09-04-2019, 02:29 AM
CARSON, Calif. Cody Bellinger Youth Jersey . -- A year after Landon Donovan returned to soccer, he realized he had lost his passion for the sport again. This time, the best player in American history decided to walk away for good. The 32-year-old Donovan announced Thursday he will retire from professional soccer at the end of the MLS season, wrapping up the most prolific career in the leagues history with one last run at a championship with the LA Galaxy. "I think for the last few years, I havent had the same passion that I had previously in my career," Donovan said at the Galaxys stadium. "To some extent, I had felt obligated to keep playing. ... Its time to enjoy the rest of the season, and there would be no better way than to go out as a champion, so thats what I want to do." Donovan is the top goal-scorer in MLS history and the top scorer in U.S. national team history, excelling as a forward and a midfielder. He was even named the most valuable player of his 14th MLS All-Star game on Wednesday night in Portland, scoring a goal in the All-Stars 2-1 win over Bayern Munich, only to make his stunning retirement announcement the next day. "All I could think is that if everyone only knew," Donovan said with a grin. Donovan, a five-time MLS champion with the Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes, made his retirement announcement on the same stage where he agreed to a multiyear contract extension with the Galaxy just a year ago, pronouncing himself revitalized after an extended sabbatical. He took several months off following the Galaxys second straight MLS Cup title alongside now-retired David Beckham in December 2012. Donovan travelled extensively during his time off, and he plans to see even more of the world after his career ends this fall. "It gets me excited thinking about it," Donovan said. "For 16 years, almost every decision Ive made, every hour of every day, has revolved around, How is this going to prepare me for tomorrows training session or tomorrows game? Just having the freedom to do whatever you want is exciting, and Im looking forward to that." Donovan has been a key component of MLS impressive growth during his 14 years in the top North American league. After he struggled for playing time at Bayer Leverkusen as a teenager, he chose to pursue a pro career in his native California instead of Europe, adding a marquee attraction to the then-struggling league. "There is no doubt that Major League Soccer would not be what it is today without Landon Donovan," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. "His decision to join MLS in 2001 was a statement to the entire soccer community, at the most crucial time in our history, that MLS could be a league of choice for the best American players. Landon is to MLS what Michael Jordan was to the NBA, Wayne Gretzky was to the NHL and Tiger Woods was to the PGA Tour: a player whose sporting accomplishments and popularity transformed their respective leagues and set a new standard for how the game would be played." Donovan said his decision wasnt spurred by his omission from his fourth U.S. World Cup team this summer. He was surprised and disappointed by coach Jurgen Klinsmanns decision, feeling he had done enough in training camp to warrant inclusion. "I certainly wasnt going to allow one persons poor choice this summer to affect a decision like this," Donovan said. Donovan is the career U.S. leader with 57 international goals over 156 appearances, and he has scored five World Cup goals, including his famed stoppage-time goal against Algeria four years ago to send the Americans to the second round. He watched the American team in Brazil from afar as a television commentator. "Quite simply the best player ever to wear the USMNT jersey," U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati posted on his Twitter account. Donovan has no concrete plans for his long-term future in soccer, but he is eager to work with young players in the Galaxys academy training program. "Landons legacy is secure with the Galaxy," said Galaxy President Chris Klein, Donovans former teammate and roommate. "So to be able to celebrate that for the rest of the year in terms of how he goes out will be great. When he decides what it is that he wants to do and where he wants to put his heart and energy next, well be there to talk about that." Donovan has played for the Galaxy since 2005, also going on loan to Everton and Bayern Munich during the Galaxys off-season. Donovan struggled early in his pro career in Europe, but was popular during his two stints with Everton. "Congratulations on a great career to (at)landondonovan as he announces hell retire later this year. Part of EFC fabric," Everton tweeted from its official account. Donovan has four goals and seven assists in 17 games for the Galaxy this season as a midfielder and a forward. He passed Jeff Cunningham for the career MLS goals record shortly after Klinsmann excluded him from the World Cup team. His absence creates another hole for the LA club, which couldnt manage a third straight MLS title last season in its first year since Beckhams departure. But Donovans retirement opens up a designated player spot for the Galaxy alongside leading scorer Robbie Keane and U.S. national team defender Omar Gonzalez. After a lifetime spent in practices and games, Donovan sees his departure as another step in his personal evolution into whatever person he decides to be outside soccer. His decision to leave the Bundesliga for MLS as an unhappy teenager was unpopular, and Donovan knows many fans wont understand his early retirement. "Sometimes theres a sense of obligation in peoples lives, the sense that you have to do something," Donovan said. "Ive never lived that way. I have to live the life I want to live, and thats an important thing to go by." Babe Herman Womens Jersey . The South Africa international, who rejoined the club last month on loan from Tottenham, opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a powerful shot into the roof of the