U.S. Soccer: Should Landon Donovan and Top U.S. Players Stay in the MLS?

There's no doubt that The Clash had U.S. soccer players in mind when composing the song "Should I Stay Or Should I Go."

Why?

Because it's one of the biggest questions facing top American footballers today.

No longer are homegrown players completely satisfied by playing mediocre competition or earning a middling salary. American stars want to push the boundaries and further the progress of U.S. soccer overseas. With players such as Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan making themselves household names, the world now (somewhat) respects U.S. soccer.

But should our best and brightest desert the MLS and hop across the pond?

Most fans say yes because of the better competition, but after looking at other countries it is apparent that many of the elite nations keep their best players in their own backyard.

Familiarity leads to chemistry

Spain's roster had 19 footballers on their 23-man roster playing in La Liga. Seven of them play for Barcelona and five others for Real Madrid. What does that mean? These players know each other's styles inside and out. For example, Xavi knows where Andres Iniesta is going to be at all times.

By constantly playing with or against fellow internationals, La Roja developed a chemistry that was simply unmatched throughout the World Cup. Without a doubt this played a role in Spain winning it all in South Africa.

Obviously La Liga is one of the top two or three leagues in the world so players don't have to worry about facing quality opponents, but the point is that they are together so much that they know everyone's nuances.

American players, on the other hand, aren't exactly as cohesive as the Spanish are. For example, six national team members are in England, four play in the MLS, and two in Mexico.

And how many were club teammates?

Four: Herculez Gomez and Jose Torres at Pachuca and Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Plus, only Donovan was a starter for the national team. If the U.S. is to seriously start contending for World Cups, they have to bond and play together more than just in friendlies and US MNT training.

MLS playing time > Benchwarming in Europe

Just ask U.S. "star" Jozy Altidore. The latest soccer phenom to come out of the States, Altidore signed the largest transfer fee ever for an American footballer—$10 million with La Liga's Villareal.

How'd that go for him?

Terribly, to put it nicely. After scoring just one goal in six matches for Villareal, the 20-year-old striker was quickly loaned to Xerez, a member of Spain's second division.

Not much later Altidore moved to Hull City of the English Premier League. He didn't fare any better there. In fact, he did worse. Altidore bagged just two goals in 30 appearances for Hull.

Rather than being a star in the MLS and playing the full 90 every match, Altidore was a rarely used sub in Spain and started only roughly half of a demoted EPL's side's matches. Jozy hasn't exactly been the pioneer U.S. soccer was looking for.

And don't forget that U.S. golden boy Landon Donovan failed multiple times in the Bundesliga—the third or fourth best league in Europe—before finally achieving success overseas with the EPL's Everton.

When he plays in the MLS Donovan is the face of the league. He inspires young kids to give soccer a try and puts it on the map in a crowded American sports landscape.

Where should the U.S. go from here?

In order to change the image of the MLS from a place for no-names and has-beens to a legitimate league, there has to be an abundance of quality players—not just the occasional Landon Donovan.

To do that, the best American players should consider staying home and continue to give the MLS more exposure and better competition. Not only that, but they'd also be more familiar with their national team teammates and get plenty of playing time.

Don't get me wrong, I love watching Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard succeed overseas in the EPL, but some players just aren't ready to make the leap just yet (cough, Freddy Adu and Altidore, cough). Why not play in the MLS and thrive there rather than being a mediocre footballer in Europe?

There are good and bad things about both options, but I think the top American players should give a little more thought before hopping across the pond. Not only would it improve the MLS, but it could lead to better US MNT chemistry and results.