MLS notes

GOOD RIDDANCE

Landon Donovan's return to San Jose went about as expected — not good.

Donovan, who played in San Jose for five seasons, was emphatically booed every time he touched the ball as the Quakes manhandled Donovan's new team, the Los Angeles Galaxy, 3-0 on Saturday.

Donovan was the main attraction in San Jose for five years, leading the team to titles in 2001 and 2003. At the end of the 2004 season, he said adios to Major League Soccer to join Bayern Leverkusen of the German Bundesliga.

After three unproductive and unhappy months overseas, Donovan was ready to return to MLS, assuming the league placed him in his native Los Angeles.

That did not sit well with Quakes fans, who no doubt felt betrayed by Donovan.

A FAMILIAR FACE

Manchester United defender Jonathan Spector, who grew up in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, was on hand to watch Sunday's Real Salt Lake at Chicago Fire match.

Afterward, the 19-year-old hammed it up with several familiar faces.

During Spector's stint with the Under-17 U.S. National Team Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla., his two coaches were current RSL coaches John Ellinger and Peter Mellor. Salt Lake rookie Jamie Watson was also a U-17 teammate of Spector.

Following Sunday's loss, Spector caught up with his former coaches and teammates for nearly a half hour.

Still just a teenager, Spector is quickly becoming not only one of the best defenders in the United States, but he's starting to emerge as a top-tier defender in the English Premier League.

AN OPPORTUNITY MISSED

Somewhere, Alecko Eskandarian is cursing.

On Monday, U.S. National Team coach Bruce Arena added D.C. United forward Santino Quaranta to his roster for next month's CONCACAF Gold Cup. While Eskandarian is no doubt excited for his D.C. teammate, he can't help but feel like Quaranta is taking his spot.

The United forward, who was last year's MLS Cup MVP, began the season with a ton of promise and a regular spot in coach Peter Nowak's starting lineup.