Friday Football: Everton seek to extend Donovan's loan deal
You knew that was coming, right?
Said Everton manager David Moyes about the possiblity of keeping the Galaxy's Landon Donovan longer:
"I am keen to keep Landon and it sounds initially in America that they might say yes. I think Landon is keen to stay also so it looks as though all parties are keen. But I have not got that confirmed yet, I can't say exactly if that is going to happen. If we can make it happen we will."
Here's the full story.
I've got a call in to the Galaxy seeking comment and will update the post once I hear any word from General Manager and Coach Bruce Arena.
Everton's game against Jozy Altidore and Hully City Sunday (8 a.m. Fox Soccer Channel) was scheduled to be Donovan's last in England.
Updated 1:50 p.m.: Still awaiting comment from the Galaxy
Updated 2:30 p.m.
"We're not interested," Galaxy GM and Coach Bruce Arena told MLSnet.com today. "Landon will be back here March 15. We're being consistent with everything we've said all along."
But...
"Obviously the collective bargaining could change that," Arena also said. "If we didn't have a league going on we would certainly entertain the idea of allowing Landon to stay there."
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
Who has the final say on this? MLS or Bruce Arena and the Galaxy?
Bruce
Bruce acting all tough like he is a college coach or something. Got news for you Bruce: The league, and you, and Landon's prison b***h, and he knows it.
I need an copy editor: "and Landon's" [sic] should read "are Landon's".
You need more than a copy editor, buddy. I was really impressed by Landon in the short time he was in Everton. I also want to thank Nick for the updates (locally) with Donovan and his entertaining photos and comments on Beckham so far...even though I do support Beckham in the stands with the Angel City Brigade.
Your attempt to counter my point proves it. And that is why whatever Landycakes wants, Landycakes will get, and the league will bend over backwards (or forwards) to make sure he gets it.