"Un"Lucky Landy

If you know me, you know I'm a huge fan of the beautiful game. And over the years, I've seen the sport that I grew up playing being more widely accepted in America for the athleticism, skill, and creativity its players possess. It's not like "American Football"-- you stop after every play to figure out what to do next. The fluidity of football is what makes the game so special.

I haven't been a huge Landon Donovan fan-- he's always excelled on the National team, but playing in MLS always questioned his legitimacy as a true "global footballer." His short stint in Germany post-2002 world cup was troubling; he was young, homesick and lacked a knack for adjusting to the rough and tumble Bundesliga. But his loan to Everton from January of this year to present has changed all of that. He has been embraced by a storied team and a fan base that appreciates hard work, skill, and a team-focused player. His 2 goals and 3 assists in his short stint in the world's preeminent Professional League -- the English Premiership League -- has erased all questions of his international ability. He had a rough outing against Tottenham, but even coach David Moyes was impressed by his ability to jump on the pitch day one against Arsenal (none the less) and adjust to the fastest paced league with the best players.

To hear the Everton fans, chant "U-S-A" over and over and "Let Him Stay" on the last game of his loan was chilling. I've always hoped that US players woould gain respect and admiration in a league that is the Litmus Test for a player's true ability. Landon not only proved himself, but the US game as a whole.

The unfortunate circumstances are now that Landon most go back to the LA Galaxy, play in a sub-par league, and honor his contract. His "loan" is something very common in Football Leagues globally. Teams lend out players for stints all the time, other teams can test them out for a price and if they want to buy their contract they can do so through negotiations and Fair Market Value.

Now, everyone knows he has done all he can in MLS and he can do so much more in the EPL. But the MLS is a cartel, they own the players and the contracts. MLS is afraid to let go a marquee player who has paid his dues and helped the league enormously. NOW, the league should help Landon and and let him go. Take the $10-$15million that Everton and Chelsea are willing to pay, reinvest in the league, and let him be happy.

By doing well at Everton, winning over once skeptical fans in the most competitive market, and showing his skills, Landon has created a dilemma that not only questions the structure of the MLS, but also points a finger at American Sports in general. IN the world's foremost free market economy, our sports are structured more like CARTELS, than a true free market system. Now, Landon has to leave the EPL and he leaves a lot on the table -- money and the ability to really show the world that WE CAN PLAY. MLS won't negotiate and Landon has said he wants to stay at Goodison Park (along with US national team goalkeeper, Tim Howard).

As he did his final lap at Goodison Park, you could tell his departure was bittersweet. He knew it, the fans knew it, and MLS knows that they are stifling a player who has so much to give, not only to his team, but to the image of the US game. Un-lucky for Landy, Un-lucky for Everton and Un-Lucky for the fans