Landon Donovan hits the post in his U.S. national team farewell

Landon Donovan, the U.S. national team's all-time leader in both goals and assists, made his final international appearance in a friendly against Ecuador at a Connecticut stadium filled with appreciation and gratitude. He had a chance to add to his team record of 57 goals and go out with a perfect flourish, but perhaps more fittingly, he hit the post.

Following his controversial exclusion from the World Cup team this past summer, this match was intended to serve as the send-off that Donovan deserved for all he's done in his 14 years as a member of the national team. Wearing the captain's arm band and leading out a young, experimental squad, Donovan was only scheduled to play 30 minutes since he will return to Los Angeles for the Galaxy's MLS match against Toronto on Sunday.

Before singing the national anthem one last time, Donovan was presented with a gift by USSF president Sunil Gulati — a framed jersey made up of pieces from every shirt he wore since his debut in 2000 as a teenager.

Once the match began, the U.S. got off to a quick start, with Mix Diskerud scoring in just the fifth minute of play. Then, in the 24th minute, Donovan had his chance — he charged into the box like he has so many times before and Jozy Altidore set him up with a backheel, but Donovan pinged his shot off the far post. He would later have another good chance to score from the top of the box, but put his shot wide of the net. Ecuador eventually scored an equalizer in the 88th minute to put the final tally at 1-1.

Donovan ended up playing a little longer than the half hour he was scheduled for, eventually coming off in the 41st minute to a big cheer and an awkward handshake with Jurgen Klinsmann, the man who made his summer a miserable one.

It would have been perfect if he scored one last goal in his one last appearance, but this was almost more appropriate. So much of his career has been laced with imperfection and frustration and then overcoming it. In his early years, he earned harsh criticism for his decision to forgo the chance to play at the highest level in Europe and instead commit himself to helping build MLS into the rapidly growing league it is today. More recently, he was again savaged for taking time away from the game due to depression, but when he returned, he led the U.S. to a Gold Cup title and had many of his critics bemoaning his exclusion from the World Cup squad.

At halftime of the Ecuador game, when asked about his miss, he smiled and said, "Story of my career." But in truth, that's only part of it. Yes, he has frustrated fans, coaches, and even himself at various points over the years, but his ability to recover and grow and achieve things that no other U.S. player has is what makes him exceptional. And with an interest in coaching young players, his greatest contributions could be yet to come.

Previously: U.S. federation posts emotional Landon Donovan tribute video ahead of his final international match

- - - - - - -

Brooks Peck

is the editor of Dirty Tackle on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him or follow on Twitter! Follow @BrooksDT