Considered to be the best American to ever grace a soccer field, Landon Donovan is the

United States four time player of the year, top goal scorer and assist leader with 57 goals and 50 assists.  Having already retired from the U.S. national team, Landon Donovan now faces his last season in the MLS and is looking for his sixth MLS Cup.

At just five years old, Landon Donovan started to play soccer. He scored seven goals in his first soccer game. Donovan then went on to finish high school and bypass college to play for the U.S. U-17 National Team. It wasn’t until 2002 that his dream came true. Landon Donovan, at 20 years old, made his World Cup debut. Donovan was able to score two goals in the tournament one being against Americas arch rivals Mexico. In 2002, the U.S. finally stepped up their game, clinching a final 8 spot for the World Cup, where they would be eliminated by Germany. However, Donovan received the World Cups “Best Young Player”.

Four years later Donovan participated in the 2006 World Cup in Germany where he became the all-time assist leader for the U.S. Then, in the 2007 Gold Cup, he led the U.S. to the finals where, they met up with their rival Mexico. The U.S. pulled off a fantastic 2-1 win with Donovan, of course, scored the winning goal.

But it wasn’t until 2010 when London Donovan changed soccer in the United States and earned the title as an American Legend. It was the World Cup, the most widely viewed sporting event in the world, exceeding even the Olympic Games. The 2010 World Cup, described as the “holy grail” by Donovan, was hosted by South Africa, the first African country to host the historic tournament. The U.S. was placed in Group C, where they faced England for their first game. The final score was tied 1-1. The U.S. then tied Slovenia 2-2; goals were scored by Bradley and Donovan.

Next was Algeria, this game was crucial for the United States’ World Cup hopes because only a win would keep the U.S. alive and secure them a spot in the last 16. Risking elimination and now carrying the hopes of the whole country, the U.S. had to win. The game started off well for the U.S. after a number of good chances against the solid Algerian defense.

But the intense game led on scoreless for the whole 90 minutes. With two minutes left of stoppage time, the U.S. needed to score quickly. It was now or never for the U.S. It was only in the last play of the game they were able to tap in to the relentless American spirit. As Dempsey’s shot was miserably blocked, who else but Landon Donovan to put away the rebound and keep the United States’ world cup hopes alive.

It was that moment in time where Donovan put his name in the history books. Like a bomb that goal made the U.S. explode. America had caught the soccer fever all thanks to that one crucial goal, that one breathtaking moment, and the one and only American Legend, Landon Donovan.