LA Galaxy forward handed award after scoring five, with seven assists in the competition.
Landon Donovan has been awarded the Golden Ball after his five goals and seven assists helped the USA lift the Gold Cup trophy on Sunday. The 31-year-old’s goal haul equalled that of compatriot Chris Wondolowski and Panamanian Gabriel Torres, but his seven assists won him the accolade and confirmed the LA Galaxy striker as the tournament’s outstanding player.
Donovan has played in six Gold Cups, winning the competition four times, but this is the first time he has won the award. His five goals in this tournament pushed him to 18 in total, putting him six clear in the Gold Cup leading goal-scorers table, having scored in every Gold Cup he’s played in.
The impressive Galaxy forward had returned to the national team after an 11-month absence, forcing his way back into boss Jurgen Klinsmann’s plans after a four month sabbatical from football.
This break seems to have done wonders for Donovan, and his rekindled enjoyment of the game has shown in his performances.
“I’m really proud to be a part of what we’ve been through,” Donova told MLS Soccer.
“As I get older, the things that matter to me are winning. When you look around and you see young kids holding the trophy and experiencing something for the first time, it makes me really happy.”
COMMENTS