19 January 2008 - Donovan Takes The Lead

On 19 January 2008, a penalty kick against Sweden made Landon Donovan the all-time scoring leader for the US men's team.

Since making his first appearance in 2000, the forward/midfielder had already become the team's all-time leader in assists, passing Cobi Jones for that honor in 2006. By January 2008, he had scored a total of 34 goals, including key strikes in the 2002 World Cup and several Gold Cup competitions, to match the record set by Eric Wynalda from 1990 to 2000.

Playing a friendly against Sweden at the Home Depot Center in California, the US went up 1-0 with a 15th-minute goal from debutant Eddie Robinson. Then, just after the break, Swedish center back Mattias Bjärsmyr committed a foul in the box against US forward Jozy Altidore. Donovan stepped up and converted the ensuing penalty kick to claim sole possession of the goalscoring record. The US went on to win the match 2-0.

Donovan has continued to add to his total and currently has extended the record to 46. It remain well behind the record for the women's team, however, set at 158 by Mia Hamm from 1987 to 2004.

(Photo credit to Kirby Lee, US Presswire.)

8 November 2007 - Ruud Rules The Galaxy

On 8 November 2007, Ruud Gullit took over as head coach of the LA Galaxy, becoming the highest-paid manager in MLS history. But his tenure lasted just over nine months.

Gullit, the 1987 Ballon d'Or winner who starred as a player for PSV Eindhoven and AC Milan, had a checkered past as a manager, with short spells at Chelsea (1996-98), Newcastle (1998-99), and Feyenoord (2004-05) all ending in disappointment. He had been out of football for two years before joining the Galaxy, noting in his initial press conference that "Just a week ago I was on holiday in the Dominican Republic when I was asked if I would like this job, so it's happened very quickly." Nevertheless, LA signed him to a 3-year contract worth $2 million per year, the highest salary of any MLS manager up to that point.

It was later revealed that the decision to hire Gullit originated from the camp of newly-signed David Beckham, via his personal manager Terry Byrne and his management company, 19 Entertainment, bypassing the club's general manager, Alexi Lalas.

It did not take long for things to start falling apart. In January 2008, on Gullit's personal recommendation, the Galaxy signed Newcastle left back Celestine Babayaro to a 3-year deal. But the club waived him two months later after the Nigerian international proved unable or unwilling to adapt to his new surroundings. He had made only one appearance for the Galaxy, a preseason friendly against FC Seoul in which he conceded a penalty and received a yellow card in only 45 minutes of playing time. Gullit's relationship with other players--including Abel Xavier, Peter Vagenas, and star Landon Donovan--soured and the club's performances began to suffer as well. They endured a seven-match winless streak that culminated with Gullit's resignation on 11 August 2008.

In January 2011, Gullit returned to management, signing a 1.5-year contract with Russian Premier League club Terek Grozny, but was sacked just six months later after winning only three matches.

26 July 2003 - Convey's First Was Good Enough For Third

On 26 July 2003, winger Bobby Convey scored his first and only international goal to lift the United States over Costa Rica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup's third-place match.

Although he was only 20 years old at the time, Convey had already developed a resume full of potential. He joined DC United in 2000, making him the youngest signing in MLS, then earned his first full international cap that same year. By the time he played against Costa Rica in the Gold Cup, he was captain of the U20s and had played in all but one of the senior side's matches that year.

The US had advanced to the semifinals in the tournament, but lost to Brazil 2-1 in extra time. That put them into the third-place match against Costa Rica, who had been eliminated by Mexico. Playing at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Costa Rica took a 2-1 first-half lead with a brace from striker Rolando Fonseca (24', 39') sandwiched around a goal from US defender Carlos Bocanegra (29').

But the Yanks rallied in the second half, drawing level with a 56th-minute strike from midfielder Earnie Stewart, then taking the lead 11 minutes later. The match-winner started with Landon Donovan, who split the defense with a perfect ball. Convey latched on to it and fired it home with a left-footed blast from the edge of the penalty area.

Convey went on to earn a total of 46 caps between 2000 and 2008, but never scored another international goal.

18 June 2010 - The Comeback Kids Strike Again

On 18 June 2010, the United States scored twice in the second half to salvage a 2-2 draw after falling behind to Slovenia in the group stage of the World Cup.

The US had already rescued a point in their first match, equalizing against England to earn a 1-1 draw, while Slovenia claimed the group's top spot with a win over Algeria. The Slovenians looked certain to hold on to their position when they took a 2-0 lead in the first half with goals from winger Valter Birsa (13') and forward Zlatan Ljubijankič (42').

