Nick Ut/Associated Press

United States' Donovan Retires as Nation's All-Time Leader in Goals and Assists

Bleacher Report Milestones

Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan, who plans to retire at the end of this season, will finish his career as the all-time leading scorer for the United States men's national team, with 57 goals in 156 international games, per ESPN Stats & Info.

Donovan, the second-most capped player in USMNT history, is also the proud owner of numerous other records. His 58 career international assists are a record for an American, and his 156 caps trail only the 164 of retired midfielder Cobi Jones, who played with Donovan at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.

Speaking of the game's greatest stage, Donovan will retire as the United States' all-time leader in both World Cup games (12) and goals (five), per ESPN's Paul Carr.

Though he went scoreless at the 2006 Cup in Germany, Donovan tallied two goals at the 2002 iteration, and he memorably added three more in South Africa in 2010. He was responsible for arguably the finest moment in USMNT history, as he sent the U.S. through to the knockout stage in 2010 with a stoppage-time winner against Algeria in the final group game.

Though best remembered for the aforementioned goal and his numerous successes with the national team, Donovan also owns the MLS records for most career goals in the regular season (138) and playoffs (22), per ESPN Stats & Info.

While his controversial exclusion from the 2014 World Cup roster won't be forgotten anytime soon, Donovan will ultimately be remembered as perhaps the most influential player in American history.

   

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