I was just explaining why I think Dempsey is better than Donavon.
And "I dunno, I've already suggested one reason, that is he is the face of US 'soccer', and the MLS hold his contract and don't want to let their prized asset leave. He likes living in California and hasn't enjoyed Europe when he's been over here (never settled), by his own admission" doesn't fly very far with me as far as I'm concerned. If you want to progress as a football player wanting to play at a high level you wouldn't be obliged to play in the MLS (no disrespect). I'd do ANYTHING to play to play in the PL, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1 etc... it just seems Donavon is just wasting his talent by not wanting to adjust just because he prefers to live in SoCal. Other American's have settled into Europe and European football perfectly fine so I just think that's a weak excuse personally.
He wants to leave, but MLS values him way more than any team in Europe does, so he'll probably have to play out the last 2 years of his contract before he gets a real chance.(unless he really impresses at Everton and someone wants to pay an exorbitant fee) Dempsey was sold for about $4m, MLS would probably want 3 times that for Donovan.