But, as they had in the first match, the US displayed a combination of determination and resilience. They came out firing in the second half and were rewarded when Landon Donovan surged into the Slovenian box in the 48th minute and blasted the ball into the roof of the net from close range to close the gap to 2-1. The US continued to press for an equalizer and found it in the 82nd minute when a header from forward Jozy Altidore dropped for midfielder Michael Bradley, who then chipped it over the Slovenian keeper.

As improbable as the comeback had been, the US came close to winning it a few minutes later when substitute midfielder Maurice Edu put the ball in the back of the net. But the referee disallowed the goal for reasons that remain unexplained. Still, the point for the draw proved critical for the US, who were tied England on points at the end of the first round, but won the group by virtue of goals scored.

23 June 2010 - The Yanks Aren't Dead Yet

On 23 June 2010, Landon Donovan's 91st-minute goal saved the United States from a first-round elimination and won them the top spot in their World Cup group.

The US had opened the tournament with a 1-1 draw against England, followed by a 2-2 draw with Slovenia. In both matches, the Yanks had surrendered early leads and had to claw their way back to earn a point. Against England, they went down 1-0 to a 4th-minute goal from Steven Gerrard before Clint Dempsey's speculative shot in the 40th minute slipped through the hands of keeper Rob Green to level the sides. Against Slovenia, the US were down 2-0 at the break before goals from Donovan (48') and Michael Bradley (82') earned them the draw. They appeared to get a late winner when Maurice Edu struck the ball home off of a Donovan free kick, but the referee disallowed the goal.

Against Algeria in the group's last match, the US managed to avoid giving up an early goal, but struggled to find one of their own. Playing before a crowd of 35,827 at Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld Stadium, the teams battled to a scoreless draw for 90 minutes. Had that result stood, both the US and Algeria would have been eliminated.

But in the first minute of stoppage time, US keeper Tim Howard threw the ball upfield to Donovan, who raced forward and passed it to forward Jozy Altidore in the Algerian box. Altidore crossed the ball in for Dempsey, but the Algerian keeper, Raïs M'Bolhi, beat Dempsey to the ball and batted it away. It fell at the feet of a surging Donovan, who fired it home for the win.

In the Round of 16, the US again fell victim to an early goal and were eliminated by Ghana, 1-2 (aet).

19 January 2008 - The Man With The Golden Boot

On 19 January 2008, Landon Donovan became the US national team's all-time leading scorer with a penalty kick against Sweden.

Donovan, who played his first full international in 2000, was already the team's all-time assist leader, having passed his LA Galaxy teammate Cobi Jones for that honor in 2006. And in 2007, he tied Eric Wynalda's scoring record of 34 goals in dramatic fashion, converting a 62nd-minute penalty kick to equalize against Mexico in the Gold Cup Final as the US went on to win 2-1.

The match against Sweden was a friendly, played at the Galaxy's Home Depot Center in Carson, California as both teams geared up for their World Cup 2010 qualifying campaigns. Defender Eddie Robinson, in his first international appearance, drove a shot home from a rebound in the 15th minute to put the hosts up 1-0. Then, in the 48th minute, the referee awarded the US a penalty kick when Sweden's Mattias Bjarsmyr fouled US forward Jozy Altidore in the box. Donovan stepped up and converted the spot kick for his record 35th goal.

Donovan's goal tally currently stands at 45, including 3 scored at the 2010 World Cup.

5 June 2002 - Both Teams Were Generous To A Fault

On 5 June 2002, the United States opened their World Cup campaign with a shocking 3-2 win over Portugal at South Korea's Suwon World Cup Stadium. It was the Yanks' only win in the group stage, but was enough to see them through to the knockout rounds, while Portugal failed to advance.

Going into the tournament, Portugal were heavy favorites to win the group, which in addition to the United States also included South Korea and Poland. But the US shook their confidence early when midfielder John O'Brien (pictured) scored in the 4th minute from a corner kick. Portugal then shot themselves in the foot with a 30th-minute own goal from star center back Jorge Costa, who deflected a Landon Donovan shot off of his shoulder and into the net. Six minutes later, striker Brian McBride extended the lead to 3-0 with a header.

The Portuguese, however, fought back. Defender Beto scored a 39th-minute goal, then their constant pressure in the second half resulted in an own goal from US defender Jeff Agoos in the 71st minute. But they could not find the needed equalizer and finished with a 3-2 loss.

Portugal beat Poland 4-0, but lost to South Korea 0-1 to finish third. The US drew with eventual group winners South Korea, then lost to Poland to finish second and advance to the knockout rounds. They proceeded to enjoy their best run in a World Cup since 1930, advancing to the quarterfinals, where they lost 1-0 to Germany.

4 March 1982 - The United States' Sunshine Superman

On 4 March 1982, United States captain and record goalscorer Landon Donovan was born in Ontario, California. In addition to being the national team's all-time scoring leader, he also leads the team in assists and has made the most international appearances of any active US player.

