February 2010 Archives

Busy today so I'll keep this brief:

*The USWNT beat Norway 2-1 today at the Algarve Cup and plays Sweden Sunday Monday with a berth in the championship game on the line. More details here.

*Chivas USA single game tickets for the upcoming MLS season went on sale today starting at $15. Galaxy single game tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Monday; their cheapest seat is $20.

*Here's one for Fantasy Island. David Beckham could have played for the world's oldest club, England's Notts County, now languishing in the lower divisions and almost penniless. Apparently Beckham is available in October. Read more here.

*Mexico has announced its roster for Wednesday's game against New Zealand at the Rose Bowl:

goalkeepers - Luis Ernesto Michel (CD Guadalajara), Jonathan Orozco (Monterrey)

defenders - Efraín Juarez (UNAM), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven), Francisco Javier Rodriguez (PSV Eindhoven), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Hector Moreno (Az Alkmaar), Rafael Márquez (FC Barcelona)

midfielders - Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (UNAM), Andres Guardado (La Coruña), Jonathan Dos Santos (FC Barcelona), Luis Miguel Noriega (Puebla) Braulio Luna (San Luis)

forwards - Aldo Jesus De Nigris (Monterrey), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Javier Hernandez (CD Guadalajara), Giovanni Dos Santos (Galatasaray), Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Veracruz)

*Click to the right for complete TV listings; sadly no Landon Donovan on TV this weekend, but if you like drama don't miss Chelsea-Manchester City at 4:30 a.m. Saturday on ESPN2 where we'll see if Wayne Bridge and John Terry go in studs up if the two tackle each other.

*Fox Soccer Plus replaces Sentanta Monday. The channel announced Friday it has reached carriage agreements with DIRECTV, DISH Network, Time Warner Cable, and Verizon FiOS.

*Finally, wanna see even more EPL on U.S. TV? It could happen: LONDON (AP) -English Premier League channels are set to start broadcasting across the world next season when a new 24-hour service is launched, a league executive with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Friday.

The league will provide a continuous international feed of programing for broadcast rights holders outside Britain to form their own Premier League channels, the executive said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because a public announcement is yet to be made.

International broadcasters are set to pay around $1.6 billion to show live Premier League matches for the three seasons starting in August 2010 - an 80 percent increase on the current TV deal.

Local networks will be able to pick and choose content from the league's official feed, which will include news and feature shows along with classic matches. The networks will be able to include local advertising and live matches.

While it is a de facto Premier League TV channel, the continuous feed officially is being called a "content service" so that it doesn't impede the ability of clubs, including Manchester United and MUTV, to sell their own channels around the world.

It will be run by Premier League Productions, a joint venture between the league and TWI, the sports production part of International Management Group. The Premier League is searching for a recognizable anchor to be the face of the content

Bottom line: No strike - yet.

From MLS.

From the players union.

The 20-player roster for the March 3 game:

goalkeepers - Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton)

defenders - Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

midfielders - DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Landon Donovan (Everton), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), José Torres (Pachuca)

forwards - Jozy Altidore (Hull City), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)

Considering this is a FIFA-designated international game date and the final contest before U.S. Coach Bob Bradley names his 23-player World Cup squad this is a pretty good indication of who is likely to go to South Africa.

And don't forget, the likes of Ricardo Clark, Charlie Davis, Clint Dempsey, Benny Feilhaber and Oguchi Onyewu are all out injured.

Have such players as Robbie Rogers, Sacha Kljestan and Brian Ching seen their chance of making the squad evaporate?

Notable: Johnson only played 75 minutes in two appearances as sub for the USMNT last year and Bedoya, who earned his first U.S. MNT cap against Honduras in January, must have impressed Bradley at the HDC camp. Simek hasn't made a national team appearance since 2007.

Quotable:

"This is the final match before we bring the team together for the World Cup, so to have a match against one of the top teams in the world like the Netherlands is a big benefit and a good challenge for our group," Bradley said. "They are expecting a large crowd to turn out for the game, and we are looking forward to an exciting atmosphere in Amsterdam."

The U.S. is 0-3 against the Netherlands.

FIFA is seeking to avoid desolate scenes like this at Cape Town's Green Point Soccer Stadium during the World Cup (AP Photo).

Can things get any worse for FIFA as fans around the globe stay away from South Africa because of price gouging, rampant crime and crummy transportation?

Yes:

JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- World Cup organizers are more than doubling the number of tickets priced for working-class South Africans, amid indications wealthy foreigners aren't snapping up seats.

Only 11 percent of tickets had been set aside for citizens of the host country at about $20 each, far less than the price of other tickets. That number has increased to 29 percent, said Danny Jordaan, chief executive of the South African organizing committee.

