Landon Donovan Retiring, MLS Goal Scorer Quitting End Of 2014 LA Galaxy Season After Missing World Cup

After the drama around the 2014 World Cup, a funny commercial, and a career of impressive goal after goal, LA Galaxy star player Landon Donovan has announced his retirement from competitive soccer via his Facebook page. The 32-year-old is set to leave the game at the end of the 2014 MLS season.

"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," Donovan wrote on his Facebook page. "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."

He added: "[A]fter 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."

You can check out Landon's entire retirement announcement message to his Facebook followers right here.

Donovan is the United States' all-time leading goal-scorer in World Cup play and also holds the same title in the MLS.

This announcement is still fresh, but expect plenty of praise and other comments in the next few days in regards to this news.

What do you think of this retirement news? What does this mean for the MLS? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below!

(via USA Today)