Jurgen Klinsmann: Landon Donovan's return to the LA Galaxy 'is pretty cool'
Jurgen Klinsmann is among those intrigued by Landon Donovan's return to the LA Galaxy.
The all-time leader in MLS goals and assists made his return to the field on Sunday as a late substitute in a 4-2 win over Orlando City SC, playing his first competitive match in almost two years following his shocking decision to come back.
Klinsmann, who famously left Donovan off his 2014 World Cup roster, was hosting a Facebook Q&A on Monday, and Donovan's return was a popular topic among participating fans.
Unencumbered Landon Donovan free to enjoy bit role in LA Galaxy comeback
"I'm not surprised to see a lot of questions about Landon Donovan," a laughing Klinsmann said to open his chat. "I think it's pretty cool that Landon is back on the field. He just wants to give it another shot. So obviously he's been gone for quite a while, coming back is not going to be easy for him, but with the experience of Bruce Arena at the Galaxy I'm sure that they're going to time him the right way and build him the right way towards the playoffs.
"There's no better thing in life than kicking the ball around, then playing. Every time a player kind of comes to me and asks, 'When is the right moment to stop? What should I do?' I always tell them 'Go as long as you can, because these days when you played the game are not coming back anymore, so as long as your body is going strong, keep playing.'
"I think it's pretty cool that Landon is back."
Klinsmann's full Q&A, in which he also says he told Sacha Kljestan, "See you back in October," following his standout showing in this month's World Cup qualifiers, can be seen below:
In making his return, Donovan did not make any statements about trying to extend that into a U.S. national team return as well, focusing solely on helping the Galaxy in their run toward another MLS Cup title. Klinsmann did not offer any comment, one way or another, on considering bringing Donovan back into the fold. Donovan told SI Now in June, when he was a commentator for Fox Sports during Copa America Centenario, that the two buried the hatchet and are on good terms.
Donovan played his last national team match in October 2014 against Ecuador, and he retired as the USMNT's all-time leading goal scorer with 57. Clint Dempsey is on his heels, raising his total to 52 during Copa America .
