Everton-Donovan deal not done. Yet.

I’m hearing now that today’s announcement from Los Angeles is not regarding Landon Donovan’s short-term loan to Everton. That remains on track, apparently, but there’s just a bit more I dotting and T crossing to complete. Stay tuned.

So, what is Wednesday's hullabaloo all about? Since Donovan and manager Bruce Arena will be there, it’s safe to speculate that a new deal could be announced that would tie up the current league MVP for a few more years. (Updated ... yep ... here 'tis.)

So, good on him for that. I’ll have a piece up at ESPN Soccernet later today (updated: the piece is here) that begins to ask and answer some questions attached to Donovan’s high-profile lease agreement with Everton. In the meantime, here’s something to ponder:

Say what you want about the style and quality of soccer (er, football) in England. But who can doubt this: supporters there appreciate performance. Combine steady production with effort and the supporters on the British Isles will surely raise a glass to you. Unlike U.S. Soccer supporters, they aren’t overly caught up in big-picture issues of best case scenarios for player development and global regard and such.

Let’s say for argument’s sake that Donovan “tears this mutha up.” Let’s say the good fans in England nod their heads and concede that this Yank is pretty darn good. Let’s say they adopt him in the way they have adopted Tim Howard, Brad Friedel, Brian McBride, Clint Dempsey (to an extent) and others, tipping their hat, perhaps a bit begrudgingly, and acknowledging their respect.

That might mean that Donovan would be the recipient of more respect in England than in his own homeland, where the man is a three-time MLS Cup winner, the all-time leading U.S. men’s national team scorer and a six-time U.S. Honda Player of the Year.

How ironic, eh?