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Landon Donovan took a plane from London to Los Angeles on Sunday, wrapping up his 10-week loan spell with Everton.
<a title="Landon Donovan on Facebook" href="http:\/\/www.facebook.com/#!/landondonovan?ref=ts" target="_blank">After hitting an In-N-Out,</a> he’ll be getting set to start the MLS season with the Galaxy.
Maybe.
As I’m sure you’ve heard, his fellow MLS players <a title="MLS players vote to strike" href="http:\/\/articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/11/sports/la-sp-newswire-20100312" target="_blank">have voted to strike</a> if a new collective bargaining agreement with the league isn’t reached by March 25, the scheduled opening night for the league.

We haven’t heard much from the league in recent days, but players are still making their case in the media.
Seattle keeper <a title="Keller story" href="http:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com/sports/mls-players-insist-labor-strive-and-strike-vote-isnt-about-money-but-player-rights-87623167.html" target="_blank">Kasey Keller told the Associated Press,</a> “This is truly a case of guys who could make more money going out and getting a job, but they’re trying to live out the dream.”
He went on to add, “I understand where the league was coming from five, 10 years ago when it was up against the wall if we were going to still have a league. That’s now no longer the case and some of the things they were able to get away with just can’t happen anymore.”
Well, somebody had to provide the “it’s not all about the money” quote.
And, just in case the league needed something else to worry about, David Beckham <a title="Beckham injured" href="http:\/\/www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-03-15-david-beckham-injury_N.htm" target="_blank">ruptured his Achilles’ tendon</a> and will likely miss the 2010 MLS season.
If there is one.
There’s still time to get a deal done, but we’ve been saying that since the old&nbsp;agreement expired in January.
The silence on the owners’ end of the table is somewhat telling.
The players union, it seems, is gearing up for a fight.
A season – one with an expansion team, shiny new stadium in the New York area and a promised World Cup-bump for the second half – hangs in the balance.
Which way, I wonder, will it tip?

MLS, Players Union Staring at March 25 Deadline - World Soccer Talk

MLS, Players Union Staring at March 25 Deadline

With around 10 games left on the schedule, it’s white-knuckle time up and down the table in the Barclays Premier League.
Three teams are within two points of first place, four teams are within four points of fourth place and seven teams are within six points of the drop zone.
Or, if math really isn’t your thing, you could just say that things are tight.

