Could have some validity this time around, especially given the time of year and Donovan's interest in playing at a higher level than MLS. Will we see him wearing Club America's colors at Home Depot Center at InterLiga in January?

Here's the report at Univision.

And who owns Club America and Univision? Yep, same company.

Here's the (rough) Spanish language translation as provided by colleague Gene Maddaus:

According to information from Televisa Deportes, American striker Landon Donovan could be hired by the Aguilas del America for the Clausura 2010, as it is one of the objectives of President Michel Bauer.

He could come for the Interliga.

This was mentioned on the news of Televisa Deportes, but there were no comments from the president of the Aguilas on this subject.

The Aguilas hope to have Landon Donovan for the next Torneo Interliga, which awards two seats for the following Copa Libertadores de America, and also the "azulcremas" hope that he will be their main reinforcement for the Clausura 2010.

It should be remembered that this is not the first time that the name of the striker has made the rounds in connection with Coapa, as last august the brother of the former U.S. national team member Alexi Lalas signaled in a column that Donovan could find himself playing one day with the Aguilas, because the Galaxy striker has all of the requirements to be an "Americanista."

Landon Donovan is now on vacation, having finished his participation with the Galaxy, the squad that lost the MLS final to Real Salt Lake on penalties.

And here's another report out of Mexico.

Again, the rough translation provided by Senor Maddaus:

You only have to say the name Landon Donovan in Mexico to bring us bad memories.

Maybe because a few years ago he urinated on the sacred grass of the Estadio Jalisco; maybe because he is one of the best footballers on the continent; but that because he is an American we don't want to recognize it.

What is clear is that for six months his name has been rumored in Villa Coapa, the home of America.

Today, in the program "Estadio Total" on the "Televisa Deportes Network," Michel Bauer spoke well of the U.S. national team member.

"He is a good player, the sort of character that any team would want to have in its ranks," said the president of the "azulcremas"...

Donovan, who now plays for the Galaxy alongside David Beckham, has finished
his participation in the MLS, and as with the former Real Madrid star, has six months "free", in which he usually searches for an arrangement with a European league.

Certainly Donovan's character, his style of play and his certain "arrogance" would fit in well at America, a team that is the most obliged to win and to crush its rivals.

Who knows, but maybe the winter market can bring Donovan to America, with those who possibly, very possibly, would debut in the Torneo Interliga, which holds two tickets to the Copa Libertadores de America 2010.

No response from the Galaxy, BTW.

However, Arena reportedly said earlier today he expects Donovan back next season.

And Landon?

"We'll know soon," he told MLSnet.com. "From Bruce's standpoint, that's the plan of me being back. We'll know soon. I haven't had a ton of time to think about it, but we'll figure it out shortly."

First off, there's still time to enter the contest to predict the score of the game and win an MLS Cup DVD. Info here.

While we await the start of the 5:30 p.m. game live on ESPN and Galavision, get caught up with:

* A game preview by Phil Collin.

* Odds and sods.

* Seattle: Soccer city.

* What Drew Carey thinks of the jilted Galaxy now.

* Hear Galaxy midfielder Sean Franklin on the Galaxy's season and reaching MLS Cup.

Want more? Then check out posts from earlier in the week.

* Alan Gordon's fish toss (and more).

* The Galaxy dog and more.

*Meet Landon Donovan: MLS MVP.

*Meet Preki: Toronto coach.

*Galaxy tops Space Needle.

*See the MLS Goal of the Year.

*Finally, read this week's column.

Among the best reasons to attend an MLS Cup if you're a journalist are the rumors, gossip, agents telling lies in hopes of getting clients work and rank and file folks jockeying for jobs.

After all, contracts are expiring and trades brewing (the expansion draft is next week).

So if we believe this former Galaxy Coach Steve Sampson will soon be joining Chivas USA.

Little attribution to the item beyond vague "sources" (perhaps Sampson himself), but it certainly has a kernel of truth as any potentially credible gossip/propaganda always does.

Pros include the fact Sampson lives locally (Calabasas), is probably relatively inexpensive (a Chivas USA hallmark) and speaks Spanish.

Cons include that ghastly 1998 World Cup, a destructive stint with the Galaxy punctuated by a fluky MLS Cup win and a penchant for backroom politics.

By coincidence, I e-mailed Sounders Coach Sigi Schmid this week (before he was hospitalized with pneumonia Thursday night and where he remained through Saturday) about the Chivas USA job.

A press box colleague had wondered recently whether Schmid, who grew up in the South Bay and still has a house (and wife) in Manhattan Beach, would be interested in the Chivas USA job since it's known he would like to work again in Southern California.

It's probably a case of the right job at the wrong time for Schmid who not only has unfinished business in Seattle, but owners and management he will demonstrate loyalty to after they rescued him from the Crew.

He jokingly e-mailed me: "The owners here are great. If Chivas paid me what they paid (former Coach Hans) Westerhof I would consider it."

Of course, Westerhof was on a CD Guadalajara-size salary, not an MLS one.

And what about Chivas USA?

Here's President Shawn Hunter's comment in an e-mail reply to a query about Schmid: "I have always been a Sigi fan."

Massive?

Here's what I've been scanning as I watch EPL games this morning:

* Phil Collin's profile of Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.

* Steven Goff's profile of former Maryland duo A.J. DeLaGarza and Omar Gonzalez.

* The Salt Lake City perspective.

Alan Gordon: Poetry in Motion

Also:

College Roundup.