"You have to take into account that (soccer) fans in South Africa are working-class people of low income," Jordaan said.

Labor unions and the media pressed Jordaan to make more low-cost tickets available. Half of South Africans live in poverty, and at least a quarter of the nation's work force is
unemployed.

Other steps taken to make soccer's premier event accessible to those hosting it include
distributing 120,000 free tickets through sponsors like Coca-Cola, and giving more free
tickets to the men and women who built the stadiums.

"We have made this commitment that the tournament will be affordable," Jordaan said.

The CEO added he would not be able to determine until all the tickets had been sold what effect the larger percentage of inexpensive tickets would have on his bottom line.

"We are comfortable we have enough money, more than enough, to deliver," he said.

FIFA acknowledged this month that only half of the VIP tickets for spots in luxury booths had been sold, which organizers blamed on the global recession.

FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke, who joined Jordaan on Thursday following an organizing committee board meeting, said 2.24 million of 2.9 million total tickets had been sold.

Officials said other matters discussed at the board meeting included concerns about the
readiness of some stadiums. Drainage problems were discovered at the stadium in Nelspruit, in eastern South Africa, and a special committee has been formed to monitor the playing surface in all 10 facilities.

Valcke said that while work remained outside the main Johannesburg stadium, where parking lots and access roads are not complete, the field itself is impressive.

"There could be a game tomorrow morning," Valcke said of Soccer City, which will host the opening match and final. "From the inside, this stadium looks beautiful."

South Africa has faced persistent questions about whether a developing country can pull off a World Cup, and officials have just as persistently insisted they would be ready for the June 11 opener.

"The work goes on," Jordaan said, "and the next two weeks are quite critical."

Meanwhile, the England team is in increasing turmoil ahead of its World Cup opener against the U.S. with it now appearing the Brits have as many problems at left back as the Americans:

LONDON (AP) -- A bridge too far?

Wayne Bridge is refusing to play for England in the wake of teammate John Terry's alleged affair with his former partner, saying Thursday that his presence on the World Cup squad could be "divisive."

Wayne's world crashed when former friend John Terry got too friendly with Bridge's now former partner (AP Photo).

Coach Fabio Capello expected Bridge to play for England after stripping Terry of the captaincy when details of his affair with Vanessa Perroncel were published. The announcement by Bridge creates problems with team selection and harmony three months before South Africa.

"It has always been an honor to play for England," Bridge said in a statement released by his lawyers. "However, after careful thought I believe my position in the squad is now untenable and potentially divisive."

After weeks of lurid headlines about his players -- including first-choice left back Ashley Cole -- Capello spoke Tuesday of the need to restore unity in the locker room.

However, Bridge is apparently unable to forge a professional relationship with Terry. The rift could be on display Saturday if the pair don't shake hands in the pre-match formalities at Stamford Bridge when Manchester City plays Chelsea, the club that Bridge left last year.

Terry's presence could also cause friction with England teammates aware that his alleged affair with the mother of Bridge's child forced his one-time friend to miss the World Cup.

Expressing sadness at his decision, Bridge's statement continued: "I feel for the sake of the team and in order to avoid what will be inevitable distractions, I have decided not to put myself forward for selection. ... I have today informed the management of this decision. I wish the team all the very best in South Africa."

England's soccer association has supported Capello to ensure the fallout from the Terry-Bridge saga doesn't affect the squad at the World Cup.

"If you want to have great team spirit then you need someone who can manage that and we have the world's best in Fabio dealing with these difficult decisions," FA chief executive Ian Watmore told Talk Sport radio. "Fabio has to judge what's best for team spirit. We won't win in South Africa if we don't have that. But we should have confidence that we will have it."

An immediate issue for Capello is filling the left back slot for Wednesday's friendly against Egypt, with first-choice Cole recovering from a broken ankle and uncertain whether he will be fit for England's World Cup opener against the United States on June 12.

"It leaves Capello with no tried and tested left backs, and that causes a slight problem,"
said former England defender Danny Mills, who played at the 2002 World Cup. "Ashley Cole, if all being well and his recovery time is as quick as we think it might be, might make it back for the end of the season.

"But it won't take an awful lot of that to be delayed slightly and for him to miss out too, so
that makes this friendly and the next few England games very, very important."

Capello will use Wednesday's match to audition others in the position with the likeliest
candidates being Leighton Baines and Stephen Warnock.

Baines is yet to appear for the England senior side but has impressed for Everton this season, while Warnock's only international experience amounts to six minutes as a substitute against Trinidad and Tobago in June 2008.

