All of which means Donovan will be kept jumping between teams throughout the year, something that is considerably easier to do if he is in, say, Los Angeles as opposed to Leverkusen.
In light of all these complications, does Donovan believe he made a mistake in going to Germany at age 16?
"I don't think he would say that," Motzkin said. "He's learned a lot and I think he would say he's had an incredible experience. He's learned more as an 18-year-old about the realities of life than people who go to four years of college.
"Certainly, it's helped his professional development to get to where he is right now. But to get to where he needs to go, he needs to move somewhere where he's on the first team.
"I think it's an interesting lesson for young American players. You've got to look at every player in terms of their emotional, physical and intellectual maturity before deciding what's the right choice.
"There are a lot of factors involved, not just on the field. Being a young person overseas by yourself can also be lonely. For every player it's going to be a different answer."
Motzkin said he believes Donovan's immediate future will be resolved by the end of this month.
The teenager's long-term future, meanwhile, remains a story waiting to unfold.
