MLS Strike Still Looming: Wrong Time For Donovan's Everton Loan To End

With a MLS Strike still looming as the start of the MLS season approaches this is the worst time for Donovan's loan with Everton to be expiring. Its unimaginable, but the best player the United States has ever produced might be stuck in MLS without playing soccer heading into a World Cup.

Donovan's time at Everton has been sublime. He's scored two goals and assisted on three in nine league games for the Toffees. Landon's finally silenced his critics and won new fans among the Everton faithful who can regularly be heard chanting USA-USA.

Things on our side of the pond haven't been going so well between MLS and the Player's Union.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement deadline came and went on February 25th without a new agreement between MLS and the Player's Union. Both sides have continued to work under the old CBA until a new one can be agreed upon.

Both sides haven't budged and both have some very key differences to work out.

Without going into details, MLS wants to avoid any changes that would endanger their single-entity structure, and wants to keep costs under control to avoid a repeat of the bankrupt NASL of the 1970's.

The players want some of the basic rights enjoyed by players in other international leagues such as freedom of player movement between domestic clubs, guaranteed contracts, and free agency.

Last week the league and players agreed to appoint a non-binding arbitrator to help them mediate their differences. This may appear to be a step forward for both sides, but there's a big difference between 'binding' and non-binding' arbitration.

What this tells me is that both sides still haven't made progress towards an agreement, and both are so entrenched in their positions that they can't even commit to binding mediation.

What makes this all very explosive right now is the players union has no incentive to strike because the season hasn't started yet. Going on strike during the off-season has very little effect on MLS's revenue. On March 25th that all changes with the start of the season.

A Strike is really the last piece of leverage the player's union has, and I expect them to use it after the season starts to inflict the maximum pain on MLS management to help get the rights they want. This of course would suck for us, the fans, but could also have horrible implications for our World Cup team.

So, how does this effect Landon Donovan? If he does return after his current loan expires on March 15th he's again a MLS player and subject to any strike or lockout. Also, we would be outside of any transfer window, which could prevent him from returning to Everton as an international player.

If MLS did then go on strike at or just after the start of the MLS season on March 25th he would be stuck. He can't go back to Everton until the opening of the next transfer window and can't play soccer professionally at club level until the strike is settled. What a nightmare for the USMNT.

I think that’s why Landon and Everton are asking for at least another month to his contract, which would take his loan through April 15th and give him and his people enough time to feel out any strike situation.

Let's hope all sides get things settled.

Bruce Arena, if you're listening, one more month won't greatly effect the Galaxy season. Getting Donovan stuck in an MLS strike before a World Cup and you would be 'persona non grata' with every Nat's fan in the country, 2006 WC finish not withstanding.