Landon Donovan has no plans to let his lack of dialogue with current U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann prevent him from basking in the glory of his national team farewell at Friday's friendly vs. Ecuador in East Hartford, Connecticut.
After struggling to find motivation in recent years, the 32-year-old forward announced in August this will be his final season, a decision he revealed three months after Klinsmann left him off his World Cup roster.
On Friday night, the U.S. Soccer Federation will honor Donovan with one final international game, celebrating the career of a player whose initials are noted in the promotional materials to bookend the word "LegenD."
Donovan set U.S. national team and Major League Soccer records for goals and assists, scored in a signature stoppage-time moment that lifted America to a first-place finish in a World Cup group for the first time in 80 years and won five MLS titles -- with a sixth still possible.
Yet during Thursday's news conference, Klinsmann suggested that Donovan "could have done more.
"As a coach, you always want to see a player that drives for his 100 percent," Klinsmann said. "I wished in a certain way, ah, he could have done a bit more here and a bit more there."
On Friday, Donovan told SportsCenter that the two have not exchanged words.
"Well, we don't have of a much a relationship after this summer, obviously," Donovan said of Klinsmann. "We haven't spoken.
"I am very honored to wear the armband for the national team again it has been awhile since that has happened. I want to enjoy it. I want to soak it up. It's a real honor -- and people that don't play sports internationally don't understand it the same way - it's a real honor to represent your country particularly in a World Cup. I was able to see this year what went on back home this year.
"And you realize how special it is. I'm going to wear it proud tonight and I hope that I do it justice."
Asked what he thought of Klinsmann's comments, Donovan refused to be drawn and asked his fans for compassion as he dealt with depression.
"It's easy for people to judge others in their career choices in their life choices," Donovan said during his U.S. Soccer sendoff news conference on Friday. "I've tried not to do that because I don't live anyone else's life and likewise nobody lives my life.
"So I have always tried to make decisions that were best for me." he said. "I realize that is always not popular with people. But it is funny how things work out, but when you look at the national team and where it is now I am really proud to have been part of this growth. I've always made decisions that are best for me. I know that is not wildly popular but I think that is important to do in life. If I had made decisions that others wanted I'd probably have a pretty miserable life."
Donovan burst into the soccer spotlight at the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship, when the U.S. finished fourth and he won the Golden Ball as top player. He made the roster for the 2000 Sydney Olympics and, with his hair dyed blond, scored against Mexico in his national team debut at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Oct. 25, 2000.
Donovan said it is still one of his top three career moments, along with his stoppage-time goal against Algeria in South Africa four years ago and walking down the tunnel in his first World Cup game against Portugal in 2002.
"Incredible for a kid who grew up in Redlands, California, never imagined playing soccer professionally to be walking out playing in their first World Cup game, it was beyond my wildest dreams," he said, adding that he was proud to have played a role in the sport's development stateside.
"U.S. Soccer will continue to grow. If you poll anyone in sports they would say it is trending, it's very positive," he said. "My hope is one day we will win the World Cup. We are on the right path."
In international appearances by Americans, Donovan trails only Cobi Jones (164). His 57 goals are well ahead of second-place Clint Dempsey (39) and his 58 assists are more than double the total of Jones, who is second with 22.
Asked what his future plans are, Donovan did not rule out coaching youth.
"I would love to coach kids. I don't know if I want to deal with male egos and adult egos, and all that," Donovan said.
He also ruled out a return to U.S. soccer in a coaching capacity.
"I would not want to have to deal with all the things head coaches have to deal with but maybe youth teams," he said. "I don't want to babysit, so maybe kids in the 16- to 17- to 18-year old range."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.