Landon Donovan reportedly to come out of retirement to play for L.A. Galaxy

Roger Clemens, Brett Favre, Michael Jordan … Landon Donovan?

In another sure sign that soccer has already arrived stateside, it may now have a retirement/un-retirement flip-flop by a superstar of the sport of its own. Just like any self-respecting major sport in this country.

Donovan, the all-time leading scorer for the United States men’s national team and Major League Soccer, retired after the 2014 MLS season after winning a sixth MLS Cup. He was 32 at the time and cited motivational issues, an eagerness to start a family and live a regular life, and a history of depression and his struggles with it also explained his early-ish departure from the game after 16 years as a professional.

But on Thursday, rumors swirled that he would be returning to rejoin the injury-plagued Los Angeles Galaxy — his club from 2005 through 2014 — for the remainder of the season. 

	Blake Thomsen @blakecthomsen
Hearing from multiple sources that @landondonovan is close to coming out of retirement to rejoin @lagalaxy for remainder of season 9:14 AM - 8 Sep 2016
Kevin Baxter @kbaxter11 Yes @landondonovan is returning to the #LAGalaxy announcement could come as early as today. And Nigel de Jong's move was central to the deal 10:07 AM - 8 Sep 2016   Grant Wahl @GrantWahl Have independently confirmed @blakecthomsen's original report that Landon Donovan is coming out of retirement to play for LA Galaxy. Big. 10:35 AM - 8 Sep 2016   Jeff Carlisle @JeffreyCarlisle Can confirm @blakecthomsen report on Donovan being in talks to come out of retirement. Story to follow soon. #usmnt #lagalaxy 10:15 AM - 8 Sep 2016

The Galaxy currently sit in third place in the Western Conference, tied with second-place Real Salt Lake on points. But with six games to play in the regular season, manager Bruce Arena is without three major attacking players — forwards Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes and attacking midfielder Steven Gerrard, all of whom are injured.

Donovan is still only 34 and while he’s become a father, he was famous for invariably being among the national teamers in the best shape. In rejoining the club where he spent a decade of his laureled career, chances are he’ll fit right in.