A goal and an assist as Everton swamp Hull, 5-1. So is this Donovan's Everton swansong? He still has the Birmingham match next weekend before the Galaxy's repo men come calling.

However, it looks like he very much wants to stay longer.

The best bet for him would be if the MLS season is postponed because the league and the players union cannot come to agreement over the free agency issue that are a sticking point in the collective bargaining talks. The players representatives are threatening a strike.

That way Donovan can claim no other choice. However for all those domestic players staking their claim for a World Cup berth, a work stoppage could not come at a worse time.

Sunday's match against Hull might be the last for Donovan in a Toffees jersey.

As it stands Landon Donovan will return to the LA Galaxy well in time for their March 27th season opener. Bruce Arena indicated that he wants Donovan back and has scotched rumours that the Galaxy would be open to an extension.

Arena said: "We're not interested. Landon will be back here on 15 March, as we have said all along."

Donovan's three month Everton loan has been an unqualified success marred only by a pretty lame miss in front of an open goal against Spurs. His pace and attacking qualities proved influential in their second interlude capped by historic wins against Man Utd and Chelsea. The fans were won over by him. David Moyes was quite keen that he stay on till the end of the Premiership season.

For Donovan, this is a total turnabout from his initial foray into the European leagues - a frustrating Bundesliga stint. His Everton stint shows a matured player possessing the qualities to shine in the toughest league.

However, much as he is tempted into staying there is a small issue of principal.

Last season in a well publicized snit, he lashed out at David Beckham accusing the English midfielder of lacking commitment to the Galaxy as he showed up three months into the MLS season after completing his Milan loan. The accusations were not made to Beckham's face but through more unprofessional third party sources. In this case though Grant Wahl's book " The Beckham Experiment" which sort of pre-empted any moral high ground.

"All that we care about at a minimum is that he committed himself to us. As time has gone on, that has not proved to be the case in many ways - on the field, off the field."

He also said this which bears significance for his own situation.

" But with Beckham, I'd say no, he wasn't committed. Let's say he does stay here three more years. I'm not going to spend the next three years of my life doing it this way.

Bruce Arena might be providing a gentle reminder.

Personally, this is a good time to be in the English league just before the World Cup playing at its level of pace and physicality, rubbing shoulders with some of the opposition, and in the eye of the scouting agents of the big clubs. A good World Cup campaign could provide a nice continuum into a permanent European placement.

But if he truly believes that the Galaxy need him more as I think he does, this should be an easy choice. Otherwise it will just be another platitude getting in the way of a career opportunity.

Beckham is greeted by Marsch in his first season.

By the sheer dint of longevity, Jesse Marsch proves to be an inspiration. Marsch joined the MLS at inception and is one of only two players to have played all 14 seasons. The other is Jaime Moreno, who when he takes the field for DC United this year will be playing in his 15th season.

Marsch announced his retirement yesterday from the MLS to take on his new role assisting Bob Bradley in preparing for this summer's World Cup. In all, Marsch appeared in 321 regular season matches plus 27 playoff appearances winning three league championships and four U.S. Open Cups. He scored 34 goals and had 43 assists and holds the Fire record of most appearances for the club.

The two have a long association, dating back to Marsch's freshman days at Princeton where Bradley was the Tigers coach. He reunited with Bradley who was DC United's assistanct coach when the fledgling MLS came into existence in 1996. He was also Bradley's pick in the Chicago Fire's first season as an expansion team in 1998. Their paths crossed once again when Marsch was traded to Chivas in 2005, the year Bradley took over the club. In all, Marsch

It is safe to say that Bradley's decision to bring Marsch on board stems from those long years in which he got to see his qualities firsthand.

"I have had the opportunity to work with Jesse for many years, and I believe the knowledge and experience he brings will be a great benefit to both the players and the coaching staff," said Bradley

Marsch's reputation as a tough, uncompromising holding midfielder will also be appreciated in a department that the US could do well to improve. Both Ricardo Clark and Michael Bradley stand to benefit from his tutelage. Marsch hints that he might be take an active role in training and talking tactics.

"He [Bradley] feels I have certain qualities and can help with the group," Marsch said. "I've already been studying a lot of videotape and going through some different things with the team. There'll be a little of everything, but in the end I think my most important role will just be working with the guys and the staff and continuing to create a good environment every day."

As the iconic picture shows above, there is a chance that Marsch and Beckham might reacquaint themselves this World Cup.
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Alejandro Moreno is an original Union

Exciting times for the Union.

