The LA Galaxy attacker made his international debut in 2000 and has gone on to set records for the fifty-states country. He is the most capped player in U.S. history with 144 appearances and has netted an impressive 51 goals (as of July 6, 2013).
He is the country’s all time goal scorer ahead of Brian McBride and has also registered the most assists above Ben Olson and Cobi Jones. His performances have seen him pick up the award of U.S. Soccer Award of the Year on four occasions, whilst he is only one of three players to score in more than one FIFA World Cup.
In rejoice of his return here is a feast of Donovan’s five greatest goals on the international scale, as compiled by LiveSoccerTV.com:
5) Swift pass and move verses Mexico: 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup final, 25/06/11
Despite a drastic 4-2 defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Mexico after slipping up from a 2-0 lead over El Tricolor, Donovan issued his forty-sixth goal in American colours, providing a finishing touch to a splendid pass and move display from the middle of the park.
The U.S.' precision passing was matched by Donovan's scurry into the danger zone, slotting the ball around an advancing keeper to signal the nation's ambitions approach.
His willingness to infiltrate the box at the exact moment is revealed in his movement between defenders as he astutely integrates himself onto the ball at the right angle to move onto his left before joining the capacity crowd in their ecstatic celebrations.
The goal can be framed as one of the greatest goals of the 2011 tournament, despite Mexico’s triumph in the final.
4) Acute angle strike verses Slovenia: FIFA World Cup 2010, 18/06/2010
Game two of the group stage was captivated by Donovan’s devilish shot following a slick pass down the right channel, which gifted the forward with an opportunity of choice after latching onto the attack.
Bravely deciding to opt for fame, he instinctively belted the ball in from a finely tuned angle, leaving talented keeper Samir Handanovic with little hope as Donovan crashed the ball into the roof of the net.
The goal bares significance after the American hero came up trumps to bring his country back into a game they looked certain to lose, augmenting the maturity of the nation’s football with a fighting performance.
His refined technique and egotism demonstrates how the number 10 had confidence in his ability to dazzle the Slovenian back line with an element of pride in his stylish finishing.
3) Referee's deflection turns into counter verses Mexico: Friendly, 7/2/07
A horrid deflection from the referee granted a blistering 23rd goal for Donovan with a strike that put the forward on the map as America's next top sporting hero.
Upon receiving the ball, Donovan provides us with a glimpse of the various dimensions in his play with pace, awareness and direction. Although looking over his shoulder for possible support, his transformation in speed granted him with a runaway opportunity, taking the game to the resistance, slotting the ball in-between a high back line at a resounding rate of knots.
The onset arrival of Mexican keeper Sanchez was professional dealt with as Donovan swiftly provided a glimpse of what would become a trademark finish by taking the ball around the goalie to before punting home for glory.
The goal guaranteed an impressive 2-0 victory at the University of Phoenix Stadium, sourcing the launch of the nation’s revival which embarked on an evolution on the international stage.
2) Sprint and rebound verses Algeria: FIFA World Cup 2010, 23/06/2010
Goal forty-four of Donovan’s international career was perhaps one of his most crucial. In a tough encounter against a resilient Algerian side, the American’s stunned the opposition with a rasping break-away following failure to score at the reverse end of the ground.
Tim Howard caught the ball from a tame header and quickly tossed the ball towards Donavan at a whispering tempo. His swift intelligence provided a four-on-two attack which caught their opponents napping.
Following his sprinting surge and pass to his colleague to enhance play, Donovan’s momentum carried him through to the punt in a rebound from close range following a snapshot save from the goal keeper. This amplified mass celebration as the goal secured a last 16 place in the competition.
The tenacity and endeavour of the team paid off, scoring in the dieing embers of the game, securing a place in history as one of the country’s most memorable goals.
1) Counter attack finish verses Brazil: FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, 28/06/2009
USA progressed through the tournament in surprising fashion in arguably the most spectacular Confederations Cup final since its birth. Despite Brazil's emphatic comeback to win in Johannesburg by 3-2, Donovan's 41st goal in the twenty-seventh minute was the most lucrative spectacle of the game.
Samba style football, stealing the traits of their renowned opposition created a fashionable counter attack with a world-class finish from the former Bayern Munich and Everton loanee. A quick one-two exchange of play with Charlie Davies was accompanied with a wonderful cut back before delivering a lethal finish into the bottom corner.
His swift decision making left defender Juan and keeper Julio Cesar flat on their rears after being caught out by Donovan's attacking experience.
What to expect from Donovan over the next three weeks…
The addition of Landon Donovan is crucial to the U.S. squad. His performance at the Gold Cup this month will be an opportunity for him to underline himself as a positive inspiration in Jurgen Klinsmann's squad. He can be viewed as America’s Lionel Messi and will look to set the records straight over local rival Mexico - following 2011’s disappointment as the United States look to attain their fifth CONCACAF Gold Cup title.
The tournament will host twelve countries in thirteen venues with the final taking place in Chicago’s Soldier Field on 28th July. The USA’s first game kicks of in Group C on July 9, against Belize at the Jeld-Wen Field in Portland. They will do a trip to Sandy’s Rio Tinto Stadium to host Cuba before travelling to East Hartford to take on Costa Rica at Rentschler Field.
The CONCACAF Gold Cup 2013 is available on broadcast via ESPN in the United Kingdom, and on Fox and Univision in the United States.
