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Landon Donovan’s Return a Risk Worth Taking for Player, LA Galaxy and MLS
- Updated: September 9, 2016
The biggest shock of the Major League Soccer season came from an unexpected source on Thursday because Landon Donovan announced his intention to return to the LA Galaxy for the rest of the 2016 campaign.
The club confirmed the acquisition of the all-time leading scorer in league history through a video on Twitter which revealed the 34-year-old will wear No. 26 during his comeback attempt:
He’s back. pic.twitter.com/tOEduyVv7u
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) September 8, 2016
Donovan explained why he’s returning to the game he left at the end of the 2014 season through a detailed Facebook post.
No one knows what to expect from Donovan’s entry back into MLS, but it’s already created a buzz around the club and the league as the postseason approaches. Because of his stature in the game, Donovan’s presence on the pitch carries meaning with the Galaxy and the league as a whole.
Bruce Arena’s Galaxy are coming off a 3-3 draw against Real Salt Lake on Wednesday night in which they should’ve earned three points. However, a howler from Brian Rowe in second-half stoppage time robbed them of earning a crucial road win.
Donovan won’t be able to fix the goalkeeping woes the Galaxy have suffered from, but he will bring an extra element to the attack at the perfect time.
Giovani dos Santos thrived in the tie at Rio Tinto Stadium as he bagged a brace as the top man in the final third, with Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes out.
If fit, Donovan should be able to step in right away and make an impact with Dos Santos warming up in front of goal and the Galaxy in need of another playmaker, with Zardes out until at least November.
Zardes’ absence on the wing is massive because of all the work he puts in, but now that Donovan is back in the squad, the Galaxy have a reliable chance creator with high technical ability to partner with Dos Santos and Keane.
Donovan and Keane built up a fantastic chemistry in previous seasons, with 2014 being their most successful campaign. During their run to a championship, Keane had 19 goals and 14 assists, while Donovan had 10 goals and 19 assists.
The legends of the international game aren’t expected to put up those type of numbers during the final two months of the regular season, but they will make a significant impact on the opponent’s game plan.
If Keane, Donovan and Dos Santos are out on the pitch at once, defenses will have to choose who they want to mark out of the game. Keane will stay central at his normal striker position, which means a center-back can keep an eye on …