Americans can't do any gloating though. MLS was formed, in part, to not only develop the sport in this country, but the U.S. National Team. How will a MLS strike help that cause?

Read more here:

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Brian Ching is worried a possible Major League Soccer strike could hurt the chance of U.S.-based players to make the World Cup roster.

"If we're not playing games week in and week out, that puts us at a big disadvantage," Ching said Wednesday night after helping the U.S. rally past El Salvador 2-1 in an exhibition. "Hopefully, it doesn't happen."

Ching scored on a diving header in the 75th minute and assisted on Sacha Kljestan's go-ahead goal in the second minute of stoppage time.

All but one of the U.S. players was from MLS, which appears to be on the verge of its first strike, and for many it was their last chance to impress coach Bob Bradley before he selects his 23-man U.S. roster. The Americans again badly missed their Europe-based starters, who also weren't used in the 3-1 loss to Honduras on Jan. 23.

Chivas USA's Jonathan Bornstein said the potential shutdown should not be the focus.

"It's something we'll take in stride if it were to happen," Bornstein said. "We're all
professionals here. We all know what it's going to take, should something happen, to stay in shape and do what we have to do. Should it happen, we'll hit it head on when the time comes."

The 14th-ranked U.S. outshot No. 71 El Salvador 18-3 with the "B" team. If there is an MLS strike, Bradley will adjust training plans ahead of the arrival of Europe-based players in mid-May.
"The only thing that I think matters from a national team standpoint is that we'll react
accordingly in terms of schedule, training, that kind of thing," he said.

Ching, Kljestan, Bornstein and Heath Pearce were among only a handful of U.S. players on the night's roster who appear to have a decent chance of being selected for the World Cup roster.

Ching was on the 2006 team but didn't get into a match.

Columbus Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers of Rolling Hills Estates is tackled by El Salvador's Juan Carlos Moscoso today in the penultimate U.S. game before Coach Bob Bradley selects his World Cup squad (AP Photo).

Chivas USA's Sacha Kljestan may have booked his spot to South Africa with the kind of opportunistic play Coach Bob Bradley will be looking for when he stole the ball late on from a dithering defender, played a one-two with Brian Ching and smashed the ball home to snatch a U.S. victory in stoppage time.

But for the third consecutive game against El Salvador, the U.S. had to come from behind to win and few players covered themselves with glory today.

Robbie Rogers showed poor decision-making ability when he shot instead of crossing in the second half as two U.S. attackers lurked in the box, earning him a withering look from Ching.

It was Ching's well-taken near-post header that gave the U.S. the equalizer.

Here's the game report:

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Without its Europe-based regulars, the U.S. appears far from ready for the World Cup.

Brian Ching scored on a diving header in the 75th minute and Sacha Kljestan got the go-ahead goal in the second minute of stoppage time Wednesday night in a 2-1 exhibition victory over against 71st-ranked El Salvador.

Ching, a second half sub, scored on a 7-yard shot off a long cross from Heath Pearce that goalkeeper Miguel Montes misplayed, offsetting Rudis Corrales' 59th-minute goal
for Los Cuscatlecos.

Kljestan intercepted an errant pass, exchanged passes with Ching and scored from 6 yards.

Ching, Kljestan and Pearce were among only a handful of U.S. players on the night's roster who appear to have a decent chance of being selected for the World Cup roster. Ching was on the 2006 team but didn't get into a match.

All but one of the U.S. players was from Major League Soccer, which appears to be on the verge of its first strike. The Americans again badly missed their Europe-based starters, who also weren't used in the 3-1 loss to Honduras on Jan. 23.

For next Wednesday's exhibition against the third-ranked Netherlands in Amsterdam, the No. 14 U.S. lineup should more closely resemble the team that helped the Americans qualify for their sixth straight World Cup. That is the last match before U.S. coach Bob Bradley selects his 23-man World Cup roster.

Players will gather in mid-May and have exhibitions against the Czech Republic (May 25) and Turkey (May 29 at Philadelphia) before leaving for South Africa. Coming off first-round elimination at the 2006 World Cup, they open the tournament June 12 against England, play Slovenia six days later and close the first round June 23 against Algeria.

Pearce started at left back and Brad Evans at right back, with Jonathan Bornstein and Clarence Goodson -- the lone Europe-based player -- in the center. Ching entered at the start of the second half in place of Conor Casey. Nick Rimando was surprise starter in goal in place of Troy Perkins.

Corrales put El Salvador ahead after Evans made an errant header deep in the U.S. zone that appeared intended for Rimando.

The U.S. had five shots on goal to one for El Salvador in the first half, with Montes making diving saves on Kljestan and Robbie Rogers.

Who from this game should make the World Cup roster? Ching? Rogers? Kljestan? Anyone?

The Galaxy's Landon Donovan sounds more than a mite interested in staying/returning to Everton: "Every day that goes by makes me think that I want to stay here," he told the Associated Press.

Full story here:

LIVERPOOL, England -- Landon Donovan expects to return to Everton in the future even though he will leave the Premier League club when his 10-week loan ends next month.

The United States midfielder was Everton's player of the month for January and has helped lift his new team from 12th place to eighth.

"I'm enjoying it and enjoying every day that I'm here," Donovan said. "Every day that goes by makes me think that I want to stay here. "I would definitely imagine that I will be back here at some point in my life."

The 28-year-old Donovan is due to head back to the Los Angeles Galaxy for the club's opening Major League Soccer game on March 27.

Fans have set up a Facebook group to promote keeping Donovan at Everton. It has attracted more than 3,900 fans since being created Feb. 12.

"I wasn't aware of that," Donovan said. "That's pretty funny. We'll see what happens."

Meanwhile, David Beckham didn't get off the bench today as AC Milan moved into second in Serie A with a last minute 2-1 victory over Fiorentina.

The Galaxy beat Colorado 2-0 in a scrimmage today in Arizona.

Chivas USA drew 1-1 and 0-0 in a pair of 60-minute scrimmages today with the Kansas City Wizards in Arizona. Mariano Trujillo got the goal in the first game.

Chivas USA lineup (first game) - Jon Conway, Carey Talley, Emilio Viades, Carlos Borja, Ante Jazic, Mariano Trujillo, Blair Gavin, Michael Lahoud, Jorge Flores, Maykel Galindo, Justin Braun

Chivas USA lineup (second game) - Dan Kennedy, Miguel Sanchez, Claudio Suárez, Yamith Cuesta, Kevin Tangney, Cesar Zamora, Mario Padilla (Jesus Ochoa 45), Ben Zemanski, Chris Ross, Chukwudi Chijindu, Artur Aghasyan

The U.S. Women's National Team won its Algarve Cup opener today.

Torrance's Shannon Boxx glides past Iceland's Rakel Honnu today in the two teams' Algarve Cup opener (AP Photo).

Finally, Scotland-based defender Steven Old has replaced injured captain Ryan Nelsen on New Zealand's roster for the March 3 World Cup warmup against Mexico at the Rose Bowl. The former D.C. United defender is out out four to six weeks after pulling muscles and bruising a knee Monday night during Blackburn's 3-0 Premier League win over Bolton, but should be fit by the World Cup.

The game starts at 4 p.m. on ESPN Classic.

With the U.S. never having lost to El Salvador on American soil (although the U.S. had to come from behind to win its two World Cup qualifiers over El Salvador) the suspense surrounding this game has less to do with the result than who will go to South Africa for those players on the bubble of making the roster including an improbable, but possible appearance by veteran Jeff Cunningham.

Just before the USMNT broke camp in Carson last weekend I asked Coach Bob Bradley about the significance of this game given that so few players involved are likely to be a part of the 23-player U.S. World Cup roster:

"The last time around we all know it wasn't what it needed to be; hopefully this will be a better performance," he said, referring to the disappointing 3-1 loss last month at Home Depot Center against Honduras. "Anybody who comes into a camp in a World Cup year understands the importance of doing well."

"It's a follow-up on everything that took place in January," he added. "It's another chance for guys to play, show where they are in this whole thing and it has helped so as we make decisions the following Wednesday we've got a good up close look at a core of players with the idea that some of them are going to be part of that squad. The timing of the second game this time was in conjunction with the game against Holland (March 3) so now we can balance off our roster, understand where we were with players in Europe and then look at players here and really have a good handle on exactly where they are as we make decisions."

I hadn't had the opportunity to speak with Bradley since the U.S. scheduled its last two World Cup warm-up games against the Czech Republic May 25 and Turkey May 29, so I asked him what the significance was in playing those two opponents in particular:

"The fact we are beginning our camp in the U.S. and felt if we could get a game or two in the U.S. (that) was important. Now you have to see what possibilities exists (in terms) of teams that will come to the U.S. But I do think that in both cases there are similarities with opponents, there are players on those teams I think are similar to different guys on teams that we'll play against (in the World Cup group stage), so I think not only are they good teams but it will help us prepare well."

Notable:

*Five players in the squad were part of the 18 who dressed when the USA last met El Salvador in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. Defenders Jonathan Bornstein and Chad Marshall played 90 minutes in the 2-1 win Sept. 5, midfielder Kyle Beckerman making a late appearance as a sub in front of his hometown crowd at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy while Brian Ching and Robbie Rogers didn't make it off the bench.

*Ten players on the roster boast fewer than 10 caps, while at the other end of the spectrum striker Brian Ching has the most with 43.

*The American roster was given in the first link above, but here's the roster for El Salvador. Chivas USA fans will have an added reason to watch this game closely - midfielder Osael Romero will join the club after the game and be presented at a press conference next Monday in Carson:

goalkeepers - Miguel Montes (Aguila), Dagoberto Portillo (F.A.S.)

defenders - Dennis Alas (Firpo), Alexander Escobar (Metapan), Marvin Gonzalez (F.A.S.), Mardo Henriquez (F.A.S.), Alfredo Pacheco (F.A.S.), Manuel Salazar (Firpo), Deris Umanzor (Aguila)

midfielders - Edgar Alvarez (San Jacinto College), Ramon Flores (F.A.S.), Josue Odir Flores (Metapan), Shawn Martin (Aguila), Juan Carlos Moscoso (F.A.S.), Osael Romero (Chivas USA), Ramon Sanchez (San Jose Earthquakes)

forwards Arturo Alvarez (San Jose Earthquakes), Rudis Corrales (Aguila), Andres Flores (Metapan)

Interim El Salvador Coach José Luis Rugamas will coach his first game in charge of the team; predecessor Carlos de los Cobos joined the Chicago Fire this season.

*Finally, here are the line-ups the last time these two nations met:
USA: 1-Tim Howard; 2-Jonathan Spector, 15-Chad Marshall, 3-Carlos Bocanegra (capt.), 12-Jonathan Bornstein; 8-Clint Dempsey , 5-Benny Feilhaber (16-Kyle Beckerman, 80), 4-Michael Bradley, 10-Landon Donovan; 9-Charlie Davies (7-Stuart Holden, 73), 17-Jozy Altidore (14-Jose Francisco Torres, 85)
Subs not used: 6-Steve Cherundolo, 11-Brian Ching, 13-Robbie Rogers, 18-Brad Guzan

El SALVADOR: 1-Miguel Montes; 3-Marvin González, 4-Mardoqueo Gonzalez, 12-Manuel Salazar, 13-Deris Umanzor; 5-Ramón Flores (14-William Reyes, 63), 6-Arturo Álvarez (8-Osael Romero, 50), 7-Ramón Sánchez (capt.), 10-Eliseo Quintanilla (9-Rudis Corrales, 75), 17-Christian Castillo; 11-Rodolfo Zelaya
Subs not used: 2-Alexander Escobar, 15-Alfredo Pacheco, 16-Denis Alas, 18-Dagoberto Portillo

It's looking more and more possible.

Tweeted Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl this morning: MLS strike? LA's Chris Klein: "I'm optimistic by nature...it's reached a stage now where I don't have that optimism."

And now, there's this, late this afternoon:

NEW YORK (AP) -- Negotiators for Major League Soccer players and owners failed to meet Tuesday, two days before the latest extension in their labor talks is due to expire.

With players failing to match management's no-lockout pledge with a no-strike offer, the
league's first work stoppage appears possible, one that could postpone the first game of the expansion Philadelphia Union and the official opening of Red Bull Arena.

Negotiators met Monday in Washington, D.C., before league officials returned to their New York office.

The league's first collective bargaining agreement expired Jan. 31, and the sides twice
extended bargaining, with the latest additional time running out Thursday. Players say they want increased free-agent rights and more guaranteed contracts.

While the league says it has offered a higher percentage of guaranteed deals, management says it cannot afford to increase free-agent rights within MLS when contracts expire.

MLS president Mark Abbott said last weekend the league will not lock out players and is
prepared to start the season under the terms and conditions of the expired five-year
contract.

While the league schedule opens March 25, when the expansion Philadelphia Union is at Seattle, Columbus hosts Toluca on March 9 in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League on March 9, then plays the second leg at the Mexican club eight days later.

CONCACAF, the regional governing body, isn't sure how it would deal with a strike, whether it would cause a postponement or a forfeit.

"We have a couple of choices," CONCACAF secretary general Chuck Blazer said Tuesday. "We could go back to the committee at that point and deal with it under extraordinary matters, since it hasn't been dealt with before. "I'm hoping it doesn't happen. It would be a sad thing for that to be the case. We're in the midst of building something for everybody, and we hope they would view it that way, as well. We would have to consider what we would do at the point in time when we are confronted with the actual facts."

The fortunes of the Galaxy's two on-loan stars have diverged during their respective European stints since the beginning of the year.

Read today's column here.

I chatted (briefly) to USMNT striker Brian Ching just as the team broke camp this weekend at Home Depot Center.

Question: How are you approaching this camp in a World Cup year when you are probably one of those players on the bubble to make the squad?
Answer: Any time you come into a camp where you're going to play a game for the national team you're always kind of being evaluated and judged. This camp is no different. Yes, it is a World Cup year, but I think throughout this camp I wanted to kind of get back into shape, get back into soccer fitness. And I felt that I did that - I'm coming together slowly - I don't think I'm exactly where I want to be just yet, but I'm hoping I get there by the beginning of our season first of all and then carry that through to the World Cup.

Q: What do you think you need to do to make the World Cup squad?
A: Score goals. Do the things I do, well. Help the team win. For me the biggest thing is not to try to do too much. Play within my means. Work hard both offensively and defensively, create chances and score goals. It's simple to say that and it basically comes down to that.

Q: How are you feeling physically?
A: I'd say I'm 75 to 80 percent. I'm getting closer (to match fitness). This camp really helped me out. The off-season this year was great for me. It gave me a long break and I kind of got that hunger and desire back, because that was a long couple of years with not much rest. ... I needed that little bit much longer of a break from soccer. And I used that time to work out with a buddy at a gym, try to get a litlte bit quicker, a little bit stronger, prepare my body for this year and a World Cup.

Also:

*Rolling Hills Estates' Robbie Rogers has the quote of the week:

"My dad doesn't know a thing about soccer and he's never played a minute in his life, but using my left foot was one thing he always wanted me to work on. We'd go to the park and he would just throw the ball to me and I'd use only my left foot."

Ouch.

Complete interview here.

*Much more about Galaxy training Monday than you ever wanted to know.

In 60 seconds or less.

The Galaxy shot blanks Sunday in Arizona, the USMNT decamped from Carson Sunday, David Beckham played all of nine minutes Sunday for AC Milan, while local high schools are increasingly losing players to the Chivas USA and Galaxy academies and negotiations between MLS and the players union over a new collective bargaining agreement took a turn for the worse over the weekend.

Also:
Chivas USA have headed to Arizona today as well, but beat San Diego Boca FC of the National Premier Soccer League twice at Home Depot Center Saturday, winning two 60-minute scrimmages by the score of 5-1 and 3-1 respectively.

Chivas USA lineup (first game) - Dan Kennedy, Ante Jazic, Carlos Borja, Emilio Viades, Carey Talley, Jorge Flores, Marcelo Saragosa, Blair Gavin, Mariano Trujillo, Justin Braun, Maykel Galindo

Goals:
SDB - 12'
CHV - Carlos Borja (Mariano Trujillo) 22'
CHV - Marcelo Saragosa (Trujillo) 27
CHV - Jorge Flores (Ante Jazic, Blair Gavin) 36'
CHV - Carey Talley (Trujillo) 38'CHV - Maykel Galindo (Trujillo) 58'

Chivas USA lineup (second game) - Jon Conway (Jose Manuel Miranda, 31), Kevin Tangney, Claudio Suárez, Yamith Cuesta, Miguel Sanchez, Amaury Nuñez (Jesus Ochoa 31), Ben Zemanski, Chris Ross, Cesar Zamora, Chukwudi Chijindu (Armando Ochoa 45), Artur Aghasyan

Goals:
CHV - Chukwudi Chijindu (unassisted) 12'
CHV - Artur Aghasyan (Chris Ross, Chijindu) 25'
CHV - Armando Ochoa (Kevin Tangney) 49'

Finally, a Chicago-based sports marketing company, Cardenas Marketing Network, has signed a four-year agreement with the Argentine Football Association to produce national team games in the U.S. and some European nations. The first game will take place in the U.S. after the World Cup.

"It is encouraging to know that Argentina will have a bigger presence in the U.S., where soccer continues to grow and where South Americans have played an important role," said Julio Grondona, President of AFA and Vice President of FIFA. "We hope that this influence will continue to develop and complement the great efforts, both on the field and off, that are already in place in today's fastest growing soccer market."

Mexico, of course, already plays a series of money-spinning games in the U.S. annually.

Darren Fletcher and Manchester United spent much of today chasing Landon Donovan and Everton with limited success (AP Photo).

And yeah I know he's only on-loan from the Galaxy so he can't exactly claim a leadership role with the Liverpool club, but Donovan was again outstanding for Everton in their landmark 3-1 win today over Manchester United.

Donovan should have put Everton up 2-1 about five minutes before halftime when a ball bounced off Wes Brown's hand in the six-yard box and fell beautifully for Donovan - who turned, fired and whiffed on the ball with the goal yawning in front of him.

Still, the lively Donovan started the move that led to Everton's go-ahead goal and the performance from the influential midfielder left Coach Bob Bradley suitably impressed as the U.S. Men's National Team wrapped up the final day of training camp in Carson.

"I thought that was a good solid game from Landon," Bradley said. "I think as a whole for Everton today it was a team effort, they have a good level of confidence of late.

"The key to the game was (Diniyar) Bilyaletdinov's goal so quickly after Man United scored. That put the game right back on even terms and that was really important.

"That's an interesting play," Bradley said of Donovan's missed opportunity for a second career Everton goal. "The ball comes in and he's jumping for the header and it just happens to fall down behind him. But the most important thing is the team has played well down the stretch and he's been a good solid part of the effort in every game. That's great for him and it says a lot for his confidence and that's what it's all about."

So does Bradley want Donovan to stay with Everton should an MLS lockout occur?

"I'm not going to touch that one," he said.

BTW, Bradley has named a 20-player party for Wednesday's game against El Salvador in Florida. Left out were Galaxy central defender Omar Gonzalez, former Galaxy goalkeeper (and the now apparently clubless) Kevin Hartman and the Philadelphia Union's Michael Orozco.

I'll have more from Bradley and striker Brian Ching a little later.

Any self-respecting Galaxy fan should crawl out of bed at 4:30 a.m. Saturday (or set up the DVR) to see what may be one of the most absorbing EPL games of the year so far from an American perspective - Landon Donovan (and Tim Howard) and Everton against the mighty Manchester United, Wayne Rooney and all. Best of all, it's on in HD on ESPN2.

Need more reasons to get psyched? Here's a selection of stories previewing the game (or focusing on Donovan) including:

*Sports Ilustrated's Grant Wahl on the potential implications for the Galaxy on Donovan's form (which I not coincidentally agree with completely) you can read here.

*The Daily Express on American soccer's (and Donovan's) search for respect.

*The game basics, including likely starting lineups, from the Guardian here.

*The Daily Telegraph's take on the game.

Other games I'll be keeping an eye on this weekend include:

*7 a.m. Saturday Fox Soccer Channel Wolves-Chelsea

*7 a.m. Sunday FSC Manchester City-Liverpool

*11:30 a.m. Sunday FSC Bari-AC Milan

The game will begin at 5 p.m. at Home Depot Center against Club Deportivo Águila, the current leaders of El Salvador's top division.

The Galaxy open their season six days after this final tune-up against the New England Revolution in Carson.

C.D. Águila is a 14-time league champion and one of El Salvador's most popular clubs.

"Águila are one of the best and most popular teams in El Salvador and we feel that they will provide a difficult challenge for our team while also attracting the extensive Salvadoran fan base throughout the Southland," said LA Galaxy President of Business Operations Tom Payne.

Tickets starting at $15 go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday.

This is the second preseason game the Galaxy has announced the club will play in Southern California.

The Galaxy will also play Costa Rica's Puntarenas F.C. March 10 at Titan Stadium in Fullerton.

CARSON (AP) -- Oguchi Onyewu returned Thursday to training with the U.S. national team for the first time since knee surgery Oct. 21.

The AC Milan defender, trying to get back into playing shape ahead of the World Cup, worked out for about 30 minutes as players prepared for next week's exhibition against El Salvador.

He participated in 5 vs. 2 and possession drills, U.S. team spokesman Michael Kammarman said.

Onyewu, a 27-year-old from Olney, Md., ruptured the patellar tendon in his left knee during the Americans' final World Cup qualifier, against Costa Rica on Oct. 14. At the time of surgery, the U.S. Soccer Federation medical staff estimated he would be able to resume training in March and be sidelined a total of six months.

Onyewu planned to train with the team again Friday and will remain in California for his
rehabilitation until he is ready to rejoin AC Milan, Kammarman said. The U.S. team -- all but one from Major League Soccer -- travels to Florida on Sunday for Wednesday's game. After that, Europe-based players will be added for a March 3 exhibition against the Netherlands in Amsterdam. That is the last match before U.S. coach Bob Bradley selects his 23-man World Cup roster.

Onyewu left Belgium's Standard Liege to sign with AC Milan last summer but he appeared in just one of the club's 10 competitive matches this season before getting hurt.

I was a guest on the Canadian show Wednesday night talking about the Galaxy.

Listen here.

It serves FIFA right, frankly.

Try to force people to pay for expensive packages through tour operators in a crap economy in a country where crime is rampant and this is what happens:

ZURICH (AP) -- Only half of the VIP tickets for the World Cup have been sold four months before soccer's biggest event kicks off in South Africa.

FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke said only 2.1 million tickets have been sold for the tournament, which has a capacity of 2.9 million.

