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U.S. men's national team and MLS legend Landon Donovan found himself on the receiving end of another unexpected jab, this time directed at his hair.
Former New York Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips, who currently serves as an MLS analyst, had one simple request for Donovan during an eventful Decision Day on Saturday: "He's got to take off his hat."
Wright-Phillips delivered the quip as Apple TV aired footage of Donovan at Chase Stadium, watching Inter Miami face off against Charlotte FC. The USMNT's all-time top scorer was sporting the same custom hairpiece he wore throughout the 2026 World Cup.
Donovan has long been candid about his battle with hair loss, sharing in a social media video that he began losing his hair at just 18 years old. He underwent two hair transplant procedures in an attempt to address the issue, but neither yielded the desired results.
Rather than opting to shave his head completely, Donovan chose to wear a hairpiece—and he couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. "My confidence ... when I'm just walking around is skyrocketing," he told The Athletic.
"I didn't realize how much I was aware of my hair, or lack of, because now I walk around and think: 'I'm kind of handsome. I'm not this ugly balding guy.' I feel like I'm an all right-looking guy."
'Don't Give a S---'—Donovan Responds to Criticism
Donovan is no stranger to criticism, whether from his playing days or his current role as a pundit. The former forward had to endure skeptics who questioned his ability simply because he spent the bulk of his career in MLS and never guided the USMNT to major international glory. He then had to watch footage of his botched hair transplant go viral during the 2024 European Championship.
More recently, Donovan was called out by former USMNT teammate Eddie Johnson, who criticized the six-time MLS Cup winner for his "failed" stint at Bayer Leverkusen. Johnson accused Donovan of "running back to MLS [because he] wasn't good enough" to make an impact in Europe.
But Donovan likely responded to those barbs with the same attitude he had toward Wright-Phillips's dig: complete indifference.
"You just hit a point where you don't give a s--- anymore," Donovan told The Athletic when discussing the polarizing reactions to his hairpiece. "We all want to be liked. But there is a point where it's really peaceful where you don't give a s--- if someone doesn't like you or doesn't like something about you.
"For athletes we are so used to seeing and reading and hearing the negative, negative, negative. You become immune to it."
Donovan Bore Witness to Horrible Inter Miami Collapse
Landon Donovan in the house to watch Messi and @InterMiamiCF 👀
Decision Day kicks off at 4pm ET on Apple TV 📺 pic.twitter.com/yLDtt2jeUN
While Wright-Phillips was taking aim at Donovan's hair, the LA Galaxy icon had a ringside seat to witness Inter Miami's brilliance—and alarming vulnerabilities—in south Florida.
The reigning MLS Cup champions burst out of the gates in their final regular season fixture. Ian Fray, Luis Suárez, and Rodrigo De Paul all got on the scoresheet in the opening half, giving the home side a dominant 3–0 advantage.
However, the wheels came off after the break. Charlotte winger Liel Abada netted a brace by the 55th minute, before Rodolfo Aloko came off the bench to score a dramatic equalizer in the 90th minute, snatching a point from Lionel Messi & Co.
The final result had no impact on the Eastern Conference standings; the Herons wrapped up second place, finishing two points clear of the New England Revolution, who suffered a 1–0 defeat to Orlando City on Saturday.
Messi will be hoping to channel his inner Donovan when the postseason gets underway and steer his side to a successful MLS Cup title defense. As the playoffs approach, the Argentine is poised to add a third Landon Donovan MLS MVP award to his collection.