The Official Site of Landon Donovan

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Mon, Mar 8th 2010, 09:05

Landon tallies a goal and an assist in Goodison send-off

It was, I have to say, one of the cooler goose-bump moments I have witnessed in a long time. As Landon Donovan took what was probably a goodbye lap after Everton’s 5-1 win over Hull City on Sunday, the home fans at Goodison Park stood and cheered the 28-year-old American who came here a European washout and stands ready to depart, just 10 weeks later, as a beloved figure in this soccer-mad town.

And then, like a low rumble at first, but then as loud as a Lake Placid lullaby, the chant began:

U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

Only later did I come to understand that some in the stands were actually booming:

U-S-A! YOU-MUST-STAY!

They do not want Donovan to leave Everton when his loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy ends next Monday and he has to return to California for the start of the MLS season. Not the fans, who were likely seeing his final home game. Not his teammates, who literally held Donovan aloft, jolly-good-fellow style, after his goal and assist on Sunday. Not Everton manager David Moyes, who said once again that he wanted to try to extend Donovan’s loan.

And, it should be noted, not Donovan himself.

When he finally had a quiet moment nearly an hour after the game, I asked Donovan if he wanted to stick around these parts instead of flying back to LAX, the airport code that could just as easily describe the pressures of the league he’s rejoining compared to those of the Premiership.

“Yeah,” answered Donovan, looking as comfortable in his gray suit and open-collared dress shirt as he does fitting into this Everton team. “It would be nice to stay.”

That’s out of his control, though, and he knows it. Donovan signed a four-year, $9 million contract with MLS in December, and Galaxy coach Bruce Arena has insisted both publicly and privately (to Moyes) that Donovan will be expected back in Los Angeles next week per the terms of the loan agreement.

Continue reading at SI.com….


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Comments

Karl Parsons | on 15/3/10

Landon:
Once a Blue, always a Blue! Now you are one of us you know what it is like to be an Evertonian. We are born to be Blue. Imagine next year hitting the winner against Liverpool. If you think we went mad when you scored imagine looking into the Street End then.
When you go to the World Cup we will be behind you. Look out for our EFC flags. They will be there for you.
Love and Life
Karl

chris williams | on 13/3/10

I like many other everton supporters will be following Landon during world cup.Would love to see him score winning goal against England.He will come back to prem in uk as Chelsea are interested, but we hope he liked us here at Everton that he would come back to us here

Joe Walsh | on 12/3/10

Just wish to say thank you to Landon, its been a delight to warch you play. I really do hope you can come back soon, but whatever happens the very best of wishes from all evertoninas.

Jack Fairclough | on 9/3/10

What can I say; we love this guy. He settled in straight away & will be sorley missed when he goes back to Los Angeles. Great individual performances, and his effort alone was enough to adere him to the Everton fans for live.

We made him feel at home and good pal Tim Howard persuaded him to join us for 10 weeks, we just hope he can be persuaded to stay for the long term. Maybe Everton will be in touch with Los Angeles Galaxy in the summer to try and bring him back.

We couldn’t really hope to give him a better impression of what The Premier League has to offer; in 10 weeks we narrowly missed out on beating 3rd place Arsenal away, conceding a last second equaliser to finish 2-2 on his debut. He experienced a Merseyside derby against arch-rivals Liverpool also away. Beating 1st place Championship contenders Chelsea at home – coming from behind to win 2-1, setting up our first goal. A thrashing of another regional nemesis, 2nd place Championship contenders Manchester United, 3-1, again coming from behind at home. Played in the UEFA Europa League twice, home game and away in Lisbon, Portugal. He scored two goals, one of which giving him the perfect send off in a 5-1 demolision of Hull City at home.

He was hoisted onto the shoulders of his Everton team mates and faced the crowd to chants of USA! USA! He gave an emotional fairwell to 40,000 adoring Everton fans after the final whistle, applauding and blowing kisses to the fans who have really grown to love him. Chants of USA! USA! and SIGN HIM UP! made sure that Everton Manager David Moyes knows how we feel about his situation. David Moyes has also made secret of his desire to keep Landon. Donovan himself has also admitted to loving life in Liverpool & the atmosphere around the city. Unaware of how big Football (“soccer”) is in the UK, he realised what he has been missing.

Asked about what his answer would be if the opportunity to play for Everton again came up; his reply spoke loud and clear of his desire to stay, “Yes, Definately. I’d jump at the chance to play here again.”

Perhaps David Moyes & Bruce Arena can come to an agreement over the possible transfer of his contract to Everton. Hopefully.

Its not goodbye Landon, Its see you later.

Mike Constantinou | on 9/3/10

congratulations on your acheivements here at Everton… you will have a handle on the history and great players that have been here and you are not out of place..its been a pleasure you and you are a credit to The MLS.. good luck

lee cooper | on 8/3/10

Landon must have the courage to do what is right for himself. He must stay with Everton ! He deserves more than the MLS.

Ann Carter | on 8/3/10

I just want to say that the prospect of Landon leaving MLS was really a bummer, but after watching him grow and develop over the last 10 weeks, and be so at ease and happy on the field, maybe this is what the future needs to hold in store. I’ve been a fan since he stepped out on the pitch in his World Cup debut and I just wish him all the best.