By Mark Vincent Lincir

So I won't be seeing Landon live when the USMNT heads to Phoenix to play Venezuela in late January. Instead, the Socal native is headed to ENGLAND to ply his trade for a couple of months with EVERTON!

It's interesting that Landon is going somewhere he has already been and is very comfortable...wow, that doesn't fit his M.O. at all, does it?

Somebody asked me the other day why I hate Landon so much? I don't hate him at all...I don't even know him. But my rationale is that if he supposedly is the best player the U.S. has ever produced he SHOULD BE ABLE to have a successful career in the best league in the world. Which, no offense to Major League Soccer, it is NOT.

To follow logic, the best player we have ever produced should be able to make a good team in Europe...and stay there, for a prolonged period of time (more than eight weeks)...to prove his worth to the rest of the world.

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Landon has NEVER done that. Brian McBride has...Kasey Keller has...Claudio Reyna has...Brad Friedel has...and Clint Dempsey is currently doing that...just to name a few.

Yes, Landon has done well in MLS and has scored some timely goals for the USMNT...but he HAS not proven himself in Europe for any length of time. Could he do well over there season after season?

Many people think so, based on his stint with Everton...but the reality is that he HAS NOT done it. So it can't be said that he has...been a success in Europe.

Landon has always been about doing what is best for him and I don't blame him, but should our younger players emulate him and seek comfort over global success and respect?

If you want to prove yourself as the best American football player in the world, you play in the NFL...best basketball player you come to the NBA and face Kobe and LeBron...hockey its still the NHL and soccer...well, arguably for now...it's the Barclays Premier League.

Landon has chosen the comfort and money of MLS and that is fine...just don't proclaim that he has conquered Europe by heading over there a couple of times to fill in his days off during winter break.

Another year or two and his options to head to Europe will most likely be over and he can then focus on simply playing in MLS until he's 45 years old (remember Preki won the MVP award at 41!)...so Landon has plenty of time stateside.

But his time has basically run out on ever being able to say that he had a successful run against the best players in the world. That is what a player should ultimately be judged on. Landon couldn't do it...Clint is doing it. You tell me; who's the better player? I know what my answer is.

Happy Holidays!

Mark Vincent Lincir’s book A SOCCER LIFE IN SHORTS is available at www.amazon.com in paperback and digital format. Amazon Prime Members can borrow it for FREE!

HAVE YOUR SAY…Does Donovan need a permanent move to Premier League to prove he is the best U.S. player ever? What do you think he should do in regards to European football? Or should he stick to his current thinking and stay with MLS for his entire career? Talk soccer below.