On Oct. 10, Landon Donovan will play for the United States Men’s National Team for the 157th, and final time.
Donovan, 32, will appear in the United States’ exhibition game against Ecuador at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. The U.S. Soccer Federation will honor Donovan, who is retiring at the end of the 2014 MLS season.
“Playing for the U.S. National Team has been a huge part of my career and I’m ecstatic to have the opportunity to play for my country one last time,” Donovan said in a statement released by U.S. Soccer. “I’m so grateful to all the fans that have supported me and this game will give me the chance to say thank you to all of them. I look forward to a great evening and I’m thankful to U.S. Soccer for making this happen.”
Head coach Jurgen Klinsman, who controversially left Donovan off the United States’ roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, likely will name the rest of the squad for the Ecuador game in early October, but Donovan is a lock for the game, barring injury.
[tweet https://twitter.com/J_Klinsmann/status/504358838665883649 align=’center’]
Donovan has played for the U.S. for 15 years. He is an icon and the all-time leading goal scorer (57) and assist provider (58) in U.S. men’s national team history.
Donovan has enjoyed a farewell tour since announcing his impending retirement earlier this month. U.S. Soccer plans to give a fitting send-off to one of its great pioneers.
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Photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