Their first squad has Alejandro Moreno, the Venezuelan veteran forward who has had many MLS seasons and a big contributor to the Crew's success in the last couple of years. Defender Shavar Thomas of Chivas who has spent about 6 years in the league including three years with the Wizards. Stefani Miglioranzi of the Galaxy who cut his teeth playing for Portsmouth and Swindon Town before leaving for the MLS. Miglioranzi was mentioned as a possible substitute for David Beckham in the MLS Cup final but never came on. The Union also have Seattle Sounders highly rated prospect Sebastian Le Toux, who was the Sounders first pick up in their expansion.

The 10 selected include:

Goalkeeper: Brad Knighton (New England Revolution)
Defenders: Jordan Harvey (Colorado Rapids), Dave Myrie (Chicago Fire), Shavar Thomas (Chivas USA)
Midfielders: Andrew Jacobson (D.C. United), Stefani Miglioranzi (LA Galaxy), Shea Salinas (San Jose Earthquakes), Nick Zimmerman (New York Red Bulls)
Forwards: Sebastien Le Toux (Seattle Sounders FC), Alejandro Moreno (Columbus Crew)

Peter Nowak is a strict disciplinarian. He does not tolerate star vibes and his benching Freddy Adu while at DC United was part of his "tough love" routine, so having a low key squad maybe his personal preference. Having said that, it will be surprising if a few eyebrows are not raised at his selections.

Having an experienced goalkeeper is an important part of building an expansion team so it is a bit surprising that the Union did not go for Pat Onstad or Kevin Hartman. Even Josh Saunders proved himself very capable. Onstad might be old (42 years) but he has been instrumental to the Dynamo's success and the spring in his step belies his age. Luciano Emilio is a consistent goalscorer and would have been preferable to Moreno (41 goals in 83 matches as compared to 44 goals in 218 matches should be a no brainer). The midfield looks questionable, a Clint Mathis or an Amado Guevara would have been a good addition.

This is by no means "the written in stone" squad. Trading and DP selection could change all that, so by the end the 23 man squad might have just a few of the original 10 chosen. That was the case with the Sounders too as they were left with Le Toux, Nate Jacqua, and Brad Evans from the initial selection while adding Freddie Ljungberg, Fredy Montero, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, and Steve Zakuani amongst others. So Nowak might have a few tricks left up his sleeve.

Union fans will be waiting in anticipation for Wednesday, 25th November. On that day, the newest member of the MLS family gets to choose its team in the expansion draft.

So who do they pick? There are a number of big name players available for the draft.

Amongst goalkeepers Pat Onstad, Josh Saunders, and Kevin Hartman are proven goal stoppers. In defense, Chris Klein, Todd Dunivant, Gonzalo Segares, Robbie Russell, Chris Albright, Jay Heaps, and Frankie Hejduk all provide steel at the back. Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Ricardo Clark, Alejandro Moreno, Amado Guevara, Eddie Lewis, Clint Mathis kept the midfield motor running for their respective teams. And up front Luciano Emilio scored 10 goals, Yura Movsisyan had 8, and Chris Rolfe showed he was no slouch with six.

With the Seattle Sounders a stunning success in their first year, RSL winning their first MLS title four years after they built up through the expansion draft, the Union could become a big story in a traditional town known for its American sports teams.

We now know that David Beckham suffers from a mild form of asthma since childhood according to his spokesman which accounts for his use of an inhaler during extra time.

He was also shrugging of a cold and on top of this needed pain killing injections for his ankle bruise. What you had was a player who was noticeably short of breath and limping badly as the match wore on. This was his second extra time game in a week.

No one plays Beckham the way Bruce Arena does. He has not seen a full game in Milan and as an England player for more than three years now. Beckham's utility is almost like that of a special teams player in the NFL. He would be ideal if there was some sort of changeover allowed in soccer.

By the time Findley had scored, Beckham was noticeably labouring. In fact, Donovan Ricketts it can be argued was let down by Beckham's poor defensive instincts which let in Findley's equalizer. As the game ground towards extra time, it became clear Beckham was eager to get rid of the ball at first touch which led to a number of predictable or misplaced long balls. Beckham's corner taking was also noticeably ineffective and RSL had no problems dealing with them.

I know playing his first MLS final was a big occasion for Beckham and a chance to right every wrong. But in retrospect, it looks likes like a big mistake to have kept him that long. He should have been substituted soon after the first half and a faster, fitter Dema Kovalenko brought in. This overshadows Arena's other controversial decision of keeping Ricketts on the pitch soon after the goalie hurt his hand in an awkward collision with Omar Gonzalez.

The first time in the MLS, an 8th seed beat the top team.