Check it out:
<a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/table1.jpg"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/table1.jpg"></a></figure></div>
The Gaffer points out that this is a landmark weekend for EPL games in the States, <a title="EPL games on offer" href="http:\/\/epltalk.com/premier-league-history-will-be-made-in-us-this-weekend/16688" target="_blank" rel="noopener">as all of them will be shown live in some medium.</a>
<a title="TV schedule" href="http:\/\/epltalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">See the TV schedule here</a>
Just for fun, let’s change up the format this week.
Chasing the crown
Chelsea vs. West Ham
The Blues have a game in hand but are two points back of Manchester United – a situation they’ll be looking to remedy when West Ham waltzes into Stamford Bridge.
West Ham’s Kieron Dyer is already targeting future games at Upton Park as key for the club’s Premier League survival, telling the team’s Web site, “For the team the next two games won’t have a bearing on whether we stay in the league or not. I still believe if we can do well in our home games and possibly against Fulham away, if we do well there, I believe we will stay in the league.”
Considering that West Ham hasn’t won any of&nbsp;its last eight London Derbies, that might not be a bad plan.&nbsp;
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<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2563/13_03_2010/Tottenham_Vs_Blackburn_Rovers.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
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<div>Arsenal shares Chelsea’s two-point deficit to United, but doesn’t have the game in hand. That fact, and the additional worry that Cesc Fabregas won’t be ready, make the Gunners’ trip to the KC Stadium all the more dicey.</div>
<div>Always meticulous, Arsenal manager Arsene Wegner told the team’s Web site, “His chances of playing are 0.5 per cent – that means unless a miracle happens, he will not play. At the moment, he is out of Saturday’s game,” he said.</div>
<div>With or without the talented Spanish midfielder, Arsenal will be looking to make it eight out of nine wins over Hull in all competitions.</div>
<div><a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2563/13_03_2010/Tottenham_Vs_Blackburn_Rovers.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a></div>
Manchester United vs. Fulham
The front-running Red Devils will be looking to hang on to the top spot in the standings while exacting a little revenge against the Cottagers for their loss in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Fulham has won the last two meetings in this series – both at Craven Cottage – but it may be a different story on Sunday at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney is outclassing all of the available adjectives in the English language right now. He has 30 goals in all competitions right now, and has probably added another in the time it took me to write this sentence.
How has he scored 15 goals in his last 12 games?
“I’ve been in the box a lot more. I’ve worked on my timing and I’ve played up front all season,” he told the Associated Press.
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2563/13_03_2010/Tottenham_Vs_Blackburn_Rovers.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Dreaming of Europe
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Blackburn Rovers
Spurs have hold of fourth place and they’ll be trying to keep it when Rovers visit White Hart Lane Saturday.
The venue suits Spurs, as only Manchester United has managed more than one goal in a match there in the last 31 league games.
Rovers’ manager Sam Allardyce took a break from preparing for this match to display his dislike for Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez. “He’s always got personal with it for many, many years now, that’s why I don’t like him,” Allardyce told Sky Sports News.
“The feeling’s probably mutual but I don’t get personal with him. I get into him, and under his skin,&nbsp;but that’s all part of the game, is it not?”
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2563/13_03_2010/Tottenham_Vs_Blackburn_Rovers.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Birmingham vs. Everton
Everton visits Birmingham in what could be Landon Donovan’s final game in a Toffees’ shirt Saturday.
Birmingham have already won and drawn with Everton at Goodison Park this season, and will be looking to notch a result to inch closer to Europa League territory.
As for Donovan, he told the team’s Web site, “When I think of everything at Everton I want to think of the trip as a whole and think that I have been successful. It has been fantastic.
“I could never have expected when I got here that it would turn out like this. The fans want you to play as hard as you can when you are out there. That is what I like to give when I am out there.”
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2563/13_03_2010/Tottenham_Vs_Blackburn_Rovers.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Stoke Cty vs. Aston Villa
The Potters will try to shake off the injury bug and put a crimp in Aston Villa’s top four plans Saturday.
Ricardo Fuller (back) and Rory Delap (foot) are injury worrries for the match, but Aston Villa has its own issues with a virus making its way through the team room.
But manager Martin O’Neill is still eying a top-four finish.
“We’re still fighting, we’re still battling on that front. Because of the cup runs and the postponed games it’s going to be pretty hectic between now and the end of the season,” he told the Express and Star. “We’re trying to get dates for the rearranged games against Everton and Hull and it’s going to be pretty exciting if we can hang in there.
“Saturday’s game against Stoke will be particularly difficult followed by an equally difficult away trip to Wigan but we’ve got to hang in there. We’ve got to last the distance and stay with it.”
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2563/13_03_2010/Tottenham_Vs_Blackburn_Rovers.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Sunderland vs. Manchester City
Fresh off a much needed win over Bolton, Sunderland will entertain the equally-in-need-of-a-win Manchester City on Sunday.
City trails Spurs for the fourth spot by goal difference, but has a game in hand. Still, they’ll want a result here.
Shoring up the defense will be key for the Champions League hopefuls, as they have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight away league matches.
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2563/13_03_2010/Tottenham_Vs_Blackburn_Rovers.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Liverpool vs. Portsmouth
After dropping a Thursday Europa League match with Lille, Liverpool will try to cheer up with a Monday game at Anfield with last-place Portsmouth.
Of course, considering that Pompey beat Liverpool at Fratton Park earlier this season, that might not be how it plays out.
Still, Portsmouth has never won a league game at Anfield in six tries, so it will be an uphill battle for them.
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2563/13_03_2010/Tottenham_Vs_Blackburn_Rovers.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Avoiding the drop
Bolton Wanderers vs. Wigan Athletic
After receiving a 4-0 beating at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday, Bolton will try to pick up the pieces against Wigan on Saturday.
Wigan, on the other hand, knocked off Liverpool on Monday, so the Latics come in full of confidence.
Still, Bolton is tough at home – allowing no goals in its last three home league matches. On the other hand, Bolton hasn’t found the back of the net in its last four league games with Wigan.
So who knows how it will go?
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2563/13_03_2010/Tottenham_Vs_Blackburn_Rovers.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>
Burnley vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
The Clarets can leave the drop zone, stepping on Wolves along the way, with a win at Turf Moor on Saturday.
Goals could be in the cards as Burnley has at least one goal in every home league match this season. Of course, every away team has at least one goal since Hull City failed to score there in October
<a title="EPL Talk Predictor" href="http:\/\/predictions.epltalk.com/Bet/2563/13_03_2010/Tottenham_Vs_Blackburn_Rovers.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor</a>

