HARRISON, New Jersey, July 15, 2010 (AFP) – Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber said Thursday the US league plans to keep Landon Donovan on home soil.

The LosAngeles Galaxy midfielder scored three goals at the World Cup in South Africa to become the USA's career leader with five.

He agreed in December to a four-year contract with MLS that pays him a base salary this year of more than two million dollars.

MLS loaned Donovan to Everton for 10 weeks in January. But Garber, in Harrison to attend the press conference introducing Thierry Henry as the New York Red Bulls' newest player, said MLS can't do without their homegrown hero.

"MLS needs soccer heroes, and we have a great American soccer hero playing for us in LA, holding the torch for the sport in our country, and that's very important," Garber said.

Everton and English Premiership rivals Manchester City have been reported to be interested in Donovan.

"Right now, I want to be in America," Donovan said upon his return to the Galaxy after the World Cup. "If there is something serious to look at, then I will. I never say never to anything. But for now, I'm very excited to be home."