CARSON, Calif. Robert Bortuzzo Jersey Black Friday . - Until last weekend, Landon Donovans pending retirement was a nebulous concept obscured by games, goals and a sport-wide outpouring of appreciation from the moment he made his stunning decision this summer.This week, Donovan finally saw the finish line.After the LA Galaxy host New England in the MLS Cup on Sunday afternoon, the greatest soccer player in U.S. history knows he will be voluntarily unemployed at 32 years old.Donovan has most of his life ahead of him, and he plans to fill it with travel, education and working with kids. He probably also has several good years of soccer left in him, but Donovan remains determined to figure out who he is outside the sport that has defined his whole life.Im just trying to stay present, and well see what happens afterward, Donovan said Friday at the Galaxys training complex. But for now, I just want to channel the excitement in the right way, as we all do, and really put it into a meaningful and special day on Sunday. After that, I can worry about the rest.Donovan is seeking his record sixth MLS Cup championship when the favoured Galaxy take on the Revolution. The Southern California native has carried MLS banner for 14 years, spurning a European career to play a major role in building his sport and its U.S. league from a small-time operation into something bigger and better.With his self-imposed end in sight, the top goal-scorer in MLS history cant help reflecting on the journey.I could have never in a million years imagined playing against Thierry Henry in brand-new stadiums, Donovan said. I could have never imagined playing with Robbie (Keane), a guy I followed as I became a professional and idolized so much. Playing with David (Beckham) for so many years. All of those things, if you had said that in 2001, I would have said youre absolutely crazy.Donovan is still one of MLS best players after 14 years, and he will play a key role in his franchises attempt to win its record fifth championship trophy Sunday. Teaming with MLS MVP Keane and Gyasi Zardes in a dynamic attacking combination, Donovan would love to make the difference one more time with his combination of speed and skill.Although Donovan struggled to find the inner motivation for his sport at times in recent years, even taking a fairly brief sabbatical last year, he insists he still retains his hunger for goals and success in one last game.This week has been a little bit different than the past few, because I personally didnt know what was coming next (before this), Donovan said. Now I know, so Ive been very excited every day to wake up and go to training. Candidly, I dont want it to end right now. Its been a lot of fun, and Im going to have that attitude Sunday. I personally want it to be as enjoyable as possible, and that would be winning. I love winning, these guys deserve it, and I want to help them do that.That plaintive note of wistfulness in Donovans voice has been seized upon by fans, media and even his own friends as a reason to hope he wont walk away after all. Perhaps after an extended break, Donovan will revive his love for competition and the sport that brought him success and fame — and a sizable fortune that probably wont get bigger without soccer.But Donovans coach, Bruce Arena, and his teammates say they believe hes done. Just as they did when Beckham abruptly left the Galaxy in late 2012 following back-to-back championships, Keane and Arena are ready to bid a winning goodbye to a key piece of their championship lineup.If he hasnt changed (his mind) now, I dont think hes ever going to change it, Keane said. Its been an absolute honour to play with him. Its certainly up there with one of the best partnerships Ive had. Hes made the decision that hes going to retire, which is a shame. But at the end of the day, thats up to him. You have to respect someones decision, and if anyone deserves to go out on a high, its certainly Landon.Donovans future beyond Sunday afternoon is uncertain. Even if he doesnt leave with another trophy, his past is secure.I think his legacy is that he left the game as the greatest player in the history of U.S. soccer, and hes a damn good person, Arena said. Thats a pretty good legacy. Brian Elliott Jersey Black Friday . -- There were a lot of firsts for the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Kevin Shattenkirk Jersey Cyber Monday . Price took part in a full practice with his teammates on Friday ahead of the teams Saturday night contest against the Ottawa Senators.DENVER -- Prosecutors said Friday that they are dropping a domestic violence case against Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov because they have new information leading them to believe they couldnt win a conviction. Varlamov was arrested and charged with misdemeanour assault after his girlfriend told police he knocked her down with a kick, stomped on her chest and dragged her by her hair at their apartment on Oct. 30. The girlfriend, Evgeniya Vavrinyukat, also accused him of telling her that he would have beaten her more if they had been in Russia, where he is from, authorities said. Lynn Kimbrough, a spokeswoman for the Denver District Attorneys Office, declined to offer specifics on the new information that led prosecutors to drop the case. Patrik Berglund Jersey. She said it surfaced from additional interviews with witnesses. "This is not an indication that we didnt believe our victim," Kimbrough said. "It is ... simply not having the ability to prove it." Vavrinyukats attorney, Robert Abrams, had no comment, his office said. Varlamovs lawyer was preparing a statement. Varlamov, 25, has been free on US$5,000 bond and has been travelling and playing with the team. He could have faced a sentence ranging from probation to two years in jail if convicted. He is 16-8 with a 2.37 goals-against average this season. cheap nfl jerseys cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap nfl jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '
