BY PATRICK MacDONALD

It’s been a week and a half since the L.A. Galaxy hoisted the MLS Cup for the second year in a row. It’s also a week and a half since a proud moment for Landon Donovan was overshadowed thanks to his role as Debbie Downer.

The American star continued to talk about being spent, needing to take some time away from the game, and even used the pesky word “r” word – retirement – though he’ll only be 31 in March. The fact is, Donovan isn’t fooling anyone. Maybe he does want to spend some time with his family, but he’s not going to retire.

He only has one course of action that will solve all his motivational issues; that’s to finally make a permanent transfer out of MLS to Everton.

Moving to Everton makes sense for all parties involved; MLS, L.A., Everton, and Donovan himself.

Landon Donovan has accomplished all he possibly can in MLS. He has won 5 MLS Cups and scored 124 goals – more than cementing his name as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, players in MLS history. There is absolutely nothing left to play for in the States. Moving to Everton should reignite that fire in his belly. He knows he can play at the EPL level, having proven it twice in the last 3 years. On top of that, Everton currently finds itself sitting in 4th place in the Premier League which is good enough for Champions League qualification.

Which brings us to why this move is good for Everton. If there is any criticism of the Merseyside squad, it’s that it has drawn far too many matches this season. Donovan would provide an instantaneous spark to the offense that could immediately change many of those draws into wins, further ensuring a place in 2013-2014 European play. Not too mention, Everton probably has a favor to cash in with MLS after letting Tim Cahill go for so cheap last summer.

Which brings us to why it’s good for MLS. Not only does it show them following through on a sign of good faith to European clubs, but does the league really want it’s most marketable star sitting on the sidelines pouting and talking retirement throughout the 2013 season? It’s hard to spin the quality and greatness of your league when your biggest star looks miserable on a Championship side.

And speaking of that Championship team, with one year left on Donovan’s deal, it makes all the sense in the world for the Galaxy to ship Donovan off to where he really wants to be which is undoubtedly Everton. Get what you can and move on. Besides, with David Beckham already retiring from MLS, having two DP slots available and cash to fill them is probably one of the best possible rebuilding positions to be in. The Galaxy could lose two of the best players in the history of MLS, be able to replace them, and not skip a beat.

Sure, Donovan can do all the soul searching he wants and possibly miss out on the winter transfer window, but he’d only be doing himself a disservice when the solution is so obvious and clear. Donovan has to move to the EPL or this “retirement” saga is going to drag on for another year.

Time to trade in the Galaxy white for the permanent Toffee blue and end this nonsense.