In a landmark moment for Major League Soccer, Sierra Leonean forward Kei Kamara surpassed Landon Donovan to become the second-highest goalscorer in league history on Saturday night.
Kamara’s 146th career MLS goal, scored during LAFC’s emphatic 6-2 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes, cemented his place in the record books.
“I hope it makes a lot of people happy,” Kamara said of his historic goal. “I know it makes my friends and family happy because they’re the ones that have been counting the goals all these years and they get to text me. I see their texts, how happy they are.”
Kamara expressed deep respect for Donovan, acknowledging the significance of surpassing such a legendary figure.
“But Landon is the greatest American soccer player to ever live, so for my name to be called next to his for this long, it was an honor. It’s still always going to be next to Landon – I mean the [MLS MVP] trophy is named after him. So when I get to be mentioned next to a great soccer player like that, it’s kind of cool and I’m a fan.”
Kamara’s record-breaking 33rd-minute strike was a powerful header, mirroring the style of his record-tying goal in Austin just three days earlier. The goal places Kamara behind only Chris Wondolowski, the all-time leading MLS goalscorer, who boasts 171 goals.
At 39 years old, Kamara remains optimistic and determined as he continues his career with his 11th MLS team.
Although he is 25 goals shy of Wondolowski’s record, Kamara is focused on enjoying the journey rather than solely pursuing the top spot.
“I don’t want to pass Wondo!” Kamara laughed. “Being in California and growing up here, I remember going to Cal State Dominguez Hills and I was one year behind Chris Wondolowski, who was at Chico State. For him to be in the league where we actually ended up playing in Houston together, that was when we started having this brotherhood.”
He added, “… He just kept setting the bar higher and higher for me every year and I said to him, ‘You keep going, I’m just going to be right behind you.’ So to be one and two, it’s just a dream. People are going to say go chase him, but I just want to be one and two.”
MLS all-time leading scorers
Player
Goals
1. Chris Wondolowski 171
2. Kei Kamara 146
3. Landon Donovan 145
4. Jeff Cunningham 134
5. Jaime Moreno 133
Kamara’s achievement is a testament to his enduring skill and passion for the game, marking another proud chapter in his storied MLS career.
