EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – He had come oh-so-close to scoring during his national team farewell, listened to fans repeatedly serenade him with his name, accepted presents and exchanged hugs.
And then, when he stood on the field at the end and watched some of the many highlights of his 15-year-old international career flashed on the giant video board, Landon Donovan no longer could hold back the tears.
“It was beyond my wildest dreams, for sure,” Donovan said after the United States tied Ecuador 1-1 on Friday night in his 157th international appearance. “As a human being, to feel that kind of love and support is incredible. I’ve put a lot into this game over many years and tonight feels like it was all worth it.”
He nearly scored in the 25th minute, when he sprinted onto a backheel pass from Jozy Altidore, took a touch and beat goalkeeper Maximo Banguera with a right-footed shot from 12 yards. But the ball clanked off a post, and Donovan couldn’t beat Banguera and Walter Ayovi to the rebound. He sent another long shot just over the crossbar a few minutes later.
Donovan, the American career leader in international goals (57) and assists (58), had been estranged from the national team since coach Jurgen Klinsmann cut him from the World Cup roster on May 22, ending Donovan’s dream of a fourth trip to soccer’s showcase. The 32-year-old forward announced in August that he will retire from soccer after completing this season with Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy.