The LA Galaxy unveiled a new bronze statue outside Dignity Health Sports Park yesterday, honouring former player Landon Donovan. Donovan, who scored a team record 113 goals during his time in Los Angeles, was also inducted into the team’s ring of honour at halftime.
The American born forward spent the better part of 10 years with the club, and helped the Galaxy capture MLS titles in 2005, 2011, 2012, and 2014. During his run on the west coast, he set league records for the most playoff goals (25) and assists (15).
Donovan becomes the 2nd Galaxy player to have a statue erected in his honour alongside David Beckham whom the team created a monument for in 2019. The Ontario, California native also becomes the 5th Galaxy player to have his name included in the ring of honour.
At the unveiling ceremony, MLS commissioner Don Garber remarked “If Landon didn’t make the decision to come back to Major League Soccer at the time that he did and come to the Galaxy in 2005, tell the world that MLS was his league, the Galaxy was his club, he was going to help build soccer in his country, we would not be where we are today”.
In addition to his MLS career, Donovan also represented the US internationally 157 times between 2000 and 2014, scoring 57 goals in the process. Since retiring, he’s worked in broadcasting with the likes of ESPN and Fox Sports, and founded a USL expansion team in San Diego.