You can see Ricketts react to Movsisyan's shot which was blocked by diving to the left and then struggling to recover to his right when Findley had the ball. That hand must have hurt and one really wonders whether Arena should have not substituted him with Josh Saunders right after he sustained his injury. But Ricketts would have been better served if Beckham had not been caught ball watching and closed down the gap between Findley and the goal.

The better team won even if it went to penalty kicks. Qwest Field was jam packed with 46,000 soccer fans and they saw an entertaining final even though the quality was missing at times.

The goalkeepers were central to the game just as they were in the Fire vs RSL and Dynamo vs Galaxy matches a weekend ago. Nicky Rimando played well beyond his small frame once again and was the deserved MVP of the game. When he saved Edson Buddle's effort it was left to Robbie Russell to score the winning penalty past Josh Saunders

RSL's is a Cinderella story. The team with the worst winning percentage in the playoffs and the eighth seed marched on beating the Crew coming from behind two goals down to win 3-2 and then dousing the Fire. They were going to meet the top seeded LA Galaxy with Landon Donovan the MLS player of the year with Edson Buddle, David Beckham, Mike Magee and a revamped defense which went from the most porous to the stingiest in a season with Donovan Ricketts a huge presence in goal. Surely, their luck would run out in the final?

As it turned out, luck had very little to do with their win.

RSL was the better team by not a little but by miles. They enjoyed huge advantages in ball control and chances on goal. Their players were fitter, faster, and scrappier and as the game went on the Galaxy faded especially in the second half. But it all began on a disastrous note as Javier Morales had to leave the game early in the first half with a knee strain sustained in a collision with Beckham. Jason Kries was forced to introduce veteran Clint Mathis and he shouldered the creative burden with Andy Williams, the first player chosen by RSL out of the expansion draft.

RSL seemed a bit spooked with the protean LA attack with Donovan, Beckham, and Magee switching points of attack. In the 41st minute on a fast developing counterattack, Beckham fed a delectable ball to Donovan running down the right and the POY delivered a picture perfect cross right to the footsteps of Mike Magee. The Galaxy held on to finish the first half a goal up.

In the second half, Jason Kries had to make his second substitution with Ned Grabavoy coming for Will Johnson who had not really recovered from a bout of food poisoning last week. RSL began exerting their dominance in midfield moving the ball around with ease as Beckerman, Mathis, and Williams started finding Findley and Movsisyan upfield.

At one stretch the possession stats were 80% in favour of the RSL as the Galaxy were pinned back in their half finding it difficult to effectively clear the ball. In the 49th minute Donovan Ricketts fell down when Findley ran into him. As the goalie lay on the ground writhing in pain it was unclear what the injury was but the replay showed Omar Gonzalez running back to help, sliding onto his right hand in a three way collision.

Ricketts injury would be controversial. Should Ricketts have continued with a hand contusion? It was to prove critical because he hurt himself again falling on his right side fifteen minutes later to stop Robbie Findley from sneaking his equalizer in a goal mouth melee. Bruce Arena could have introduced Josh Saunders, equally effective in goal during Ricketts layoff with injury. Immediately after the goal, Ricketts signaled he was done for the match and he left nursing his hand. Josh Saunders was finally introduced, possibly overdue. For RSL, Kries bought in Fabian Espindola, the overrated Argentinian coming in for Movsisyan. Espindola provided the pirouettes but not the finish.

The Galaxy was able to get some possession back but it was mostly concentrated along the fringes with a lack of a holding presence in center midfield. Beckham by now was telegraphing his corners and his crosses and the RSL defense led by Olave and Nat Borchers dealt with them quite adequately. The match ended with both the teams tied but with RSL definitely on the up and up with Beckerman providing the vital presence in the center that the Galaxy lacked.

Extra time came and went with more of the same from RSL as they kept the attacking pressure up with Findley coming close twice to ending it for the Galaxy with a falling AJ DeLaGarza blocking a shot at the last minute and the other chance finding the side net. Mathis also had a well taken free kick end up in the side net. On the other end Chris Klein's header just went wide of the goal. Just before extra time ended, Mathis feeds the ball to Williams in a perfect place to take a shot but he remains inert and collapses to the ground in exhaustion

It was left to the PKs. And Beckham got the Galaxy off to a perfect start. Mathis provided a fitting response. Berhalter buried his. Findley did the same. Kirovski provided the first sour note when his effort was batted away by Rimando. Beckerman stepped up in great position to give RSL the lead but his shot was saved by Saunders. Then came Donovan who has been perfect in his PKs and he blasts the ball over. Its a huge miss and the Galaxy captain looked bereft.

