLS.  

I feel incredibly blessed and lucky to have played a role in the remarkable growth of MLS and US Soccer during my playing career.  And while my career as a player will soon be over, rest assured I will stay connected on many levels to the beautiful game.

As we enter a transformative time for the sport, I will do everything I can to help the continued growth of soccer in the United States.  I look forward to making a difference, pursuing my passions and meeting all of you along the way in this next phase of my life.

With gratitude,

Landon"

Donovan, 32, will step away as the most decorated men's player in U.S. Soccer history. He played in three World Cups, helping the Americans to the 2002 quarterfinals, before famously being left off the 2014 World Cup roster by manager Jurgen Klinsmann. 

His most iconic moment came in the 2010 group stage against Algeria, when his stoppage time goal put the USA through to the knockout stage from the brink of elimination. 

“Landon Donovan is one of the most significant figures in the history of soccer in the United States,” Galaxy manager Bruce Arena said in a team statement. “His influence on MLS and soccer in this country will continue to be felt for many years to come. As both a player and a person, Landon has been an incredible representative of the LA Galaxy, MLS and the U.S. men’s national team, and it has been my honor coaching him. We respect his decision to retire at the end of the season and look forward to competing for another MLS Cup and celebrating his outstanding career.”

He has 57 goals and 58 assists in his international career – both U.S. records – and his 138 regular-season goals and 22 postseason goals are the most in MLS history. Donovan, who had signed a multi-year contract with the Galaxy last August, has won five MLS Cup championships, and he'll be aiming to go out with a record sixth. His Galaxy have won four of their last five games, with Donovan playing a vital role in the summer surge. He has four goals and seven assists so far this season.

GALLERY: Classic photos of Donovan

Landon Donovan Classic Photos

Landon Donovan

Courtesy of SportsNet

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.

Landon Donovan

Andrew Cornaga/AFP/Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

Norbert Schmidt/SI

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

Landon Donovan

Norbert Schmidt/SI

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

Landon Donovan

Sandra Behne/Bongarts via Getty Images

Donovan during a quiet moment with Bayer Leverkusen.

Landon Donovan

David J. Phillip/AP

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.

Landon Donovan

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

Simon Bruty/SI

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

Landon Donovan

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

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

Landon Donovan

Tony Gutierrez/AP

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.

Landon Donovan

Roberto Schmidt/AFP Photo

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

Landon Donovan

Ben Radford/Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

Pascal Guyot/AFP/Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

Simon Bruty/SI

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.

Landon Donovan

Pascal Guyot/AFP/Getty Images

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

Landon Donovan

SGranitz/WireImage

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

Landon Donovan

Philippe Merle/AFP/Getty Images

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

Landon Donovan

John Todd/SI

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

Landon Donovan

Peter Read Miller/SI

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

Landon Donovan

David Bergman/SI

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

Landon Donovan

David Bergman/SI

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

Landon Donovan

Simon Bruty/SI

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

Landon Donovan

Simon Bruty/SI

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

Landon Donovan

T. Quinn/WireImage

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.

Landon Donovan

Simon Bruty/SI

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

Landon Donovan

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.

Landon Donovan

AP

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

Landon Donovan

Simon Bruty/SI

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

Landon Donovan

Tony Quinn/Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

German Alegria/MLS via Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

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

Landon Donovan

Adam Rose/ABC via Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

Diane Bondareff/AP

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.

Landon Donovan

Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

Donovan during an SI For Kids photo shoot.

Landon Donovan

Simon Bruty/SI

Donovan poses during an SI photo shoot.

Landon Donovan

Simon Bruty/SI

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

Landon Donovan

Pedro Ugarte/AFP via Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

Simon Bruty/SI

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

Landon Donovan

Adam Jacobs/Icon SMI

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.

Landon Donovan

Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon SMI

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.

Landon Donovan

Jamie Squire/FIFA/FIFA/Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

James Devaney/WireImage

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".

Landon Donovan

Noel Vasquez/Getty Images

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

Landon Donovan

Alexandra Wyman/Getty Images

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

Landon Donovan

Christopher Polk/WireImage

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

Landon Donovan

Christopher Polk/Getty Images

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

Landon Donovan

Jordan Strauss/Wireimage.com

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.

Landon Donovan

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

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

Landon Donovan

Zuma Press/Icon SMI

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.

Landon Donovan

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

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

Landon Donovan

Adek Berry/AFP/Getty Images

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

Landon Donovan

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

Noah Graham/NHLI via Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

Justin Cooper/Icon SMI

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.

Landon Donovan

Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

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

Landon Donovan

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

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

Landon Donovan

Susan Walsh/AP

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.

Landon Donovan

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

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.

Landon Donovan

Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

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.