Landon Timothy Donovan was born on March 4, 1982, in Ontario, California.  He became a soccer sensation at a young age and spent much time in Germany playing for their soccer team.  He did not like his time overseas and wanted to come back to the States, which he did.  In 2003, he was named U.S. soccer athlete of the year. During his stint in the U.S. Landon helped the Sam Jose Earthquakes go from worst to first as he helped them capture the MLS Cup in 2001 after having a league-worst record the year before.

When the World Cup in 2002 rolled around, Landon became the poster boy for the American team and assisted when the U.S. upset Portugal in the first game and advanced all the way to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1930.

In the 2003 season with the Earthquake, Landon had another spectacular season. In 22 games that year Landon totaled 12 goals and 6 assists and was discussed as an MVP candidate. Furthermore, Landon led the Earthquakes to top honors in the West and another playoff season. The Earthquake went on to win another championship and Landon was named MVP of the championship game against the Chicago Fire.

As Landon’s popularity in America grew and his skill became more globally recognized, his four year loan to the Earthquake came to an abrupt end and Bayer asked for him back. He still had four years remaining on his contract with Bayer. In 2005 Landon fulfilled his duties and went back to Germany. After several games passed and Landon had only started two games, he expressed his desire to return to America. Bayer respected his wishes and let him go back to the states. However, because San Jose had traded away Landon’s rights, he was to go to the team at the top of the allocation pecking order. The Los Angeles Galaxy made a trade in order to ensure themselves this position and Landon became the newest member of Galaxy.

In his first year with his new team, Landon had one of the best seasons of his young career tallying 12 goals and 10 assists in 22 games. On his way to leading the Galaxy to an MLS championship, Landon notched 4 postseason goals. The next year Landon had another successful season with the Galaxy, although he missed eight games while playing for the U.S. National Team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. He still managed to tie his career high in goals with 12. Unfortunately his success in the U.S. didn’t translate to Germany as the Americans were knocked out during group play.

Although Landon and the Americans struggled in Germany, Landon has a gaudy international record over the course of his career. Landon is leads the USA’s all time goals and assists lists. He is also the youngest player in U.S. history to reach 50 caps (international appearances) and will be the youngest player to reach 100 when he gets his next international cap.
In 2007, Landon had another great season leading the Galaxy with 8 goals and a new career high 13 assists. Landon was involved in over half the team’s goals and was named to the MLS All-Star Team for the seventh straight year. That year Landon joined an elite list comprised of only eight players in MLS history to have both 60 goals and 60 assists. Even more impressive is the fact that he accomplished this at only 25. Landon is also 10th in MLS regular season goal scoring history with 72 goals and 2nd in playoff history with 14.

The start of the 2008 season has been Landon’s best yet with 9 goals in the first 9 games of the season. He and newly acquired David Beckham have formed a dynamic offensive connection and together have the Galaxy eyeing another championship.