Landon Donovan may have played his last game for the United States in East Hartford, Conn., Friday night, but manager Jurgen Klinsmann said the door will always be open for Donovan at U.S. Soccer.
The U.S. gave up a late goal to Ecuador to earn a 1-1 draw in the squads' friendly match on a night that was all about the player who is arguably the best to ever pull on a jersey for the red, white and blue.
"I just congratulated him and thanked him and I think he had a really good time out there," said Klinsmann after the match. "I saw it in his movements and in his game. And I hoped for him, for us, that he scored a goal."
Mix Diskerud got the U.S. on the scoreboard in the fifth minute and the U.S. team looked lively throughout the majority of the first half, thanks in large part to the play of Donovan and Seattle Sounders fullback DeAndre Yedlin.
Donovan hit the post in the 24th minute and had one other good chance before he was subbed off in the 40th minute for Joe Corona. Donovan and Klinsmann shook hands and shared an awkward embrace before the U.S. leader in goals and assists went to the bench for his last time.
"He hit the post and he was so close on the other occasion that we thought, 'well it might be coming up'," said Klinsmann. "So we left him on a little longer [than planned], we thought he would enjoy that and that's what we did.
"We wish him only the best and I told him before the game that this door is always open to him. This is his team, this is his cycle. He built this team and he's done so many things for U.S. soccer, so he deserves the biggest crowds and the cheers and we told him before the game tonight, 'enjoy it.'"
Donovan and Klinsmann have had a somewhat contentious relationship since the U.S. veteran was left off the 2014 World Cup squad for Brazil. In the days leading up to Donovan's farewell match, it was obvious the two still did not see eye to eye over the snub.
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."
For his part, Klinsmann said in a pre-match news conference that Donovan never really lived up to his full potential and that he could have done more here and there over the course of his career.
It remains to be seen what Klinsmann meant by saying, "the door is always open" for Donovan to return. It's unlikely that Donovan would come out of retirement to play again for the national team and he's on the record saying he currently has no interest in coaching at the professional or national team level.
Donovan is set to finish off his career with Major League Soccer's L.A. Galaxy, who are tied for first place with the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference and are a lock to make the MLS playoffs. If Donovan and the Galaxy find success in the playoffs, he'll play his last game on Dec. 9, in the MLS Cup finals.