Deck stacked in Donovan’s favor

Aw, darn. I have to go back and play for Everton?

In the daily soap opera that is the MLS labor problems, the rhetoric has gotten more harsh each day. Honestly, the feeling around here is that a strike is the most likely outcome.

And that’s just fine to Landon Donovan, apparently. Even though he’s one of the player reps involved in the negotiations.

Donovan said he definitely wants to return to Everton if a strike happens and that he’ll work to make it happen.

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UF Quick Throw: Taxi For Pienaar.

Everton and South Africa midfielder, Steven Pienaar has been banned from driving for a year after being caught drink-driving.

Pienaar was pulled over by the cops on the 21st of February after celebrating his sides 3-1 win over Manchester United.

Now Pienaar will have to take taxis everywhere instead of just home after a night out. Why rich footballers risk the lives of others instead of calling a cab, which they can easily afford, continues to baffle me. Pienaar is the latest in a long list of footballers busted for such an offence. Idiots.

Picture of the Day: My Donnie Lies Over The Ocean

LA Galaxy/Everton’s Landon Donovan lies over the ocean in Merseyside, but only for a few more days as the Galaxy seem set upon his return to MLS. Although, the same rhetoric was used last year in the case of David Beckham and Beckham got his extended loan. The labor strife in MLS will certainly play into any loan calculus, but Donovan can’t sell shirts like Beckham, plus Everton and Donovan do not have the same amount of money as AC Milan and Beckham.

However, unsubstantiated rumors have Carlo Ancelotti and Chelsea chasing the American to replace Joe Cole. Of course, Chelsea’s interest has no bearing on Donovan’s return to MLS or his remaining at Everton as they cannot acquire Donovan until the summer transfer season.

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UF Quick Throw: Pienaar Carlada

Everton’s in-form midfielder and South African international, Steven Pienaar was arrested on Sunday morning for driving under the influence of alcohol.

It seems that the Everton player had a few too many bevvies to celebrate his teams big win over Manchester United on Saturday night–Pienaar will appear in court on March the 9th.

Why footballers can’t just call a car is beyond belief; They earn a serious amount of money weekly and still many choose to drink drive. Pathetic.

UF Quick Throw: Afro King To Miss Run-In

Marouane Fellaini, he of the rounded coiffure, the bouncing bouffant is going to be out for 6 months.

The Belgian (sometimes-when suits) international was crocked by Liverpool’s Greek hacker, Sotirios Kyrgiakos during the Merseyside derby a couple of weeks back. Fellaini has been in fine form this term and Everton will certainly miss his influence.

Just a Reminder

While the Champions League knock-out stages get into full swing later this afternoon, there is also NIT Europa League action. The strangely-timed Everton match against Sporting Lisbon (tea, footie and a very upset David Moyes) kicks in about 5-minutes over here.

Adjust your work day and stream hunting accordingly.

UF Quick Throw: Cole Out For 3 Months

Ashley Cole will be out for three months with a fractured ankle, throwing his World Cup chances into doubt.

The injury happened last night as Landon Donovan tackled Cole during Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Everton. Nice work Landon, only 10 more to crock before June 12.

If Cole fails to gain fitness ahead of South Africa, Wayne Bridge will be expected to take his place. Uh oh!

Star Man!

Man of the match for the Sun

A year ago he was considered a flop, a bench warmer not fit for the Bundesliga who had settled for the easy life in the LA sun. Not good enough for any European league let alone the Premier League… but this morning, Landon Donovan is a hit in England.

The player has turned in some good performances since joining Everton on loan (from the LA Galaxy), generally making a nuisance of himself and even getting on the score sheet a couple of weeks ago against Sunderland.  Another good performance last night against Chelsea was celebrated in the Sun today as they made Donovan their ‘Star man’ of the game.

So he’s a hit, what now? Will Everton really let him return to LA?

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EPL Liveblog: Liverpool v. Everton

Yeah, That Looks About Right

Rafa Benitez thinks this game is one of the most important games of his time at Anfield. Who am I to argue?

