ONTARIO >> Regardless of venue, North America’s top soccer rivalry matters. And Landon Donovan has seen it all.

From leading the United States Youth National Teams as a teenager, to stardom in three World Cups with the U.S. Men’s National Team, the Inland Empire native is among the most revered and reviled players of his generation because of his commitment, in part, to the USA-Mexico rivalry.

His headed goal to beat Mexico at the 2002 World Cup is legendary, and the game-winning penalty he blasted to beat Mexico in the 2007 Gold Cup is an epic. Now, Donovan has seen USA vs. Mexico in an arena in 2019, and he approves.

“It was awesome. I doesn’t really matter where this game is played,” said Donovan after Team USA’s 7-5 victory over Mexico on Friday, May 31, at Citizen’s Business Bank Arena.

“You know the first time I played against Mexico I was playing with the Under-17s,” Donovan said. “Nobody was watching but that intensity was on the field, and I felt the same way tonight, 20 years later. It means something.” Related Articles Wright-Phillips scores twice, leading LAFC over Vancouver

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Donovan retired from Major League Soccer in 2016 as the league’s all-time goals and assists leader. After spending a brief time with Leon in Mexico’s Liga MX in 2018, he played this past season with San Diego Sockers of the Major Arena Soccer League.

But needing time to get game fit, the veteran attacker was eased into the Sockers lineup and notched a few goals and several assists during a for MASL’s Western Conference champions.

He made his return to Ontario, one of three Inland Southern California cities where his family spent time during his youth, on April 4 as the Sockers visited Ontario Fury late in the MASL regular season, registering an assist in a pivotal victory for the San Diego-based team.

Back at CBBA in Ontario on Friday night as part of a Team USA squad comprised mostly of Southern California-based players, Donovan created chances and was solid defensively despite not finding his way on to the score sheet against Mexico.

“Unfortunately, there are players that are a lot better than me at this point,” he ceded.

Team USA ran out to a 4-0 lead early in the first half, but years of experience had Donovan telling teammates that nothing will be given against Mexico, even in an exhibition friendly match.

“First of all, we’re all competitors – whether we’re Mexico or the U.S. or whatever. Second of all, everybody knows what the rivalry means,” he said. “They didn’t want to be down 4-0, and they fought back to tie it before we got two late (goals), so I think it was a great night for everybody.”

Team USA’s exhibition game schedule continues as the team progresses toward the World Minifootball Federation (WMF) World Cup in Australia in September. Donovan has yet to be offered a roster spot but official team rosters will not be released until later this summer.

“I haven’t spoken to (Team USA officials) about it but if they want me to be around then we can have a conversation,” he said.

As usual, the soon-to-be U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame inductee remains coy on his future plans. Will Donovan return to the Sockers for second season? Will he officially retire from playing and go into club management?

“Not yet,” he said. “But we should have some clarity soon here; by the end of next month (July).”

He lives in San Diego now, so there’s still the beach soccer season to consider.