Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan (born March 4, 1982) is one of the most talented and best-known American soccer players. Donovan was born and grew up in Redlands, California, son of Canadian Tim Donovan and Donna Kenney Cash. Donovan signed a professional contract with German Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen in February, 1999 at the age of 17, shortly before playing in the U-17 World Cup where he won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
Donovan could not break into the first team with Leverkusen, however, and, unhappy with his situation in Germany, was loaned back to the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer for the beginning of the 2001 season. In MLS, Donovan has been hugely successful, leading the Earthquakes to two MLS Championships, and becoming one of the most recognizable faces of soccer in America. He was named US Soccer Athlete of the Year in 2003.
Donovan has also been successful on the international stage. After starring in the 2000 Summer Olympics, he earned his first cap for the U.S. National Team on October 25, 2000 against Mexico. In 2002, he was integral to the United States' run to the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Japan/South Korea, scoring two goals.
On June 3, 2004, Bayer Leverkusen announced that Donovan would return to the club on January 1, 2005.
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