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| Saturday, August 3, 2002 20:37 EST |
Donovan wants to stay with MLS
[Associated Press]
WASHINGTON -- Landon Donovan and his agent met this weekend
with officials of Bayer Leverkusen, trying to work out an
arrangement that would allow the 20-year-old star to remain in
Major League Soccer beyond this season.
Donovan had two goals during the World Cup, becoming the
youngest player to score during the tournament. Bayer Leverkusen,
which owns his contract, worked out an arrangement before the 2001
season that allowed the forward to play in MLS with the San Jose
Earthquakes.
"There were sincere efforts made to find a resolution,''
Donovan's agent, Richard Motzkin, said Saturday. "It's a process
that's going to take a little time.''
Donovan signed a longterm contract with Bayer Leverkusen, a top
club in Germany, in 1999 when he was just 16. When he went to
Germany, he never even made the first-team roster and was unhappy
because he was not improving his skills.
While Germany coach Rudi Voeller, the former Leverkusen coach,
said during the World Cup that the club would recall Donovan after
the MLS season, Donovan doesn't want to return unless he has a
chance to play.
Bayer Leverkusen has become one of the top teams in Europe,
losing 1-0 to Real Madrid in last May's Champions Cup final, so
it's unlikely he could gain a spot in the lineup.
"It's a good time to be in America as a soccer player,''
Donovan said after scoring for the United States in its 3-2 loss
Saturday to the MLS All-Stars. "You want to help the sport grow,
and that plays in your mind.''
MLS, wanting to build on the quarterfinal finish by the United
States at the World Cup, wants to retain top American players to
build its audience.
Donovan has seven goals in 28 international appearances. He
scored seven goals in 22 games with San Jose in 2001 and has four
goals in 13 games this season.
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