Premier League Preview - March 13-15 - World Soccer Talk

Premier League Preview – March 13-15

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After a couple of days worth of meetings in Washington D.C. with federal mediator George H. Cohen, Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Union agree on only one thing:
There isn’t a work stoppage.
Right now.
Here’s the net result of the meetings so far, a joint statement about the progress of the negociations:
“MLS and the players’ union have agreed to continue collective bargaining agreement discussions with the FMCS.”
The Washington Post’s Steven Goff reports that the sides aren’t expected to meet today, however.
Guess this is the day everyone’s planning to tour the Smithsonian.
So, this is good news, right? There’s still no strike, and the season is still slated to get under way soon.
Well, yeah.
<a title="CBC story" href="http:\/\/www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2010/03/10/sp-nick-garcia.html" target="_blank">Until you read this on the CBC Web site.</a>
Toronto FC’s Nick Garcia, one of their player representatives, is throwing down the gauntlet.
“We are united as a union and if we need to strike, we will,” he told the CBC. “We’re anticipating not having the season starting (on time). As of now, for us, we’re very far apart — even with the mediator there in D.C. We’re hoping things can get done, but quite frankly I don’t think we’re confident things will.”
Oh, and that starting the season under the old CBA idea?
Not happening, according to Garcia.
“We’re not prepared do that,” the said. “That’s one thing we are not going to (do). We are prepared and willing to not start the season with the current CBA.”
Not to be an alarmist, but this may not be going well.
“We, as a union, have come more than half-way (in the negotiations),” Garcia said. “To this point, the league hasn’t taken us seriously, so for me I don’t think real issues have been addressed and I know other guys on other teams feel the same way.”
Now, I suppose it’s possible that Garcia is just shooting his mouth off and his sentiments are not the prevailing ones among the rank and file.
But if Garcia is speaking for the players, things might be about to get even nastier between the owners and players.

MLS, Players Union Still Talking...For Now - World Soccer Talk

MLS, Players Union Still Talking...For Now

According to multiple reports, Landon Donovan is asking his MLS employers, the L.A. Galaxy, to extend his loan stay at Everton.
“I have told Galaxy what I want; they know what’s going on and I speak to my manager there often,” Donovan told the Telegraph. “Both clubs know how I feel, which is that I would like to stay, though I can’t end the season here, I’d have to go back April 15 at the latest.
“If that can be worked out, great. If not, then the Galaxy are my team and I’m very grateful for the chance I had here. It would be bittersweet either way.”
Of course, you might have seen Bruce Arena’s comment on the matter:
“We’re not interested,” he said of a possible extension to the loan. “Landon will be back here March 15. We’re being consistent with everything we’ve said all along.”
Now, a work stoppage would change things, but it looks like Donovan’s weekend game with the Toffees could be his last – for a while.
And while I hate that he can’t stay a little longer, if I were Bruce Arena, I’d have the same attitude.
On with the show
While the league and players union meet in Washington D.C. to hammer out their respective collective bargaining issues, there is a meaningful game tonight.
The Columbus crew hosts Toluca in a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal tonight at 8 p.m. (FSC).
A quick check of the posted odds tells us that Toluca are favored, and when you consider that the Mexican side is in-season, it’s not tough to see why.
In addition, the Crew will be without Frankie Hedjuk and Guillermo Barros Schelotto through suspension and Chad Marshall is out of action with a hamstring injury.

Donovan Asks Galaxy To Extend Everton Loan - World Soccer Talk

Donovan Asks Galaxy To Extend Everton Loan

On Friday afternoon, Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Union announced that they will meet next week in Washington D.C. to resume labor negociations.
And they’ve accepted&nbsp;an offer of mediation from George H. Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
What’s this mean?
Since I didn’t read the words “binding arbitration” anywhere, it basically means that someone else will get to hear the league wax poetic about keeping its costs in line&nbsp;while the&nbsp;union speaks wistfully about things like freedom and fairness.
Or&nbsp;Mr. Cohen&nbsp;could&nbsp;read the sides sniping away at each other in&nbsp;the newspaper.

MLS president Don Garber is confident that the season will go ahead as scheduled, and accepting mediation is at least a token step in the right direction.
One thing worries me, though.
The union will NEVER have more leverage in these discussions than they have right now.
The World Cup, and the casual interest it may bring to the league, is the pink elephant in&nbsp;whatever room these meetings will be held in.
That new $200 million stadium in New York is another bonus&nbsp;for the players, since no owner in&nbsp;MLS wants a sparkling new stadium in the nation’s largest media market standing empty.&nbsp;
Of course the owners are willing to play this season under the terms of the old collective bargaining agreement and sure they’ll promise not to lock out the players.
The ball, to steal a metaphor from tennis, is in the players’ court.
Will they lob it back, adopt a live-and-let-live approach and start kicking balls in anger as scheduled later this month – new CBA or not?
Or will they go for the wicked forehand winner, take the hard line and try to hit the owners in the wallet in a World Cup season?
It’s going to be an interesting couple of weeks.

MLS, Players Union Agree To Mediation - World Soccer Talk

MLS, Players Union Agree To Mediation

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Premier League Preview – March 13-15

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MLS, Players Union Still Talking...For Now

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Donovan Asks Galaxy To Extend Everton Loan

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MLS, Players Union Agree To Mediation