10 things you need to know about Landon Donovan

4) Bayer Leverkusen eventually granted Donovan his wish to return to the MLS permanently in 2005 when, due to the extraordinarily complicated draft system, he was snapped up by LA Galaxy. He promptly won his third Championship in his first season - rattling in another 14 goals in the process - although he hasn't added to that tally since

5) A prolific goalscorer, he averages better than one every other game for the Galaxy and is ranked 6th in the league's all-time lists for regular season strikes - and number 1 for play-off goals. Here are 20 of his best:

6) He's something of a free-kick specialist and has a reputation of a penalty taker of note. Although Everton fans beware: before the 2009 MLS Cup Final against Real Salt Lake, Landon boasted to ESPN Radio about his spot kick technique and record. And then, wouldn't you know it, this happened in the final's shoot-out...

7) This year's disappointment notwithstanding, Donovan must still have the biggest mantelpiece in the MLS. In 2004 he became the first man to be named US Soccer Athlete of the Year two years running (he bagged it again in 2009), is the only plater to have won the Honda Player of the Year (awarded to the best player on the USA football team) six times, was named the MLS Most Valuable Player in 2009, featured in the MLS Bext XI three times (2003, 2008 and 2009), and has also won the MLS Golden Boot (2008) and goal of the year (2009), for this beauty:

8) His international record is impeccable. After being named player of the tournament at the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championships, Donovan made his full debut on October 25, 2000, scoring against Mexico. He is the USA's leading all-time scorer, with 42 goals from 120 caps, and was named Best Young Player at the 2002 World Cup. He's also got three CONCACAF Gold Cup winners' medals (from 2002, 2005 and 2007).

9) He married American TV star Bianca Kajlich in December 2006. Unfortunately he separated from the Rules of Engagement star in 2009.

10) Never one to hold back with his opinions, Donovan was particularly outspoken when David Beckham rocked up at the Home Depot Center. He infamously told Sports Illustrated: "When David first came, I believed he was committed to what he was doing. But somewhere along the way he just flipped a switch and said "Uh-uh, I'm not doing it any more. My sense is that David thinks it's a joke. 'I can't even say he's a good teammate any more." They're friends now, but expect some fireworks when England line-up against the USA in South Africa on  June 12, 2010.

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