Galaxy says Landon Donovan will return March 15, unless . . .

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Dismissing speculation in England that forward Landon Donovan might extend his loan spell with Everton of the English Premier League (see earlier post), the Galaxy on Friday said the U.S. national team star would return to Los Angeles in two weeks.

‘We’re not interested,’ Bruce Arena, the Galaxy’s coach and general manager, said of a possible extension to Donovan’s 10-week loan. ‘Landon will be back here March 15. We’re being consistent with everything we’ve said all along.’

The Galaxy opens its 15th Major League Soccer season at home on March 27 against the New England Revolution, unless the players decide to strike because their collective bargaining agreement with MLS has expired and no new agreement has been reached.

In that case, the Donovan scenario could change, Arena told MLS.net.

‘Obviously, the collective bargaining could change that,’ Arena said. ‘If we don’t have a league going on, we would certainly entertain the idea of allowing Landon to stay there.

‘If we have a league, Landon’s going to be playing for the Galaxy.’

-- Grahame L. Jones