MLS Fan Central

The juice: Hopeful MLS fans are keeping a close watch on Andriy Shevchenko's fallout with Chelsea. According to The Daily Express, Shevchenko hopefuls have something to talk about again. It appears as if Chelsea is not only ready to listen to offers for Shevchenko, but the club also is prepared to take a massive loss on the Ukrainian international.

However, for MLS fans, the good news doesn't end there. Shevchenko's wife, who is American, has apparently told him that if he does not choose to return to Stamford Bridge, then she would prefer him to follow in the footsteps of Beckham and return to the USA with a lucrative deal in the MLS to wind down his career. So how big of a role is the superstar's wife playing in his decision? Well, Shevchenko's original club, Dinamo Kiev, has requested his return, but his wife has already frowned on that transfer, proving she has a bigger role in the decision that we previously thought.

The judge: Shevchenko does not want to leave Chelsea. He is working hard to repair his relationship with the club, and clearly would prefer to finish his contract there before making a transfer. However, his playing time continues to dwindle and the bench is becoming his best friend. New York and New England are knocking at his door, and his wife seems to be pulling for a new home back in the States.

This news is better than it has been in the past for MLS hopefuls, but I still think Shevchenko is a long way away from a transfer to America. His contract will still demand too much for an MLS team to sign him, and the fact that he desires to remain in England tells me that he won't settle for less if he doesn't have to. An MLS team will essentially have to offer Shevchenko the Beckham treatment to draw his interest, which I think is far fetched.

Final thoughts: I don't think we will be seeing Shevchenko in an MLS uniform anytime soon. However, God bless his wife, let's hope she gets real homesick and convinces her husband to make a move to the States. From now on, Mrs. Shevchenko is our new best friend...