Kamara honoured to join Landon Donovan in MLS record books

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Jun 22, 2024. 13:00

Sierra Leone striker Kei Kamara has expressed his joy at drawing level with Landon Donovan in the all-time goal scorers lists in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Kamara struck a 90th minute equaliser for Los Angeles FC in their 1-1 draw away to Austin FC on Thursday morning.

It was Kamara’s 145th goal in MLS, drawing him level with American great Landon Donovan in second place on the all-time scorers list. Only San Jose Earthquakes legend Chris Wondolowski (171) has scored more in the league.

“Landon is obviously one of the role models of this league, somebody I look up to,” the former Sierra Leone international said, as quoted by the MLS website.

“He’s one of the best, or the best, American soccer player, so for me to be right next to him is amazing.”

Kamara’s goal allowed LAFC to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches: “Forget the record,” Kamara remarked. “It was just getting the goal to get back into it so we don’t lose the game so we can keep our streak going.”

The 39-year-old also enjoyed his teammates’ reaction to him drawing level with the American striking legend.

“To see the joy in all of the guys’ faces coming into the locker room after the game and seeing them celebrate that goal more than I celebrate that goal is huge,” Kamara shared. “Some of them are like ‘Just enjoy the moment,’ but I’m like ‘Guys, you don’t even realize how big that goal was for us not to [lose].’ They’ll celebrate it for me more than I’m going to celebrate it.”

LAFC and Kamara will next be in action on Sunday morning when they host San Jose at the BMO Stadium.