The Los Angeles Galaxy announced on Sunday that midfielder Landon Donovan would return to the club in the final week of March, nearly a month into the regular season.
Donovan?s decision to return ended a self-imposed exile from soccer that began after the Galaxy won their second consecutive M.L.S. championship last fall. Donovan scored the winning goal in the championship game, and his hiatus ? to recharge mentally and physically, he said ? puzzled many as he remained one of the league?s top players and a key figure for the United States national team, which was at the time preparing for the start of the final round of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
?After a series of collaborative discussions between Landon, his representative and our key club leaders, we have agreed to allow Landon to remain on an extended leave of absence and return to training with the team during the final week of March,? Galaxy General Manager and Coach Bruce Arena said in a statement.
In the short term, the news is better for the Galaxy than for the national team; the Galaxy statement addressed only Donovan?s return to M.L.S. His estrangement from the national team and its coach, Jurgen Klinsmann, remained unresolved, but a late March return date would seem to rule him out of the Americans? next two qualifiers, at home against Costa Rica on March 22 and at Mexico on March 26.
Playing without Donovan, the Americans surrendered an early lead in their first qualifier at Honduras earlier this month and lost, 2-1.
That team?s struggles, however, are not Arena?s concern. On Sunday, he sounded happy to have his best player back.
?We understand this arrangement is not ideal, but we are confident it will allow Landon the time he needs to be both mentally and physically prepared for the upcoming season,? Arena said. ?We remain focused on our preparation for the start of the 2013 season and look forward to Landon rejoining us next month.?
Corner kick: What are your thoughts on Donovan?s decision? Do you think a return to the national team is next? Donovan, who will turn 31 on March 4, needs only 20 caps to match Cobi Jones?s record of 164.
Source: http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/17/breaks-over-donovan-will-rejoin-galaxy-in-march/
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