Donovan strikes, Club Leon triumphs
Former Quake lifts Mexican side to victory in friendly
SAN JOSE >> Landon Donovan returned to his roots — and his instincts Saturday night.
The former Earthquakes star scored the only goal — a shot that left San Jose captain Chris Wondolowski in awe — as Club Leon won an exhibition 1-0 at Avaya Stadium.
Donovan, 36, got a warm welcome in a return to San Jose while making his first start for Club Leon of Mexico’s premier league. The biggest name in U.S. soccer did what he always seems to do: score goals. His 19th-minute shot proved the difference in front of 14,532 fans.
“What a turn, what a hit,” said Wondolowski, who is 10 goals behind Donovan in Major League Soccer’s all-time scoring list. “It’s a half chance.”
He and Wondolowski exchanged jerseys after the game,
a historic moment as the prolific goal scorers are perhaps the club’s biggest names in the MLS era.
Donovan, hoped not to hear too many boos 13 years after he left San Jose for archrival L.A. Galaxy.
But more important was showing Leon coaches he deserves more playing time after ending retirement two months ago to sign with a Liga MX team for a reported $3 million.
The goal came after the midfielder got the ball on the edge of the circle when it bounced off Quakes defender Nick Lima. Donovan placed the ball just inside the left corner as goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell seemed caught off guard.
“It’s pretty instinctive,”
Donovan said. “I just turned and hit it. I wasn’t exactly sure where I was on the field. When you shoot good things happen.”
Donovan wasn’t sure what kind of reception he’d get because some fans remain upset about his departure in 2005 after the player led the Quakes to two MLS Cups in his four years here.
Worse, Donovan orchestrated a move to San Jose’s biggest rival. Some fans have called him “Judas” ever since. He spoke Friday for the first time about wanting to be with his family in Southern California because he was “in a bad place.”
Many San Jose fans have forgiven the trespass over time as Donovan became the country’s biggest international star.
“He’s probably the biggest American striker talked about in Sweden,”
newcomer Magnus Eriksson said.
After three World Cup appearances and 57 international goals, Donovan is established worldwide.
“Everyone in this locker room is fortunate to have been with him,” midfielder Tommy Thompson said. “The way he thinks the game through you can tell. He is going to continue to influence U.S. soccer going forward.”
Although it was a meaningless friendly, Donovan got a taste of a much-improved MLS since he retired two years ago after leading the Galaxy to four Cups.
The quality, Donovan said, is way better.
Even the Quakes, who played Saturday without starters Anibal Godoy and Harold Cummings (Panama) and Valeri Qazaishvili (Georgia).
The game proved a nice
scrimmage for coach Mikael Stahre’s team after two games in the young MLS season. Leon is seventh in the Mexican league’s second season that ends in May.
The Mexicans play a similar style to San Jose’s next MLS opponent, New York City FC.
Stahre liked his team’s start when the Earthquakes sent three good chances over the crossbar.
In the seventh minute, Ericksson’s open left-footer sailed over the net.
Quincy Amarikwa failed to convert from six yards out in the 13th minute after Lima’s nicely placed serve from the right side landed at the striker’s feet.
Then it was Wondolowski’s turn four minutes after Donovan’s goal. But the Quakes captain failed to give the evening a tidy narrative when his open shot went too high.