Tag Archives: landon donovan

MLS MVP Award Name Change

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By Kaleb Page

The game of soccer in the United States is still on the upswing and still has vast improvements to be made not only in international play, but also here in the states as part of Major League Soccer.

A major factor in the growth of soccer here would be a player that not only was an exceptional athlete on the field but an even better person off of it. This player would be none other than Landon Donovan. A player that is easily the most recognized faces in the soccer community (and by casual fans) as not only an ambassador for the sport but as someone who was there for the tough times in U.S. soccer that have led to a bigger and better following today.

This Thursday at the MLS Superdraft, the MLS made sure to pay tribute to the player who lead countless U.S. men’s national soccer teams and finished his career being the all-time leading scorer in the league. This tribute made by the MLS was to re-name the MVP trophy the “Landon Donovan MVP award.”

Donovan was on hand to be presented with the honor and went on to say:

“I am incredibly honored. I will try to live my life in a way that is worthy of having a MVP award named after you.” – Landon Donovan

Fox Sports talked with MLS commissioner Don Gerber on what made the league do this and the answer was simple. He said that the league wanted to enshrine Donovan’s achievements permanently after his influential role in the growth of the league over the past decade.

I think it is cool for this league to make it a point to honor and remember someone who put in the effort and work to make the league better than it once was. Donovan had all the talent to go play in other more top flight leagues at the time, and instead looked to stay home in hopes of one day making the MLS a league worthwhile.

In his 14 seasons as a player in the MLS Donovan has a resume to be proud of, amassing over 144 goals, 136 assists and a record six MLS Cup titles. It is safe to say the MLS made the right decision in making this living American soccer icon the title bearer on its highest trophy to an individual player. An appropriate way to commemorate the man who carried the torch for U.S. soccer for so long, and now can sit back and watch how this sport will grow for years to come. This being in large part to the foundation he laid and passion he brought to the game.

Thank you for all you did #10.

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Landon Donovan Goes Unnoticed

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By Kate Roth

Unless you are a follower of soccer you are probably unaware that the Major League Soccer playoffs here in the United States are in full go. If that is true, I would also be willing to bet that you had no idea a player in the Western Conference semi-final scored a hat trick for the first time in a playoff game since 1999. The name of the player you ask? Well none other than Landon Donovan of course.

When I read the headline on Major League Soccer’s homepage and found out this news TWO DAYS after the actual game, I felt the same way I’m sure most felt upon hearing the news, “How did I not hear about this already?” Landon Donovan has become known as one of the most iconic figures in United States Soccer history and it is quite shocking to me that the media is paying so little attention to him as he makes his last run before retirement.

Soccer may not be the most popular sport in the United States, but it is certainly on the rise and the media needs to take notice of this. By covering Donovan’s final games throughout the rest of the MLS Playoffs the media could help spread the popularity of the sport around the country and help soccer gain the respect it gets in other countries throughout the world.

It seems that the only time we hear or see ESPN or any of the other major sports reports talk about soccer is when the FIFA World Cup is on or there is some sort of controversy to cover.

Just think back to a few months ago right before the World Cup was set to begin and the United States coach decided that Donovan was not fit for his team. The media could not get enough of this story and seemed to be interviewing Donovan everyday with his thoughts on the matter. The media sure seemed to care about Donovan then, but where are they now.

The media makes it seem like without controversy they have nothing to report on, but that is not the case. The man who has helped shape the United States Men’s National Soccer Team into what it is today is on his final tour and so far, going out in style. He scored 3 goals and had an assist in a conference-semi final game which could have easily been the last game he ever played. Landon Donovan is going out in the way we dream of legendary players leaving the field for the last time. Accomplishing things that haven’t been done in over a decade and leading his team to victory.

Landon Donovan has been one of the most exciting players to watch play the sport of soccer for the United States and deserves more respect from the media. Even though the media may not think they need to pay any attention to soccer, this is different. Landon Donovan changed the way we look at soccer in the United States. He plays every game with more passion than you will see more athletes show throughout their entire careers, and for that we need to thank him and support him as he plays in his final games.

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