Landon Donovan sees first MLS action since coming out of retirement

Landon Donovan made his first appearance since coming out of retirement in the LA Galaxy's home match against Orlando City SC.

Donovan, 34, came on in the 83rd minute with his team leading 4-1. The run-out gave the all-time leading scorer in Major League Soccer a chance to test his fitness as the Galaxy saw out a 4-2 win at StubHub Center.

Donovan surprisingly announced his return to the field on Thursday after two years away from the game and began Sunday's game on the substitutes' bench.

The Galaxy have endured a glut of injuries of late to Steven Gerrard and Gyasi Zardes among others, which provided an opening for Donovan to return to the pitch with six games remaining in the stretch run before the playoffs begin.

Donovan came on for Raul Mendiola to wild applause from the Galaxy fans, and has said he is hopeful to do whatever he can to help the team in its quest for a MLS record sixth overall title.

"I'm so far away," Donovan said after the match. "I came into a game where both teams were exhausted, and I was the slowest player on the field.

"I need to get myself ready to compete in a real way. Bruce and the coaching staff need to know what when they put me in, it can mean something. So tonight worked out well, but I need to be able to contribute.

"I think I had much more impact today in the locker room and helping out a few guys at halftime than I did on the field.

"If that's the way I contribute, that's great."

Captain Robbie Keane made his return to the field for LA after the international break and scored a goal minutes later to pad the Galaxy's lead.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.