Ned Grabavoy converts for RSL. Its 4-3. Mike Magee has to make his PK to keep the Galaxy alive and he succeeds. The stage is set for Andy Williams, the ideal man to bring history to the club which he has been part of since its existence. But his exhausted effort runs straight to Saunders for an easy save. Mike Magee's shot is on the money. We are deadlocked. Chris Klein puts his effort in and Chris Wingert answers for RSL. Deadlock again. Edson Buddle bundles his shot down the pipe and Rimando comes up with another save. It is left to Russell and he makes no mistake.

Congratulations to Real Salt Lake, the 2009 MLS champions.

Why is this man not in the All XI?

Its the numbers you produce and not the little things that you do on the pitch to improve your team which seems to drive the MLS All XI. Even when you factor in stats it does not seem to add up to why Cuauhtemoc Blanco was left out.

Blanco played 21 matches, started in 15 of them and in 1452 minutes of playing time he scored 5 goals and 8 assists. He scored 1 game winning goal and assisted in three others. The Fire made the playoffs and lost to RSL in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Lets compare his stats to the midfielders who made the All XI roster.

Dwayne De Rosario played 28 matches, started in 27. In 2444 minutes, he came up with 11 goals and 6 assists. He scored two game winning goals. Toronto did not make the playoffs.

Stuart Holden played 26 matches and started in all of them. In 2340 minutes, he scored 6 goals and assisted in 4 others. Of them, 5 were game winning goals and he assisted in 2 others. The Dynamo made the playoffs but lost to the Galaxy in the Western Conference.

Freddie Ljungberg played 22 matches, starting in 21. In 1836 minutes, he scored 2 goals and assisted in 9 others. He scored one game winning goal and assisted in five others. Seattle made the playoffs but lost to the Dynamo.

Shalrie Joseph played 27 matches, starting in 24. He played 2228 minutes and in that duration, scored 8 goals and assisted in 8 others. He scored two match winning goals and assisted in two others. New England made the playoffs but lost to the Fire.

Landon Donovan played 25 matches, starting in 23. In 2152 minutes, Donovan scored 12 goals and assisted in 6 others. He scored three game winning goals. The Galaxy are in the MLS finals.

These five midfielders played between 384 minutes (Ljungberg) and 992 minutes (De Rosario) more than Blanco, yet even in that attenuated time, his stats are comparable. In fact, he had more assists than anyone except Ljungberg and he tied with Shalrie Joseph. He also had three more goals than Ljungberg. And his four game winning contribution is better than Landon Donovan and De Rosario.

More to the point, he is the undisputed catalyst of his team. He takes every free kick, every corner. And he is excellent at them. He is like the director in a movie set who yells out Lights, Camera, Action. The other midfielders distribute their play making capabilities with players like Amado Guevara (Toronto), Brad Evans (Dynamo), Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle), Steve Ralston (New England), and David Beckham (Galaxy).

In my opinion, Freddie Ljungberg and Dwayne De Rosario have weaker cases. I am not saying that they are undeserving but Blanco on the strength of his contribution to his team deserves to be ahead of these two players in the All XI.

Three big saves by Rimando in the penalty shootout keeps the Fire out. Ned Grabavoy nails the winning penalty kick after Fabian Espindola misses his chance. The Fire fell victim to a peculiar directional bias that made them test Rimando low on his left as Thorrington, Pause, and Prideaux became predictable.

Rimando's gesture to Javier Morales to keep his chin up after the crestfallen Argentinian midfielder missed his chance to bring RSL parity was part of his heroics. He nearly pulled it off when he stood up just a fraction late for Wilman Conde's direct blast at goal and the ball sped through his hands for a 3-1 lead.

Findley who had faded after his first half effort was superbly saved by Jon Busch stepped up and kept RSL alive. Talk about pressure. Then comes Rimando's superb save of Thorrington's angled shot down his left which he anticipates and parries away and RSL were down 3-2.

Beckerman with his Rasta locks flying, slots the ball past Busch coolly. Veteran CJ Brown keeps Chicago ahead. Will Johnson, a Fire reject faced down his old club and converted his PK to put the shootout on level terms. Pause tries the same left side diving low and the short Rimando parries it out again.

It is left to the over rated Espindola, the target of much orgasmic delight from Chris Sullivan and Max Bretos, the two boobs babbling about his penalty taking prowess; to put the nail in the coffin. "You could not ask for a better penalty taker' intones Sullivan. On cue, he muffs his shot by a mile. Grab your ankles, Sullivan.

Prideaux falls prey to the same tactic of shooting down Rimando's left with the goalie in a zone by now. Finally, it all ends when Ned Grabavoy puts the exclamation mark on RSL's dream run up to the big dance.

Congratulations to Jason Kries and Real who were unable to overcome the Red Bulls last year. This time they did it against the highly favoured Fire.