HDC Roster Moves

Judging by their most recent roster Chivas USA has begun pruning its fringe players, including those named in the recent waiver draft such as Red & White original Orlando Perez and Honduran Ramon Nunez. MLS veteran and former U.S. international defender Carlos Llamosa, who spent most of this year injured, has retired, as expected.

Contrary to a report Wednesday, however, highly rated Mexican midfielder Panchito Mendoza remains on the roster and has not returned to motherclub CD Guadalajara, Chivas USA spokesman Keegan Pierce said. Mendoza’s status remains up in the air.

Over at the Galaxy, 19-year-old Egyptian winger Ahmed Mamdouh will apparently go on trial with the team.

In addition, globe trotting veteran defender Abel Xavier, who missed the Galaxy’s tour of Australia and New Zealand through injury, officially remains with the team – at least for now – contrary to recent rumors.

“He’s in Portugal with an injured knee,” said club spokesman Patrick Donnelly. “Hes still with us. Obviously there are plenty of decisions our new head coach has to make. He hasnt seen him play in person.”

Neither, for the most part, have Galaxy fans. So far Xavier has been a high-priced disappointment and appears to be showing his age in the center of defense.

Meanwhile, contrary to one English tabloid report David Beckham did not sustain a broken rib he supposedly played with against the Wellington Phoenix, although he did have a precautionary scan, the Galaxy confirmed.

The Galaxy announced Wednesday, by the way, that the two games against Sydney and Wellington will belatedly air on Fox Soccer Channel at 8 p.m. Tuesday and 5 p.m. Dec. 19 respectively. FSC couldn’t have got its act together sooner to show these games live?

Speaking of Beckham, he shows up at 10 tonight on Barbara Wa-Wa’s “The 10 Most Fascinating (shouldn’t that be over-exposed?) People of 2007” on ABC.

And ambassador Becks stands ready to help England land the 2018 World Cup.

Bruins-Trojans showdown

The women’s NCAA Tournament semifinal between USC and UCLA will air live at 4 p.m. Friday on ESPNU.

Here are previews from the Daily Bruin and Daily Trojan.

Youth is Served

U.S. Soccer has posted a photo gallery of the U.S. Men’s U-23 National Team camp under way at the HDC.

Fox Soccer Channel will air three games in four days the U.S. Under-17 Men’s (shouldn’t that be boys?) National Team is playing at the 2007 Development Academy Nike Friendlies.

First up live at noon today is the game against Russia; the game against Brazil airs at 11:30 a.m. Saturday; and the U.S. finishes at 5 p.m. Sunday against Turkey in a game shown on same day delay.

Finally, the local prep season is gearing up.