CARSON, Calif. — One hurdle confronts Landon Donovan‘s hopes to finish the final game of his career with a victory lap.
That hurdle, the New England Revolution, will face Donovan’s Los Angeles Galaxy for Major League Soccer’s championship Sunday in MLS Cup 2014 at 2 p.m. Chicago time on the Galaxy’s home field, StubHub Center.
Donovan, the all-time leading scorer for both MLS and the United States‘ national team, announced in August that he would retire after the season. Donovan made the announcement three months after being cut from the United States‘ World Cup team, for which he had played in the three previous World Cups.
A victory Sunday would give the Galaxy five MLS Cups — more than another team — and provide Donovan with his sixth — more than any other player.
“If anybody deserves to go out on a high, it’s certainly Landon, with what he’s done for this league and for the men’s national team,” said Galaxy forward Robbie Keane, named the league’s most valuable player Wednesday. “I think it’s been absolutely tremendous.”
The impact of Donovan’s decision hit him as he prepared for his final game.
“I really gave myself a few days early in the week to really understand the finality of it,” the 32-year-old said. “This whole week had been different than the past few because I personally didn’t know what was coming next. Now, I know. This is it, regardless of the score or the outcome.”
That sense of resolution enabled him to savor his remaining days as a player.
“I’ve been very excited every day to wake up and go to training,” Donovan said. “It’s been a lot of fun and I’m going to have that attitude Sunday. I personally want it to be as enjoyable as possible, and that would mean winning. These guys deserve it and I want to help.”
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Donovan combined with Keane and forward Gyasi Zardes to form MLS‘ most potent offense. Donovan finished his final season with 10 goals and a league-high 19 assists. Keane amassed 19 goals and 14 assists while Zardes added 16 goals, as Los Angeles led MLS with 69 goals.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Jamie Penedo and World Cup defender Omar Gonzalez helped the Galaxy concede a league-low 37 goals despite numerous injuries to the back line. Those injuries allowed journeyman Dan Garganand converted midfielder Robbie Rogers to emerge as solid starters.
The Revolution counters with midfielders Lee Nguyen and Jermaine Jones, another World Cup veteran. Nguyen finished third to Keene in the MVP voting after leading New England with 18 goals.
Jones — who played in Germany, England and Turkey before joining the Revolution in August — was “the perfect piece at the perfect time,” coach Jay Heaps said.
“Jermaine has brought a real swagger, a real confidence,” Heaps said. “Once Jermaine walked into the locker room, you could tell how he engaged with the players. Just how he connected from that first practice was going to be a great component.”
Once Jones arrived, the Revolution finished the season 8-1-1 — after losing eight successive games between May 31 and July 26.
“We’ve really been able to adapt things with Jermaine because he’s so smart,” Heaps said. “There are times when we need to be more aggressive attack-wise. Other times, we need him to close a gap defensively. He understands that better than most.”
For Heaps, Donovan provides an obstacle to the Revolution’s own quest to make history. New England seeks to win its first MLS Cup after losing the final four times — twice to the Galaxy. Heaps started as a defender in all four losses.
“Landon’s an excellent player, a legend,” Heaps said. “His legacy will certainly stand on its own. But we have to stay focused on what we need to do. All that other stuff is just noise.”