CARSON, Calif. — Landon Donovan is retiring as a champion, thanks to one brilliant goal by Robbie Keane.
Keane scored on a breakaway in the 111th minute, and Donovan won his record sixth MLS title Sunday in the LA Galaxy’s 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution in the MLS Cup.
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Gyasi Zardes scored in the 52nd minute as the Galaxy won their record fifth league title in the final game for Donovan, the MLS career scoring leader and most accomplished player in U.S. history.
“I’m in a little bit of a daze,” Donovan said, still champagne-soaked after the celebration of the Galaxy’s third league title in four years. “There’s a lot going on. A lot of obvious excitement. There’s sadness. Uncertainty. Just pure joy for this team and what we did. It just feels strange, but I’m so proud what this team accomplished this year.”
Donovan, Keane and the Galaxy have celebrated three times on their home field, the first two with David Beckham. Retiring with his skills largely still formidable, Donovan followed in Beckham’s footsteps by leaving on top, wrapping up his 14-year MLS career with six championships, including two with San Jose.
“He’s done it all,” said Coach Bruce Arena, who won his record fifth MLS title. “He’s got very little left to give. I’m so happy he’s made this decision. He’s able to go out a winner.”
After Chris Tierney scored the tying goal in the 79th minute for New England, both teams had golden opportunities in extra time – including a tantalizingly close free kick for Donovan, who sailed it over the bar.
But Keane capped his MVP season in the second half of extra time when Marcelo Sarvas lobbed a long pass to the Irish striker, who was nearly unmarked. He gathered it and beat Bobby Shuttleworth with the same poise he showed throughout his 19-goal regular season, then celebrated with his usual cartwheel and finger guns.
“We weren’t going into the game thinking about (Donovan),” Keane said. “(But) if we won a championship for him, no one deserves to go out on a high as much as he does. It’s a great honor to play with him.”
Donovan, 32, announced his retirement in August, saying he had lost passion for soccer and hungered to find his identity outside the sport.
“Could I play longer physically? Yeah, probably,” Donovan said. “But this feels right to me. It’s always better to retire than get cut, and that’s what I’m doing.”
Despite an outstanding second half and several extra-time chances, New England lost the MLS Cup for the fifth time – including three times to the Galaxy on extra-time goals. Keane followed in the footsteps of Carlos Ruiz, who beat the Revs in 2002, and Guillermo Ramirez, who did it in 2005.
After a scoreless first half, Zardes settled a cross from Stefan Ishizaki in the box and slotted it past Shuttleworth.
New England equalized when substitute Patrick Mullins got past Leonardo and Omar Gonzalez on a frantic run before chipping back to Tierney, who beat Jaime Penedo and silenced the crowd.
Teal Bunbury pinged a chip shot off Penedo’s crossbar in the 85th minute, missing a trophy-winning goal by inches.
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