San Jose Earthquakes to host Landon Donovan, Club Leon in friendly

Landon Donovan at Leon presentation

Landon Donovan made his debut with Club Leon in Liga MX on Saturday night and now he'll return to playing soccer in California.


No, it's not what you're thinking, even though Leon had much of the American soccer community in a tizzy on Monday afternoon with a tweet.

Donovan will not be returning to play in MLS with the San Jose Earthquakes, his first MLS team. Instead he and his new team will be facing off against them in a friendly on March 24 at 10:15 pm ET, reuniting Donovan with the team he won two MLS Cups with. Both clubs are off from league play that weekend.


"This will be the first time in club history that we will play Club Leon in any competition, and the first time that former Earthquakes player and soccer legend Landon Donovan will play at Avaya Stadium," said Earthquakes president Tom Fox in a statement. "We have hosted some great international opponents during the past years, and this match is poised to be extra special."


Donovan played for the Quakes from 2001-04, helping San Jose win the 2001 and 2003 MLS Cups. During his time in San Jose, Donovan scored 32 goals and provided 29 assists. He currently holds the MLS record for most goals with 145, although current Quakes forward Chris Wondolowski is only 12 goals shy of surpassing him. Donovan entered Leon's match against Puebla on Saturday night in the 83rd minute, helping his team capture a 2-1 victory.