What's Your Favorite Landon Donovan Versus Mexico Storyline?

No one could have predicted at the time, but Donovan's first cap... AND goal... AND assist came against El Tri - in one of several 2-0 wins for the USA #dosacero

No other player has stuck it to Mexico in their history more than Donovan, both on and off the field. LD admits he was a punk in the early years, but then he earned respect for and from Mexico's history and fans.

It was only a "friendly," but another 2-0 win added to the #dosacero LegenD and set up the next huge moment on our list, one that led to a Gold Cup trophy.

Gold Cup Final (cough cough Jürgen), 2007, Chicago. El Tri scored first, but Donovan drew level with this PK. Benny Feilhaber then scored the goal of his career so far (cough cough Jürgen) to win it all in the 73rd.

LD never did win the GanaGol lottery (as far as we know). Though controversial due to his outfit, the premise of the commercial and uproar it caused fueled both love and hatred for him among Mexico fans. His Spanish is pretty good, though.

Donovan appeared to have won the U.S. yet another trophy with the second of two early goals in the 2011 Gold Cup final. But El Tri had other plans, and won 4-2 in a dominating performance. This was the last time a Gold Cup final would determined who got to go to the Confederations Cup -- winning in October to book a trip to Russia 2017 would be the perfect revenge.

Yep. Donovan's last goal (so far) for the USMNT was also against El Tri, and also in a 2-0 win. This one secured qualification for the 2014 World Cup however, making it bittersweet. An LD return for Oct 9 wouldn't put this record in jeopardy!

Mexican fans were also infuriated when it was reported Donovan peed on Guadalajara's Estadio Jalisco during a pre-game training session with the U-23s. The symbolism makes sense, but anyone who's played knows sometimes you've just got to go. (photo here is from 2014)

His second goal against Mexico was one of his two biggest of all 57, catapulted USA into the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals, and capped yet another #dosacero

We all know he retired too early. Is he in shape? Probably, you don't have a career like him and not keep up the good habits. Could he muster the motivation to beat Mexico one last time? We think so.

It's LegenD at his best. This is THE goal that will still be "up there" 100 years from now. It wasn't Mexico, but it won the group in a World Cup and it was THE first major culture moment that captured the "average Joe" sports fans by the millions who watched their first soccer game. He's a BIG GAME player. ...C'mon Jurgen, pick up the phone.