Associated Press
Updated: February 29, 2008, 4:45 PM EST 24 comments
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NEW YORK (AP) - Landon Donovan became the U.S. career scoring leader Friday, one month after scoring the goal that broke a tie with Eric Wynalda.
FIFA, soccer's governing body, said Friday it had recognized the United States' 3-1 victory over Denmark on Jan. 20, 2007, as a full "A" international game. Donovan converted a penalty kick in the 44th minute of the Denmark match 13 months ago, but before Friday FIFA had not counted the game - or the goal.
Donovan went on to score nine goals in all in 2007 - tying the American record for a season - and got his 35th career goal on Jan. 19 this year in a 2-0 victory over Sweden.
When initially contacted by The Associated Press about the Denmark game in August, FIFA responded: "The Danish FA confirmed in January that this match was not played by their official 'A' team. Therefore we did not register it."
The U.S. Soccer Federation asked FIFA to reconsider, citing provisions in the contract for the game that said both sides would recognize it as an official game.
On Friday, FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke wrote to USSF secretary general Dan Flynn saying the match now counted.
"We are pleased to inform you that after some discussion with the (Danish Football Union), DBU agreed that the match in question will be moved into the list of official 'A' matches," Valcke wrote.
