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Landon Donovan is a history maker.
After scoring his 135th and 136th goals in Major League Soccer during LA’s victory over Philadelphia on Sunday, Donovan is now the all-time leading scoring in MLS history.
It’s been a tumultuous week for the legendary figure of American soccer, with Donovan omitted from the U.S. national team for the 2014 World Cup on Thursday but then bouncing back to break Jeff Cunningham’s MLS scoring record on Sunday.
MORE: Donovan breaks MLS scoring record, ends rollercoaster week on a high
Speaking to Time Warner Cable Sportsnet straight after the game, Donovan was overcome with emotion but tried to stay calm and collected when asked about his feelings on a special night.
Here is what the man of the moment had to say.
On the ups and down of the past few days…
“It’s been an emotional three days. A lot of down and a lot of up honestly. The love I’ve received from everybody here, including when I walked out for warm-ups with signs and people staying stuff, has been amazing. And I’m really happy it ended this way for this week.”
On scoring his record-breaking 135th goal in MLS…
“It’s been a while so there are a lot of emotions. Just getting on the scoreboard again was nice. Hitting the net was nice. Getting the 135 on the back of what happened this week. It was a good feeling. It’s usually how it goes. Once you get the first one the other ones are a little easier. But like I said yesterday I felt like this form has been coming. I’ve been playing really well. I felt good in camp about how things were going. And I thought there was a goal coming soon. I wasn’t expecting it to be this soon in this game. But I was still happy I could score.”
On how important MLS is to him…
“For a long part of my childhood there was no MLS and when I started watching, it was a dream just to be a professional. So having the opportunity to play this many years and play with some wonderful teammates. Robbie [Keane] made a real concerted effort to get me a goal tonight and I’m forever indebted. And my teammates response to all of it meant a lot to me, too.”
On the support of his teammates at a difficult time…
“These are my family members, my brothers. And I could see in their eyes yesterday how hurt they were. And I’m just glad I could come back and contribute and help out.”
