Enner Valenica’s Golazo Spoils Landon Donovan’s Farewell

It was almost a storybook ending for Landon Donovan tonight. He nearly scored twice in the almost 40 minutes he played, and contributed in the buildup to the goal that took the lead. However, Ecuador’s Enner Valencia had other plans.

As Landon Donovan wore the number 10 out of the tunnel for one final time, the scene around Rentschler Field was unreal, topped off by Sunil Gulati presenting Donovan with a framed shirt made of the various jerseys over the years. The national anthem played, sang aloud by the US supporters, and chills filled the stadium.

Donovan’s 157th cap was started by quick US attacking play, led by Mix Diskerud in the midfield. From the opening kick Diskerud was linking up with others and making runs into space, almost like a certain other number 8 for the USMNT. He was rewarded in the 5th minute when he finished a one timer with perfection. After solid defending by Timmy Chandler and Greg Garza, Landon Donovan broke forward on the charge and sailed a cross in that was touched by Jozy Altidore and gathered by DeAndre Yedlin; Yedlin then laid the ball off for Diskerud who finished.

The US were up 1-0 inside of 5 minutes, LD was shining, and Jurgen Klinsmann’s attacking football mindset was looking pretty good. Three minutes after the initial goal, the man of the hour had a chance to double the lead. Joe Gyau made a cut inside and his cross was finished off with a header from Donovan that was tipped away by the goalkeeper.

Jozy Altidore put his shot wide in the 17th minute, and the US had to bring on Bobby Wood for Gyau, due to a knee injury. It seemed like Donovan was about to get his fairy tale ending in the 24th minute when he had an open shot on goal. A beautiful through ball from Altidore freed up Donovan who beat the ‘keeper, but had his shot hit the right post. He was a few inches from the perfect ending. Just this much.

Donovan had a final chance on goal in the 37th minute. He sent Altidore into the box with a pass, that was then returned and brought down by Donovan at the top of the box, however, his shot was just wide of the far post. And 4 minutes later, the greatest American to play the game was taken off one last time. Chants of “thank you Landon” rang around the stadium as Donovan handed the armband to Jozy Altidore, fully closing the book on his international career.

Substitutions galore caused the US rhythm to fall off in the second half. A new center back pair of Omar Gonzalez and Tim Ream came on in the 62nd minute and Jozy Altidore gave way to Chris Wondolowski in the 76th minute. Ecuador took advantage of the shakeups and played their best in the final 20 minutes of the game, bombing away at the US goal.

The US defense withheld the attack for much of the final few minutes, but finally leaked in the 88th minute. World Cup star striker Enner Valencia was in acres of space 25 yards out and sent an act of what some would call witchcraft past Brad Guzan. The shot had a knuckle action that looked as if RA Dickey was on the other end of it, Guzan had no shot at stopping it.

Bobby Wood had a chance at winning the match in stoppage time for the Yanks, but squandered his opportunity. His pressure on the defense forced a turnover, but he dribbled all the way into the 6 yard box before fully committing to a pass to Wondo. The pass was ultimately cut out, and nothing came of the chance, leaving the US with a 1-1 draw. Wood really should have taken the shot for himself, but that will come with experience.

Other than Landon Donovan, Mix Diskerud was very impressive tonight. He played a box to box game with the flair and “personality” that Klinsmann wanted to see. He created numerous chances and linked up well with others; the young Norwegian-American is sure to be a playmaker in this cycle if he keeps this up. Greg Garza was also impressive at the left back spot. He took full advantage of the opportunity to start the match, and defended very well, he also came forward with intelligence.

The USMNT will face Honduras in Boca Raton, FL on Tuesday.

Oct 10, 2014; Hartford, CT, USA; USA forward Landon Donovan (10) on the field against Ecuador in the first half at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports