Let's talk in a year.
That’s how US star Landon Donovan sums up his future and a possible move to Everton in an extensive 20-minute interview with ESPN.com. While he confirmed he’ll be back with the LA Galaxy in 2012, he left the door open for a possible move a year from now.
“I have two more years left [on the MLS contract]," he said. "We’ll see what happens. I want to get through this year. It’s qualifying for our national team. It’s a big year and then make a decision on what I’m really planning for the future.”
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Donovan also touched on a variety of other topics: his surprise at David Beckham’s return (“I thought the PSG thing would happen”), Beckham’s adjustment to soccer in MLS, his disappointment with missing the Merseyside derby, the lessons the USA can learn from Mexico and his dream to play in the London Olympics.
In a separate interview with Reuters, Donovan reiterated his one-year, wait-and-see stance: “My commitment is for two more years to the Galaxy and we'll see what happens after this year.”
Meanwhile, Donovan’s Galaxy, who made their first three player cuts this preseason, will be busy tuning up for the MLS campaign later today when they face the Montreal Impact at The Home Depot Center (1:30 pm ET) in one of several exhibition matches today. The Impact will then turn around and tangle with Chivas USA for 45 minutes (3:30 pm ET).
Also in California, the Houston Dynamo meet the San Jose Earthquakes in Ventura (2 pm ET), while D.C. United take on Real Salt Lake in Phoenix (1:30 pm ET). Sporting Kansas City will face local side FC Tucson in Arizona (noon ET) and the New York Red Bulls will have a tough test against Estudiantes Tecos (9 pm ET) before returning stateside from their stint in Mexico.
Manager Sigi Schmid had very targeted criticism of the Seattle Sounders’ performance in a 1-1 tie against Orlando City SC yesterday. Watch the highlights here. (VIDEO)
There may be news on the Brian Ching front any time now, with the player cleared to leave the Impact’s camp and return to Houston, where he is reportedly restructuring a deal to return to the Dynamo. “We think there's light at the end of the tunnel in terms of what a trade agreement or what a trade with Montreal would look like,” Dynamo president Chris Canetti tells the Houston Chronicle.
Former Dynamo forward Carlo Costly is busy these days … playing in the Copa Latina tournament in Miami, where he says “I’m not going to say which country I’m going to, but it’s a fact that I won’t be without a club.” (SPANISH)
Keep an eye out for the new player joining Montreal Impact camp today, according to manager Jesse Marsch, who indicated that the player’s name will be revealed by the club.
New York Red Bulls fans can rest assured. Venezuelan international Renny Vega will not be coming to Red Bull Arena. He has signed with Colo Colo in Chile. (SPANISH)
In other Red Bulls news, Mexican midfielder Rafa Márquez says he wants to retire after playing in the 2014 World Cup. (SPANISH)
Today is the day that Colombian midfielder Andrés "Michi" Sarmiento begins what is reported to be a 12-day trial at the Colorado Rapids. The soon-to-be 34-year-old says that manager Oscar Pareja knows him well. (SPANISH)
That’s not even the big news in Rapids camp. The name of the 22-year-old Argentine playmaker has been revealed with an official announcement expected today.
A Canadian forward with experience in the Italian lower divisions, Julian Uccello, will be trialing at Toronto FC, according to this report.
Salvadoran international midfielder Jaime Alas reportedly has the green light to negotiate a deal with the San Jose Earthquakes. He apparently has two years remaining on his contract with Firpo back in his home country. (SPANISH)
In Chicago they’re questioning whether there is still room in the starting lineup for Fire veteran Logan Pause, who has moved from central midfield, to right back and then right midfield in recent months.
The Fire are having an impressive preseason run but will they have a distraction arise come the summer? This report says that Dutch side Twente are planning on working out a pre-contract with Guatemalan Marco Pappa six months before his contract officially expires with the Fire. (SPANISH)
In the feel-good story of the day, former US international Chris Albright has signed on with his hometown Philadelphia Union, where he hopes to overcome the injuries that plagued him in 2011.
Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Lee Nguyen was doing damage control after being condemned for a tweet that included homophobic language yesterday.
USMNT manager Jurgen Klinsmann has responded to speculation linking him with the Tottenham job should Harry Redknapp become head coach of England: "I'm very happy in my role as USA manager and busy preparing for the start of World Cup qualifying this summer."
Good news for the US Olympic team preparing for CONCACAF qualifying: Mexico say they will likely be without Carlos Vela (Real Sociedad) and Giovani dos Santos (Tottenham), who are not expected to be released by their clubs. (SPANISH)
The USA and England are waging a battle for the services of West Ham left back Dan Potts, who is eligible to play for both countries and recently participated in a U-20 US camp. Now England’s U-18s have come calling.
The UEFA Champions League is back with the knockout stages today as Bayer Leverkusen host Barcelona (2:30 pm ET, Fox Soccer and Fox Deportes) and Olympique Lyon welcome Cypriot side APOEL (2:30 pm ET, Fox Soccer Plus) in first-leg matches.
The Copa Libertadores group stage kicks off for Boca Juniors, who travel to take on Venezuelan side Zamora tonight (7 pm ET, Fox Deportes).
And finally, the handshake madness that has gripped England in recent months does not stop at the pros. An Aston Villa mascot, who can't be more than 10 years old, blatantly refused to shake hands with his Manchester City counterpart over the weekend. Watch how he leaves him hanging. (VIDEO)
MLSsoccer.com Must-Reads:
Bolton’s Tim Ream and US Soccer’s Claudio Reyna on the latest edition of ExtraTime Radio
Agent confirms Spurs winger David Bentley is seeking a move to MLS
The Sideline: Clint Dempsey robbed of a goal by the Premier League
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