Landon Donovan Goal Holds Up, Leon Tops Earthquakes in Friendly

Landon Donovan controls possession for Club Leon in a friendly match against the San Jose Earthquakes on March 24th, 2018. Photo by Lyndsay Radnedge.

Landon Donovan did Landon Donovan things Saturday Night at Avaya Stadium as he added another chapter to his bizarre relationship with the San Jose Earthquakes, slotting home a 19th minute goal that proved to be the game winner for Club Leon as they topped the Earthquakes 1-0 in a friendly match.

The man who led the Earthquakes to their only two MLS Cups in 2001 and 2003, but is remembered as “Judas” and other unmentionable names by Earthquakes faithful after joining the LA Galaxy ahead of the 2005 season, made his first start since joining the Liga MX side in January and made the most of his opportunity, finding a ball at the top of the 18 yard box that had deflected off Nick Lima, turning and one timing a low liner that slotted right past Andrew Tarbell.

“It’s pretty instinctive, I just turned and hit it. I wasn’t exactly sure where I was on the field, but when you shoot, good things happen. It felt good to score and good to contribute.” said Donovan following the game.

“It shows his class.” said Chris Wondolowski. “It’s fun to see, I’m glad he’s not playing for the Galaxy because I’ve seen that enough. What a turn, what a hit, its a half chance at best and for him to put it there was pretty special.”

It seemed like it would be a great moment to once again stick in the craw of a fan base that has reviled him over the years, but instead, the normally expressive Donovan chose to calmly and cooly walk back down the field following his strike.

“I want to be able to help contribute. That feeling is good, its just a nice feeling. I’ve scored enough goals that I don’t need to celebrate like crazy and it just felt good to contribute.”

Landon Donovan fires a shot on goal that would prove to be the game winner for Club Leon in a friendly against the San Jose Earthquakes on March 24th, 2018. Photo by Lyndsay Radnedge.

San Jose had several chances to equalize, including one just four minutes later, when Chris Wondolowski failed to follow the script and put a sitter over the crossbar.

The night clearly belonged to the American soccer legend, as “Landycakes” made what could be his final appearance on American soil in the place where he first started his American soccer journey, and nobody was more appreciative than Chris Wondolowski, the man with his sights set firmly on Donovan’s career MLS goal scoring record.

“It’s a friendly, but its a moment that will stick with me.” said Wondolowski after exchanging jerseys following the match. “I think of my college self watching that 2003 playoff run, and the fact that I get to be with Landon Donovan exchanging jerseys, that he actually knows my name is a cool thing.”

Landon Donovan battles with Fatai Alashe during a friendly between Club Leon and San Jose Earthquakes on March 24th, 2018 at Avaya Stadium. Photo by Lyndsay Radnedge.

After having two bye weeks in MLS play in the first 4 weeks, the feeling from Magnus Eriksson is that the season starts “for real” next Saturday, when the Earthquakes welcome New York City FC to Avaya Stadium, while Club Leon will pick up Liga MX play next Saturday when they travel to Tigres UANL.