Holiday Gift Guide: Replica Jerseys

But I’m not talking just any old replica jerseys; I’m talking autographed, and, in some cases, game worn jerseys like these.

This is the perfect solution for the soccer fan in your life if, like me, you’re having a little trouble getting into the holiday spirit this year. After all, the proceeds benefit U.S. Soccer’s charitable foundation, while as of this writing, some of these jerseys in the auction aren’t costing much more than a regular replica jersey would anyway sans autographs.

For instance, there’s a Chivas USA jersey autographed by their conference semifinal squad for $75; a game worn Eddie Johnson autographed FC Dallas jersey with a starting bid of $85 – those are pretty good prices even given the extra $10 you have to bid. Bidding ends Monday.

Want some other gift ideas that will help you feel a little better about yourself? Then click here.

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Thursday Kicks

Briefly:
*Loyola Marymount sophomore Rafael Baca of Lawndale was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Far West Region Third Team, the first Lion to receive the honor since Bobby Burling and Diego Barrera in 2006. He has led LMU in scoring the last two years.

*Long Beach State sophomore midfielder Lindsay Bullock of Manhattan Beach and senior midfielder Hayley Bolt of Lakewood were named to the NSCAA/adidas All-West Region second-team and third-team respectively. Bullock led the team with 10 goals, while Bolt had nine.

*There’s still time to register for the Ventura County Fusion tryouts on Saturday and Sunday.

*Finally, (and trivially) check out how hung David Beckham is here.

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Galaxy Chasing Jamaican Goalkeeper

A reliable source has told 100 Percent Soccer the Galaxy are in negotiations with Jamaican National Team goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.

The 31-year-old veteran of the English league is currently playing for a Jamaican team after being refused a work permit. He was subsequently released by lower division team Bradford City.

Galaxy officials declined comment, but did not deny the team was eying Ricketts, a veteran of the 1998 World Cup.

The big 6 foot 4 inch keeper is currently playing for his country in the Caribbean Football Union’s Digicel Caribbean Championship, where he was blamed for conceding the tying goal after failing to hold onto a ball in a 1-1 draw Monday against Trinidad & Tobago.

The team is believed to be in search of an veteran (but relatively inexpensive) starter after seeing the inexperienced Steve Cronin and Josh Wicks share time between the posts last season behind a leaky defense (to put it mildly).

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Sigi Leaves Crew

As expected. Details.

Updated 8:55 a.m. Wednesday

Confirmed.

And I heard from Sigi in an e-mail that backs up the Dispatch story: “I am on hold as to signing a new contract with anyone else,” he wrote.

More later.

Updated: 1:15 p.m. Wednesday
MLS officials declined comment today on the tampering allegations the Crew has reportedly filed against the Sounders over unauthorized contact with Schmid.

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Tuesday Wrap: Becks and Bobby

Is it wrong to take a certain amount of glee in this first story?

Maybe, but it looks like Galaxy fans weren’t the only ones not to get value for money from David Beckham and the Galaxy this season.

Meanwhile, this hardly qualifies as news, but the amazing thing about this story is that Becks has yet to kick a ball for AC Milan yet – he isn’t even in Italy until Dec. 20 – and yet officials there are already getting misty-eyed over his short stay and want it to be longer. Knew that was coming didn’t you?

Finally, Chivas USA defender Bobby Burling had ankle surgery last week to remove bone spurs, the club announced today. The Loyola Marymount University product is out up to eight weeks, meaning he should return “around the time” Chivas USA reconvenes for preseason in February, club officials said. He started 18 games for the team last season.

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Tuesday’s Column: U.S. Women’s Coach Sundhage a Rejuvenator

The re-emergence of the U.S. Women’s National Team was one of the soccer stories of the year and I took a closer look ahead of Saturday’s game again China at Home Depot Center in today’s column.

As usual, not all the material I collected made into the column for space reasons, so here’s some bonus quotes.

Here’s Shannon Boxx on the greater responsibility she had getting involved with attacks under Sundhage:

“I had a different role this year and it was really fun to learn. … I was more offensive than I’ve ever been on this team, so I think there’s lots of things I can improve on.

“It is fun to change your game. … You want to grow every year you play … Granted I’ve always come forward, but I’ve always been that last runner coming forward. … Sometimes I get in that position (in front of goal) and I say ‘what do I do?’ because I’m not used to it.”

Here’s Aly Wagner on this year’s Olympic experience compared to 2004:

“I was one of the last players picked so I was just so grateful to be there and be part of the team. And I knew my role was to be ready when called upon as opposed to before when I was involved heavily going into the Olympics. There was something very rewarding for me in the process (of) just getting back.”

And here’s Wagner on the prospect of playing with Marta for the Sol:

“I think Marta is the best player in the world and I’m really excited to see what she trains like. … I’m excited to play with her because she reads the game extremely well and serving balls into her runs is going to be fun. I love her flair and passion for the game. I’m excited to learn from her and, maybe, teach her a few things.”

Correction: And apologies to Kristine Lilly, whose name I managed to misspell in the column after writing her name, oh, three jillion times in the last few years.

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Victorious Toros Return Home Today

Photo: John Alexovich

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Ever wanted to mob a national championship winning team at an airport?

You have your chance at LAX today.

The Cal State Dominguez Hills men’s soccer team returns to Southern California at 5:45 p.m. today when they get off Southwest Flight 2781 at Terminal 1, a day after beating Dowling University 3-0 in Tampa to become NCAA Division II national champions.

It was Coach Joe Flanagan’s second national title with CSUDH:

“This was more satisfying because I realize now how tough it is to get back,” he said. “This one, we made some adjustments along the way, and to see them come together at the end of season during our unbeaten streak was phenomenal to watch.”

I’m guessing they’re still wearing these smiles, too.

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Triple Championship Sunday

Two national titles and one world championship for teams and players from Southern California in one day?

Believe it.

Not only did Cal State Dominguez Hills win a second national championship earlier today, but Rolling Hills Estates’ Whitney Engen went the full 90 as North Carolina came from behind to beat Notre Dame 2-1 today in the NCAA Women’s College Cup.

To top things off, North Korea couldn’t stop Bruin Sydney Leroux from getting her tournament-leading fifth goal of the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup and the U.S. duly won 2-1 to take the title in Chile.

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Cal State Dominguez Hills: National Champions

A dominating 3-0 win today over Dowling State gave Cal State Dominguez Hills the Division II national championship.

“This team definitely peaked at the right time,” said Coach Joe Flanagan on national television, as he held a photograph of former player Jaret Minami, who died just before the season began. “We played our best soccer in the last three weeks of the season.”

It’s the second national title in eight years for Flanagan and the Toros.

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