First the Goners:
*Germany is out of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup after losing 1-0 to the U.S. today on a Sydney Leroux strike. The UCLA forward added to her tournament-leading goal total, which now stands at five. The U.S. plays North Korea in Sunday’s final.

*Landon Donovan has gone from the Galaxy on loan to Bayern Munich until March 15, according to the German club’s Web site. From the Galaxy: silence.

*Alleged striker Roberto Nurse has left Chivas USA for good, according to Spanish-language Web site Mediotempo. Colleague Luis Bueno helpfully translates Nurse’s whining comments on his Web site here. From Chivas USA: silence.

(Updated: Chivas USA officials confirmed Friday afternoon that Nurse was informed his option for next season would not be picked up).

I must respectfuly disagree with Luis’ assertion that Nurse should have got more of an opportunity here, though.

Nurse started all of two games for Chivas USA, produced just three shots on target and looked hopelessly ill-equipped to handle MLS. The moral of the story: fringe top-flight players in Mexico’s top league are not good enough for MLS, something Chivas USA should have learned in their inaugural season.

Meanwhile, former Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan was between the posts as EPL club Aston Villa slumped to a 2-1 defeat in the UEFA Cup at the hands of lightly-regarded Slovakian side MSK Zilna. However, Villa still progressed to the next round on aggregate and Guzan wasn’t to blame for either goal from the reports I’ve seen.

Lastly, the Galaxy has relaunched its Spanish-language Web site lagalaxfutbol.com. More upgrades are in the works.