Though the derby has dulled somewhat in recent years, there’s still a satisfaction around the city when the other team falters, much like Everton did to kick off the 2009/10 EPL season. Their ship has certainly steadied in recent weeks, making this game a mouthwatering proposition. The late tackles will be flying in, and it’s a good chance for Landon Donovan to see what this English soccer stuff is all about. After all, if you can’t get excited for a date with your club’s oldest and strongest rival… well, maybe you’re not built for such encounters.

Lineups, prayers, and the race for 4th after the jump.
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Landon’s Off The Mark

Landon Donovan scored his first Everton goal last night, taking it in a cool and composed fashion. Everton hosted Sunderland, who look to be fading fast as they ruin their early season form (and no, Steve Bruce, it’s not because Kenwyne Jones wants to join Liverpool). Tim Cahill opened the scoring after 7 minutes with a header from afro king (and children’s bouncy castle), Marouane Fellaini.

Donovan scored his first Premier League goal just 12 minutes later from a Cahill knock-down as he shook off the man in front of him to hit a shot home from 15 yards with his left peg.

Goal after the jump.

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African Nations Cup: Where does it hurt?

The African Nations Cup results you REALLY care about

For every great bit of skill we witness on the pitches of Angola, there is a skilled player. And maybe, just perhaps, it is that clever individual upon whom your favored club’s aspirations depend. Essien, Drogba, Song, Eto’o.. down the line.

Big time guys from big time teams are playing some serious ball right now and you can’t know when the passion of international football will translate into a hasty, rash tackle heard ’round the world.

So with out further ado, let’s look at the latest injuries from this ANC 2010!

UPDATED: Friday, Jan. 22, 6 pm est

**Essien update** Final word has come down on the Chelsea midfielder’s busted pin: He’ll be out for six weeks. Essien has a tear in his meniscus, according to Carlo Ancelloti. The gaffer is hoping it’ll mean just a month’s layoff, but medicine is less optimistic. Either way, it’s not as bad as once feared. Rejoice, Blues… Black Stars.

PLAYER: Joseph Yobo
INJURY: Hammy
CLUB: Everton
SO: Looks like the Nigeria captain will be out for just two weeks. So! That’s not good news for Nigeria– he wouldn’t be available for a potential final. As for Everton, worry not. Yobo should be back and fit after the tournament.
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Unwanted Jo Becomes A Loaned Loan

Jo has been sent to Turkey

Q: How do you know if you are a crap footballer?

A: You are loaned out… while already out on loan!

Brazilian flop Jo, real name Joao Alves de Assis Silva, has been loaned to Galatasaray in Turkey. The player was on a season long loan at Everton but they returned him to Manchester City and they wasted no time and immediately moved the striker on to the Turks.

Jo has not only been a disappointment on the pitch for David Moyes, he has been one off it too, leaving Merseyside without permission and returning to South America for Christmas. Everton suspended the player upon his return.

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As We Start To Contemplate the Realities of an MLS Work Stoppage

Not Donovan And Becks

So we saw the post over at Match Fit USA about Landon Donovan’s contract clause that stipulates a minimum reserve buyout (~$10M), meaning if a club like, say, Everton, wants to make Landycakes’ loan into a full transfer to keep him Merseyside, then they have to pony up that amount to MLS—remember the league owns all the contracts—to make the move happen.

That’s all fine and good, but we started wondering: What if there is no league to go back to when Donovan’s loan period ends?

The CBA between the MLS players’ union and the league expires on January 31. And the players are preparing for a likely lockout. How do we know this? READ MORE

Everton Hold Stadium Talks

Looks like a nice place to keep losing

The Toffees met with Liverpool City Council members yesterday to discuss plans for a new Everton stadium within the city, and had only good things to say:

“A positive meeting took place between Everton FC and Liverpool City Council about future stadium options within the city boundary, and more discussions have been scheduled for the near future.”

As you might recall, the club had big plans for a 400m stadium/retail development in Kirkby rejected outright by the council last fall, but the mere fact that both sides are back to the table so quickly (at least in politics, three months is quick) is a promising sign.

Let the jokes about Liverpool’s new non-stadium commence. Which club will get a new home first?