Jerome Miron-USA Today Sports
Landon Donovan and the Los Angeles Galaxy have reportedly agreed on a new multi-year contract as the midfielder’s current contract was set to end after this season.
According to SI’s Grant Wahl, Donovan will sign a new multi-year deal that will keep him in L.A. for the foreseeable future. This news is not just great for Los Angeles, but is also big news for Major League Soccer. It continues a trend of quality players staying in MLS like designated player Omar Gonzalez, or players in their prime leaving other competitive soccer opportunities to come stateside like USMNT star Clint Dempsey.
There was a lot of chatter as to whether or not Donovan was going to stay with the Galaxy or another MLS squad, or if he was going to take his talents across the pond. However, Wahl’s latest report has laid those rumors to rest as Donovan will sign a new multi-year contract, which will keep him in MLS.
After taking a sabbatical earlier in 2013, Donovan has taken the international and now MLS scene by storm. Out of his respite, he has become yet again a force to reckoned with and will be key to the USMNT’s success as they continue 2014 World Cup Qualifying play on Sept. 10 against Mexico. Barring a complete collapse by the United States, they should qualify for the 2014 World Cup, and could make a deep run in Brazil.
Moreover, Los Angeles is deep in the MLS Cup hunt right now. With four goals in his last three games, Donovan has shown up big time and the chemistry between him and Robbie Keane has been a key to the Galaxy’s recent success and resurgence in MLS play.
For now, US Soccer and MLS fans should be ecstatic that Donovan has decided to continue playing in Major League Soccer. Yes, he will most likely punish your favorite team’s defense, but Donovan is in his prime and should be for at least the next two or three years. That means soccer’s rise in popularity among Americans should continue.
Follow Phil Naegely on Facebook, Twitter @PnaegelyRS, and Google.
