San Diego

Landon Donovan to Join MASL's San Diego Sockers

Landon Donovan, the tied record-holder for all-time U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) goals and assists, will return to professional soccer with the San Diego Sockers in 2019, a source confirmed to NBC7SportsWrap.

The Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) team is set to make the announcement on Thursday at the Sockers' home field at Pechanga Arena. A press release said the San Diego Sockers would announce "a player signing of significant importance." 

Donovan, widely regarded as one of the best American players of all time, has spent the majority of two decades in professional soccer. The six-time MLS Cups champion also holds the record for most consecutive MLS All-Star games. 

He got his professional start in Germany before playing with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2001, where he led the team to their first-ever MLS Cup. Donovan next joined his hometown club, the Los Angeles Galaxy until his first retirement in 2014. 

The All-Star has competed in the U.S. Olympics with the Men's National Team and is a three-time FIFA World Cup veteran.  

In the past, Donovan has said he’s a huge fan of the San Diego Sockers, and grew up watching the team – even more closely than Galaxy or DC United.

Donovan semi-retired from professional soccer again in 2016 has spent nearly two years working with FS Investors to advocate for a proposal that was intended to bring a Major League Soccer (MLS) team to San Diego.

The proposal on the November 2018 ballot failed to garner enough support from voters. 

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