Landon Donovan to retire at end of MLS season

Less than 24 hours after he scored the winning goal at the MLS All-Star Game, Landon Donovan took to social media to announce that he'll be hanging up the cleats once the 2014 MLS season is complete.

Per Donovan's Facebook page:

After careful deliberation and after many conversations with those closest to me, I have decided that this will be my last season as a professional soccer player.

I don't write these words lightly and this day carries mixed emotions for me. I am sad to leave a profession that has brought me so much joy. I will miss all of the teammates who helped me create so many incredible memories on-the-field, and who I have shared many wonderful experiences with off-the-field. I will miss my coaches, at both the club and national team levels, who have helped me develop throughout my career and helped make me the player I am today. However, after spending half my life as a professional soccer player, I also am excited to begin a new chapter and pursue other opportunities that will challenge me and allow me to grow as a person.

There are so many people I want to thank who have inspired me, guided me and helped me on this incredible journey. I simply could not have accomplished what I did during my playing career without an overwhelming amount of support from my family, my friends and many others. I plan to express my gratitude to everyone in a more detailed manner at a later date; however, for now, I want to single out the fans. You are the lifeblood of this sport and, without you, none of us would be fortunate to call ourselves professional soccer players in MLS.

I feel incredibly blessed and lucky to have played a role in the remarkable growth of MLS and US Soccer during my playing career. And while my career as a player will soon be over, rest assured I will stay connected on many levels to the beautiful game.

As we enter a transformative time for the sport, I will do everything I can to help the continued growth of soccer in the United States. I look forward to making a difference, pursuing my passions and meeting all of you along the way in this next phase of my life.

With gratitude,

Landon

Donovan, who was omitted from the United States' World Cup squad earlier this summer, will be closing the door on a football career unparalleled by any another American player. He played in three consecutive World Cups between 2002 and 2010, won 156 international caps - only surpassed by Cobi Jones' 164 - and scored a U.S. record 57 international goals.

None of those goals, however, were as big as the one against Algeria that clinched the U.S. a spot in the round of 16 at the 2010 World Cup.

At the club level, Donovan is arguably the greatest player in MLS history. The 32-year-old is the league's all-time scoring leader with 138 goals and his 124 assists rank second to Steve Ralston (start sending more through ball, Landon). And remember, there's still time for Donovan to build on those numbers.

Since Donovan made the major announcement, there's obviously been a massive outpouring of support from the American soccer community among others.

Based off that last part about doing "everything I can to help the continued growth of soccer in the United States," it doesn't sound like we've seen the last of Donovan on the pitch.