Landon Donovan may have been sorely missed on Wednesday as the USA lost 2-1 to Honduras in the Concacaf Hexagonal opener in San Pedro Sula, but according to U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati, the LA Galaxy’s star man will return to the national team before too long.

At least, he hopes so.

When asked about Donovan’s future ahead of Wednesday’s loss, Gulati told Sporting News: "I have no doubt he'll play at some point." Of course, neither he nor LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena knows when that will be, or even if national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann will call on him once he returns to the MLS club.

“We are going to go on without Landon at some point, whether it's today, six months from today or two years from today," Gulati added. "He's been an important player, no doubt. We had the best record in our history last year (9-2-3), and he didn't play that many games (six). "But I'm certainly hoping he'll come back."

Gulati’s comments echoed those of Arena, who two weeks ago said Donovan is “definitely playing this year, but we’re just working out a return date that makes sense for all of us.” Donovan, 30, is still taking his break from the game -- but at least no one is talking about retirement anymore.