Because in the case of Jamil, the man that orchestrated it (former GM of Quakes) said it was just for training - he had connections with the team and arranged it. Which, of course, doesn't mean that's necessarily the case for Eddie Johnson (that they don't have an initial interest). I'm simply saying it's a possibility.
the real question is why wouldn't manu, or any team, be interested in johnson? for those inclined to watch, the kid is one of the world's hot young properties.
Don't forget that also Jamil wasn't eligible for a work permit, so that was really just for training. EJ is going to PSV after ManU, Holland has only one work permit requirement, that the foreign player gets paid something like 400k euro's a year, that's all. With some exceptions, teams always leave the door open when it comes to training stints if possible. It wasn't possible in Jamil's and Celtics case, not so with EJ & PSV or Dempsey with Feyenoord.
Actually, yes they do. Spector, Magee, Namoff... and some of the top younger USMNT players. They are one of the handful of clubs to regularly put good players on the USMNT. Just FYI NL
I think what figured into that $9 million was the timing of the deal. If he went in January, they'd have to pay MLS a fee to break that loan deal early (which probably wasn't cheap) and so that amount was figured into the $9 million. I doubt the figure would still be at $9 million come January 1, 2005, when he's Leverkusen's property, lock, stock and barrel.