In 1997, at the age of 15, the striker/midfielder joined the United States Youth Development Program, subsequently moving to the IMG Soccer Academy in 1999. Later that year, he signed a youth contract with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. He eventually signed a senior contract with the German club lasting from 2001 to 2005, but never settled in, leading to criticism that Donovan was too soft for European competition. He spent the majority of his contract years on loan in the US, first to the San Jose Earthquakes (2001-04), then to the Los Angeles Galaxy (2005-current).

After starring for the US national team youth sides, Donovan debuted for the senior side on 25 October 2000 in a friendly against Mexico, scoring the opening goal in the 2-0 win. He displayed impressive form in the Americans' run to the quarterfinals in the 2002 World Cup, being named the tournament's best young player.

Donovan has enjoyed record-setting success with the national team. On 11 April 2006, Donovan notched his 23rd assist in a 1-1 friendly with Jamaica, moving him past Cobi Jones as the US assist leader. And on 19 January 2008, he scored with a penalty kick against Sweden to pass Eric Wynalda as the national team's highest goalscorer on his way to his current tally of 42 goals in 120 appearances, the most caps of any active US international.

21 October 2001 - San Jose Knows The Way

On 21 October 2001, the San Jose Earthquakes claimed their first MLS honors, coming from behind to defeat the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 in the MLS Cup Final before a crowd of 21,626 at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Los Angeles went ahead in the 21st minute as Galaxy defender Greg Vanney beat the San Jose defense with a 40-yard pass to forward Luis Hernandez. Hernandez received the pass just inside the San Jose 18-yard box and sent a strong right-footed shot past 'Quakes keeper Joe Cannon.

San Jose equalized in the 43rd minute, as forward Landon Donovan ran onto a loose ball in the Galaxy's penalty area and first-touched a powerful shot past Galaxy keeper Kevin Hartman.

The two sides played to a stalemate through the remainder of regulation, taking the match into overtime. In the 6th minute of overtime, San Jose forward Dwayne DeRosario (pictured)--who had come on as a substitute in the 85th minute--hit a curling shot from the top of the box. It caromed off the right post and into the net past Hartman's outstretched hands, giving San Jose the sudden-death victory.

It was the only match all season in which the Earthquakes had come from behind to win and only the second MLS Cup Final to be decided in overtime.

24 July 2007 - Not To Be Confused With The Danish Top Flight

On 24 July 2007, the first two matches of the inaugural SuperLiga competition were played in California and Texas.

Intended to be a smaller North American version of the UEFA Champions League, the competition includes US and Canadian teams from MLS, as well as teams from Mexico's Primera División, drawing four teams from each league. The teams play a group stage with two 4-team groups. The top two teams from each group then advance to the knockout stages, which consist of the semi-finals and the final.

For the inaugural tournament, the teams were chosen by invitation. MLS selected DC United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, and LA Galaxy, while the Primera División chose Monarcas Morelia, Pachuca, América, and Guadalajara. In those first matches, FC Dallas drew 1-1 with Guadalajara, while the Galaxy defeated Pachuca 2-1 with an 81st minute matchwinner from Landon Donovan.

Both LA and Pachuca advanced from their group and faced each other again in the Final, where Pachuca got their revenge, winning on penalties 1-1 (3-4).

24 June 2007 - It Must Have Been One Heck Of A Halftime Speech

On 24 June 2007, the United States successfully defended their 2006 CONCACAF Gold Cup title, defeating Mexico in the 2007 Final before a crowd of 60,000 at Chicago's Soldier Field.

The 2007 tournament was the ninth Gold Cup competition, which includes teams from the CONCACAF regions of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The North American teams dominated the group stage, with only two losses among them. Both the United States and Canada finished at the top of their groups, with Mexico finishing second to Honduras in its group on goal differential.

In the knockout stages, the United States advanced to the Final with victories over Panama (2-1) and Canada (2-1), while Mexico secured its spot with wins over Costa Rica (1-0, a.e.t.) and Guadeloupe (1-0).

Both sides played aggressively, with El Tri dictating a fast pace. The United States struggled defensively in the first half and paid the price in the 44th minute as Nery Castillo placed a perfect cross for Andrés Guardado, who slammed the ball into the roof of the net.

The US came out after the break with even more energy. They equalized in the 66th minute, as forward Brian Ching was pulled down in the box by Jonny Magallón and US captain Landon Donovan drilled the ensuing spot kick home. Mexican keeper Oswaldo Sanchez played well, but was eventually beaten in the 73rd minute by a thunderous game-winning volley from US midfielder Benny Feilhaber.

It was the United States' fourth Gold Cup trophy, which tied them with Mexico for total Gold Cup titles. As winners, the US earned a spot in the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa.