EAST HARTFORD, Conn. —
The end finally arrived for Landon Donovan four minutes before halftime. He saw his number flash at midfield, said his goodbyes to his teammates and then exited at the halfway line for the last time.
Donovan made his 157th and final appearance for the United States men's national team in Friday's 1-1 draw with Ecuador at Rentschler Field. His 41-minute spell was the highlight of what turned out to be an open friendly.
Donovan’s teammates did all they could to make Mix Diskerud’s fifth-minute opener stand and send him off with a victory, but a lax second half ultimately cost them a victory. Enner Valencia produced a stunning goal just two minutes from time to provide Ecuador with the riposte required to dampen the proceedings.
This appearance marked the last act in Donovan's 15-year international career. He steps away as the all-time leading scorer (57 goals) after a fruitful and productive spell including three World Cup appearances and a host of memories — both good and bad — along the way.
The bright start and the final stages of the encounter will give U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann plenty to ponder over the next few days as he prepares his side for Tuesday's friendly against Honduras in Boca Raton, Fla.
Diskerud provided the Americans with the perfect start to the celebrations with his opener inside the first five minutes. Donovan played a deep ball to the back post. DeAndre Yedlin, deployed on the right side of midfield with Timothy Chandler selected at right back, claimed it and slotted a clever ball back toward the top of the penalty area. Diskerud met it with a low drive to secure the early advantage.
The early exchanges mostly favored the Americans, though an injury to Joe Gyau (sprained left knee) reduced them to 10 men for several minutes. Bobby Wood replaced him and the Americans eventually placed the Ecuadorians under threat.
Donovan missed a glorious chance to cap his final appearance with a goal after 25 minutes. Jozy Altidore provided him with a tidy ball to play him in behind the line. Donovan turned well, but his low effort hit the far post instead of the back of the net. His reaction after Ecuador finally cleared — a hands on his head moment while lying prone on the field — said it all.
Renato Ibarra forced a fine save from the onrushing Brad Guzan after the Americans were exposed on the counter, but most of the remainder of the first half focused on Donovan’s eventual departure. He finally left the scene four minutes before halftime with a hearty series of handshakes, a clap to the crowd and a hug for replacement Joe Corona.
More substitutions disrupted the proceedings early in the second half as the match stretched out and both teams tried to exploit the inevitable space. Juan Cazares and Wood both flashed efforts wide of the frame at either end, while Chandler saw his penalty appeals waved away as he tumbled inside the penalty area inside the final 20 minutes.
Ecuador huffed and puffed in the late stages and received its reward just two minutes from time. Valencia collected a Christian Noboa pass and then uncorked a dipping, 30-yard effort past the faultless Guzan to give his side a share of the spoils.
