#FCdebate: Has Landon Donovan fulfilled his potential?

          • ESPN staffOct 10, 2014, 08:50 PM

          As the curtain comes down on his international career, discussions regarding Landon Donovan's legacy dominate the soccer debate. On Friday night in East Hartford, Connecticut, the 32-year-old will wear the United States uniform for the 157th and final time when he captains his country in a friendly vs. Ecuador (7 p.m. ET, ESPN/WatchESPN).

          Donovan's U.S. record is without parallel. He has set records for goals (57) and assists (58), as well as World Cup goals (five) and games (12).

          But, ahead of his retirement from all soccer at the end of the current MLS season, we look at the question: Has he fulfilled his potential?

          At the club level in his home country, the L.A. Galaxy forward holds league records for goals (144) and assists (136) and has won MLS Cup on five separate occasions.

          But his spells in Europe proved less successful. Having failed to make an impact as a young player at Bayer Leverkusen, Donovan struggled on loan at Bayern Munich -- where Jurgen Klinsmann was his coach -- in 2009.

          Happier spells followed in the Premier League at Everton in 2010 and 2012, but instead of pursuing a longer career overseas, such as national teammates Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey, Donovan returned to MLS having played just 30 games in Europe.

          What do you think? Has Donovan fulfilled his potential? Or is there a nagging feeling he could have achieved more, especially at club level, by staying longer in Europe's top leagues?

          Listen to what the FC TV team have to say and read Klinsmann's thoughts on the subject as well as Graham Parker's take, and then vote.

          Plus, let us know what you think by commenting below or on Twitter, using the hashtag #FCdebate.

          UPDATE: Voting has now closed and, as you can see, it was close! By the narrowest of margins, those that Donovan HAS fulfilled his potential are in the majority.