Goal-OrientedāLandon Donovan Is Determined to Take the Game to New Levels and Support His Players With Compassion
Three World Cup appearances, six Major League Soccer championships and 213 professional goals only begins to define the legend that is Landon Donovan. As a player who put US soccer on the map, Donovan continues to take the game to the next level. But instead of lacing up his own cleats, players from around the world have come to play for him at San Diegoās newest professional club, Loyal SC. And within 30 minutes of talking to the seasoned soccer star, one thing became crystal clear: Donovanās passion for the game lies far beyond the goals, the wins and the fame. For Donovan, soccer is the ultimate equalizerāa game that unites and ignites people from around the world. Landon Donovan San Diego
āItās the only sport where you can step into a barāthereās a game onāand you find yourself sitting next to someone born in Kenya, whoās sitting next to someone born in Argentina, who is sitting next to someone born in Kansas. They have a mutual love and respect for the game, and they care about each other just because of what this game is. Iāve never seen that in any other sport, nothing even close,ā says Donovan as he slips on his sneakers.Ā
āAnd that right there is very special.ā Landon Donovan San Diego
Before āLandon Donovan” became an American soccer household name, there was a humble beginning for the young footballer. As his mom puts it, from the time Donovan could walk, his older brother eagerly awaited a playmate. āIf we had a chance to go outside and play soccer, or basketball, or tennis, we would do it,ā says Donovan. āI got an initiation into the sport really early.ā His relationship with soccer was unique, however. Growing up, Donovan and his brother werenāt allowed to watch TV in the house.
āBecause of that, I had no knowledge of the bigger soccer world. I literally just liked to play,ā says Donovan.Ā
At the ripe age of 14, Donovan had the opportunity to try out for ODP (Olympic Development Program), and he successfully made the team. After moving from the state and regional teams to the national team for youth players in the same year, Donovan was approached by a scout for a club in Germany. āUntil that point, it hadnāt occurred to me that this could be something serious,ā says Donovan. But after a few short years in Europe, he made a decision that would change the scope of US soccer foreverāhe returned stateside to play Major League Soccer.
His move to the states lit a fire in the hearts of Eurocentric American fansāfans who had faith that Donovan would raise the game to new heights in this countryāand that he did. After 32 goals and three years with the San Jose Earthquakes, Donovan made a move to the Los Angeles Galaxy to be closer to his family. āIām an LA boy at heart,ā admits Donovan. āIt was home for me. Having my friends and familyāand eventually my wife and my kidsācome and watch was really special.ā His success with the LA Galaxy sparked a movement among young players. āI think by playing in my home city, it gave other American players who thought they were āsupposed to be playing on the bigger stage,ā permission to come back and help build something here.ā
For Donovan, thereās no place like home, but when it came to stepping onto the South Korea World Cup stage at the mere age of 20, it wasnāt something he shied away from.
āI remember walking down the tunnel to the stadium and looking over at one of my teammates (Demarcus Beasley, who I had played with since I was 16) and realizing how lucky I was to play in a World Cup. It sticks with me to this day.ā
While his World Cup debut in the moment seemed to be a nod toward his rising stardom and tremendous talent, he quickly found it meant something so much more.
āNot everyone lives like we do,ā says Donovan, with an emotional pause.
āBeing able to see the world really helped me as a human being. It gave me a level of compassion. And if you donāt travel, you never know thatāyou canāt understand it,ā he explains.
Admittedly, Donovan has dealt with a series of tumultuous ups and downs in his personal life. āI am crazy driven and crazy ambitious,ā he says, āso how I do anything is how I do everythingāI commit myself. But thatās exhausting.ā Donovan comes from a family with a history of mental health issues. Thanks to this, heās learned how to understand and manage his own. āSeeing a therapist has positively impacted my life as much or more than anything else Iāve ever done,ā says Donovan. These challenges, paired with resilient dedication and love for the game, have granted him the ability to understand people and their own struggles.
āMy number one core value is compassion, and I think the majority of that comes from this sport.ā
His heart for the game and passion for people will provide the foundation for his next venture. āWhen youāre in a team environment, youāre not successful by accident. You learn how to impact games, impact seasons and impact people.ā And Donovan will continue to do just that. This time, however, it will be from the sideline as coach of San Diegoās Loyal SC.
Players from Africa, Jamaica, Panama, Great Britain and other countries filtered into sunny San Diego to play for Donovan and his team of coaches. Meanwhile his perspective remained the same. āI want to help these young players make better lives for themselves. Itās selfish, honestly, because itās what gives me the greatest pleasure,ā he smiles. In order to do what he does best, Donovan brought in assistant coaches Carrie Taylor and Nate Miller. They work with the team from a tactical and organizational standpoint.
āThese are two really driven, hard-working people who have earned it every step of the way,ā expresses Donovan.
Loyal SC resumed play in early July with an updated season structure. The team will continue their 16-game regular season with hopes of qualifying for the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs. āIt was certainly challenging to have COVID hit right as our season started,ā admits Donovan. āBut our organization handled it extremely well. I feel very fortunate to be part of such an incredible club.ā Loyal SC continues to work closely with San Diegoās Rady Children’s Hospital to get each player tested.
Despite his strong leadership and playoff ambitions, Donovan surprisingly dials back when it comes to raising his two sons. āI donāt want my kids to be forced into anything,ā he says. His wife points out, āHe wonāt even kick the ball around with them.ā With a strong belief in allowing his kids to be who they want to be, he adopts a hands-off approach in parenting. āWhen theyāre born, I want to open the present and see what I got,ā he explains with a smile.Ā
Donovanās accomplishments feel less like trophies on a shelf and more like experiences that have shaped the man. He continues to impact the game of soccer and its people with humility, grace and a competitive spirit. And when itās all said and done, and people hear the name āLandon Donovan,ā he hopes they say one thing:
āHe cared.ā Landon Donovan San Diego
Written By: Kaylin Waizinger
Photographed By: Nick Isabella Landon Donovan San Diego
Styled By: Melissa Souza Landon Donovan San Diego
