Top U.S. professional soccer player Landon Donovan announced Thursday on his Facebook page that he will retire from the sport at the end of the MLS season.
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I don't write these words lightly and this day carries mixed emotions for me. I am sad to leave a profession that has brought me so much joy,” he said in a long post, adding that he will miss his teammates and coaches. “However, after spending half my life as a professional soccer player, I also am excited to begin a new chapter and pursue other opportunities that will challenge me and allow me to grow as a person.”
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In writing about the announcement,
USA Today called Donovan, 32, “the greatest American soccer player ever.” He is the USA's leading goalscorer in World Cups and is the top goalscorer in MLS. His list of feats is long – he's a five-time winner of the MLS Cup, winner of the Supporters’ Shield, and was named MLS All-Star Game MVP two times.
One of those MVP awards came after he scored the winning goal against Bayern Munich Wednesday.
During his successful career, Donovan became known as someone dedicated to promoting soccer in America and has seen it increase tremendously in popularity. He addressed that goal in his announcement.
“As we enter a transformative time for the sport, I will do everything I can to help the continued growth of soccer in the United States. I look forward to making a difference, pursuing my passions and meeting all of you along the way in this next phase of my life,” he wrote.
Donovan was left off the squad for this year's World Cup, although he's been a hero for the U.S. Men's National Team at previous Cups, especially in 2010 when he scored a last-second goal against Algeria to win the group for the USA.
Soccer players and fans turned to social media to lament Donovan’s decision.
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