I dread opening this, but... Predictions, thoughts...but if this goes the way of a lot of other threads, its getting closed.
since there are no Leverkusen representatives I think its an announcement that Leverkusen has bought out Landon's contract and MLS will be signing him to a new contract
And I'll be major league disappointed if that's the case....... No way Landon is worth (what it likely takes) to buy him out...the money could go to better purposes, IMO... Weird that there is no Leverkusen representation one way or the other....I'm actually thinking he is gone, and this is the farewell conference (and Leverkusen is not seeing another press conference as necessary)....Leverkusen want it to be MLS and Landon's day (farewell)...we'll see.....pretty suspenseful actually (there should be betting on it
I also think this woulda been leaked either in Kicker or Leverkusen's site (if he were staying in the US)...since there is (a bit) of face to save here....since no leak, I think he's going back... Again, this is kindof like the OJ trial now....
I'll follow my own past history and stay pessimistic : Landon is staying and will be the new owner of the San Jose Earthquakes. Leverkusen is taking the dough and investing it into Jonathan Spector.
I am going to go ahead and check out Dr. Kevorkian's book on How to build a death machine and have it ready for tomorrow. If he stays, I live, if he goes, I press the button.
it wouldn't be difficult to do. All Landon would have to do was get his Agent to wave the fine that comes with buying out a contract.
It really sounds like he's going to Leverkusen. If MLS had somehow bought his contract, they would make a much bigger deal out of it than a conference call. I'd bet the house that he will announce his plans to go give Germany another try.
Should be a good afternoon tomorrow- Donovan on MLSnet.com at 2:00, Manchester United on ESPN2 at 2:30.
Anyone else catch the footage (on FSW) of Donovan accepting the POY award? He looked as excited as someone being led off to the guillotine. After seeing that I can't believe he's staying in the US.
I hope for the sake of US fans in general he goes to Germany and shows what he can do in a "higher level" league. No knocking Germany, but whenever the world class player argument comes up anyone who plays in MLS is in a "lower level" league. So here is to proving all the naysayers wrong!
Even just the tone of the headline "Donovan to discuss future on Tuesday" seems to suggest that there won't be any discussing of Donovan staying with MLS. If so, it would probably say something like "San Jose Earthquakes to announce Donovan's future." It looks like he's going to announce that he's heading back to Germany.
And if that happens we should all kill ourselves blah blah blah* *standard Roehl Sybing response to the American evacuation of MLS (I agree, it doesn't have the same force and effect as a drawn out rant, but everyone knows what I think, so...)
I predicted that Kerry would beat Bush, Scott Peterson would walk and that the Yankees would win the World Series. So I'm staying out of this one... Oh well, here goes. It seems to me he would be leaving: but, then, why make the announcement in New York?
I think that he is going...... There are so many Yanks going abroad, and I have to believe that his position as Reyna's heir apparent has a lot to do with it. The implicit question is "If you're the new Capt. America, why shouldn't you go prove yourself in Europe?" I'm not saying I agree with the "must go to Europe" philosophy, I'm just saying that it is too strong a sentiment in world soccer today for Landon to ignore forever. Also, I think the guy has enough competitor in him to want to prove his detractors wrong. Bottom line, I think he's known for a while that his talent will lead him there, and he feels as though he's enjoyed being a young professional in his home country, and it's time to spread his wings. And I too, will seek out Dr. Kevorkian if he's staying...
that would be a good read on the situation .................. except for the fact that he looked the same way last year when he got the award as well. he just isn't full of personality in front of the live camera, off the field.