"Nobody can fault [Landon Donovan's] service for his club or national team. He has played in big games, he has had to carry the weight of multiple teams at the same time. Off the field, he has been the face of U.S. soccer. It’s a lot to carry. Credit to him: He has done it well and been very successful. He is a hard-working guy. … Nobody in the history of U.S. soccer has had to deal with all the pressure he has — not one. He has been doing this since 1999: international games, international travel, World Cups, MLS. ... I don't think anybody is in a position to say what Landon should or shouldn't do, or he needs to give this back. Because he has given the last 15 years of his life to it."

-- D.C. United midfielder John Thorrington, a longtime friend of Landon Donovan, whose return to the field is still pending. (Washington Post)