net. Enrique Hernandez Dodgers Jersey . -- Michael Frazier II scored 21 points, Dorian Finney-Smith added 11 and No. http://www.ladodgersprostore.us/Mike-Pia...rs-jersey/ . -- Houstons All-Star tandem of James Harden and Dwight Howard refused to let the Rockets give in to fatigue.SAN FRANCISCO -- Tramaine Brock is kicking himself for not having a third interception. He came oh so close. "I wanted it," he said. The San Francisco 49ers turned a prime-time showdown into an all-out pick party at The Stick. Brock perfectly read Matt Schaubs first pass of the night, jumped in front for an interception and ran 18 yards for a touchdown just 90 seconds into the game, setting the tone for a stellar defensive performance in a 34-3 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday night. Things only got better for Brock and San Francisco, and worse for Houstons beleaguered quarterback. Schaub threw three interceptions in all before being replaced in the fourth -- but coach Gary Kubiak said afterward Schaub would remain his starter, for now. "Its a broken record right now. It looked the same," Kubiak said. "Hopefully, thats rock bottom tonight." Colin Kaepernick tossed a 64-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis and Frank Gore ran for 81 yards and a score in his second straight impressive prime-time game. The 49ers (3-2) are right back in the NFC West race with Seattle after the Seahawks (4-1) lost at Indianapolis. Each team has beaten the Texans (2-3) and lost to the Colts, and Seattle still must visit San Francisco on Dec. 8. Anthony Dixon added a 2-yard touchdown run for the NFC champions, while Brock had a second interception and nearly a third. Kaepernick went 6 for 15 with 113 yards as the 49ers won their second straight in emphatic fashion following the first two-game losing streak under third-year coach Jim Harbaugh. Kaepernick completed four of his first six passes, then threw seven straight incompletions before connecting with Bruce Miller early in the fourth quarter and then Davis TD. After being outscored 56-10 in the back-to-back losses against Seattle and Indianapolis, the 49ers have overwhelmed their opponents 69-14 over the last two games. "Were the 49ers. When were on, we can do whatever we want to do," Gore said. "Thats probably the best front weve gone through all season, and up front our O-line did the job. If its smash-mouth football, well do it." Brocks ball-hawking defence was a big reason in this one. "Thats what were striving for, turnovers," he said. "We got them. I just did my job and tried to step up." He ran his initial interception back 18 yards for his first career pick six, then gained 13 yards on his second pick midway through the second quarter. That set up Dixons second TD of the year. "He made huge plays," Harbaugh said. "It was great to see Tramaine do that. He was in perfect position, playing coverage perfectly on the first play." Brock said he just stuck with his technique and read both Schaub and wide receiver Andre Johnson. Brock nearly had a third late in the first half but was called for defensive pass interference, and rookie safety Eric&nnbsp;Reid dropped a would-be interception right at him late in the third. Fernando Valenzuela Dodgers Jersey. Even fringe defensive lineman Tony Jerod-Eddie -- an injury replacement for Ray McDonald -- got in on the interception fun in the third quarter. Schaubs nightmare, monthlong stretch continued when he threw his first pass of the game for a pick-6, giving the beleaguered Texans quarterback an interception returned for a TD in four straight games. On the next drive, Randy Bullock hooked a 45-yard field goal try wide left -- and the 49ers capitalized afterward again with Gores touchdown late in the first quarter. Bullock produced the Texans lone points with a 41-yard field goal in the third. "Theres a snowball effect. We couldnt get anything going, and when we did, we hurt ourselves," Schaub said. "We stopped ourselves." Missing three key defenders for the second straight game, San Franciscos opportunistic D didnt flinch and kept the penalties in check after early season problems with flags. All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis sat out a second straight game with a groin injury that also kept him out at St. Louis on Sept. 26, and the Niners also missed linebacker Aldon Smith again as he undergoes treatment for substance abuse. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is still nursing a knee injury. Gore followed up his 153-yard performance in a 35-11 road rout of the Rams with another solid night. "Once I get going, its hard to stop me," Gore said. Schaub wound up 19 of 35 for 173 yards and a sack in the Texans third straight loss, which came on the heels of a 23-20 overtime loss at home to San Francisco archrival Seattle last week. Houston has its first three-game skid since the end of 2011. Fans in Texas were already furious and burning his jersey -- and theres a sign over one freeway calling for Schaubs ouster. This certainly wont help matters as supporters call for backup T.J. Yates. In a stadium set to be imploded after the season, Schaub himself imploded. He could be seen muttering to himself with a shell-shocked expression walking off the field as Kubiak buried his face in his hands. Kubiak turned to Yates in the fourth quarter and Ben Tate lost a fumble on Yates second play, with San Franciscos Tarell Brown recovering. The 49ers, who had lost their last two Sunday night games both to the Seahawks, amassed 177 yards rushing with five different players each making a run of 11 or more yards. San Franciscos 21-point halftime lead matched its biggest under Harbaugh. Notes: Texans TE Owen Daniels made six receptions for 60 yards, giving him at least one catch in 88 straight regular-season games. ... McDonald sustained a biceps injury in the second half that ended his night. ... The Texans led 159-135 in total yards at halftime. ... Texans DE Antonio Smith saw the end to his streak of four straight regular-season games with at least a half-sack. ' ' '