A tribute to Landon Donovan, who made his 100th appearance for the United States against Argentina.

A fortnight after David Beckham was cheered onto the pitch at Wembley to receive a 'golden' momento in recognition of winning 100 international caps, LA Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan has joined the club.

The forward reached a century of appearances for the United States on Sunday when he captained them to a creditable 0-0 draw against Argentina .

Like Beckham, the Californian has emerged into an icon for his country since the turn of the millennium to become the fulcrum around which coach Bob Bradley, and Bruce Arena before him, has built the national side.

Unlike Beckham, though, at just 26 his best years are very much still ahead of him.

To be exact, Donovan was 26 years, three months and four days when he took to the pitch on Sunday. That made him the fourth-youngest player in history to reach the landmark.

The only three players to have clocked up 100 caps sooner for their countries are South Korea's Cha Bum-Kun (24) and Saudi Arabian pair Sami Al-Jaber and Mohammed Al-Deayea, who each achieved it at the age of 25.

Another record to add to the rapidly-growing list.

Donovan is already the USA's all-time top goalscorer with 35 overall - a landmark he passed with a goal from the penalty spot in the US' 3-1 victory over Denmark in January 2007.

He's also the only man ever to have won the Honda Award as America's player of the year four times.

Quite simply, in comparison to US soccer's other homegrown players, he's untouchable.

Such is the speed with which Donovan has clocked up the miles since making his debut against Mexico in 2000, aged just 18, that it was ironic that he was made to wait for his century.

He had been expected to turn out against England at Wembley last month - the same night that Beckham was honoured after reaching his own milestone recently - but a groin injury forced him to watch from the stands.

He didn't recover in time to make the 1-0 defeat against Spain either, but finally on Sunday his moment arrived.

"It feels great and it's kind of a weight off my shoulders," he admitted.

"It was nice to be part of such a great game and for it to be my 100th cap is special. It is an accomplishment I am proud of."

The question is what now?

Well, Donovan is a vital part of the revolution Ruud Gullit is masterminding at Galaxy and with the US eyeing qualification for the World Cup in South Africa in 2010 he could yet get the chance to once again showcase his talents on the biggest stage.

And don't rule out the prospect of a move to Europe either. He failed to make a go of a spell at German club Bayer Leverkusen early in his career and there is very much a sense of unfinished business there.

Needless to say, three years on from returning to MLS to sign for Galaxy he is older and wiser, and now he has 100 caps to prove it.

There are not many 26-year-olds who can say that.