The biggest problem has been with "hospitality" programs, where ticketing agencies make the bulk of their profits by selling spots in luxury booths at significantly higher prices.

Valcke blamed the disappointing performance in the VIP sector on the economic crisis.

Price gouging and security fears over South Africa are also causing many fans to forgo the World Cup.

Last year "was the worst period to sell hospitality programs," Valcke told reporters at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich. "I'm sure that it impacted at least by 50 percent the potential."

Valcke also said South Africa would not get 450,000 visitors as it had predicted. He said the number could be as low as 350,000, but he didn't have a precise estimate.

FIFA claims is has worked hard to make the World Cup more accessible.

Valcke said world soccer's governing body negotiated lower plane tickets with some airlines, bringing the price of a round-trip flight from New York to Johannesburg down to $2,000 during the World Cup from a normal charge of $3,000.

To prevent empty seats stadiums, seats once designated for traveling Europeans, Americans and other soccer supporters are being switched to a lower-price category for South Africans. This will hurt profits but will also help realize FIFA's goal of ensuring that at least a fifth of spectators at the tournament will be locals.

The lower ticket sales don't hurt FIFA because the organization reached a deal with marketing firm Match Services AG seven years ago for this World Cup and the next one in Brazil in 2014, Valcke said. South Africa's organizing committee has broken even.

Still, Valcke acknowledged that things would need to be changed at future World Cups.

One suggestion he said would surely be studied was selling tickets directly to fans, instead of through ticketing agencies. FIFA would then require ticketing booths around the world, Valcke said, which he said would be part of a new "flexible" approach to selling seats.

Valcke promised that the World Cup would be safe at all venues, and although he noted South Africa's crime problems, he said they couldn't compare in any way to the breakaway region of Angola where Togo's team was attacked last month at the African Cup of Nations.

To better ensure the safety of teams, fans and media, FIFA was organizing a meeting next month that brings together the police chiefs and heads of security from all 32 teams playing in South Africa.

Valcke also stressed that the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, slated to host the final, would be completed by March 15.

"It's not fun not to have your main stadium now," Valcke said.

Still want to go? Try this.

Galaxy playmaker Landon Donovan continues to rack up the awards wherever he goes.

More from the club's Web site here.

And while we're on the subject of present (and past) Galaxy players, here's an update on former Galaxy striker Herculez Gomez.

This legal battle doesn't affect Chivas USA, BTW.

This is the clearest explanation of this complex issue I've yet seen (a Goal.com story earlier this week that appeared translated from Spanish was virtually unintelligible), although the ramifications of this courtroom squabble isn't spelled out in this story either.

But, for what it's worth, here's the story:

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Owners past and present of Mexican side Chivas Guadalajara are engaged in a legal battle over the rights to use the club's name and trademarks.

An administrative court has ruled in favor of a group of former owners and has asked a federal court to follow its guidelines.

However, current owner Jorge Vergara, who bought the club in 2002 and changed its legal name, has said he retains ownership of the name and trademarks of the Chivas brand.

The complex case is likely to go to a higher court or be resolved in an agreement between the sides.

Former president Francisco Cardenas is arguing that the club's trademark still belongs to Club Deportivo Guadalajara AC. When Vergara bought the club, he changed its name to Club Deportivo Guadalajara SA de CV.

Vergera's lawyer, Leticia Ruiz, said the case brought by some of the former owners amounted to a publicity stunt.

"There will be no real legal ramifications," Ruiz said. "We will continue to use our
trademarks and nobody has the right to ask us to do otherwise."

Major League Soccer spokesman Dan Courtemanche said the case does not apply to Chivas USA.

"Chivas USA has protected its brand in the United States and Canada and is not involved with any of the legal proceedings in Mexico," Courtemanche said.

Glad that's cleared up, then.

Just a couple of weeks before the World Cup. Location TBA.

The game will be played four days after the U.S. meets Turkey in Philadelphia: PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The U.S. will play the Czech Republic in a World Cup warmup match May 25 before meeting Turkey four days later at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.

The site of the U.S.-Czech match was not announced Wednesday, but the U.S. Soccer Federation has discussed East Hartford, Conn., as a possible location for the opener of its World Cup send-off tour.

"We are very pleased to get two quality opponents in the Czech Republic and Turkey," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. "These games will provide a great opportunity to fine-tune our plans for the matches in South Africa and test ourselves against some of the better teams in Europe."

At the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the Czechs outplayed the Americans in the tournament opener for both teams, winning 3-0. In 1990, Czechoslovakia routed the U.S. 5-1 in the Americans' return to the World Cup following a 40-year absence.

The Czech Republic failed to advance to the 32-nation field for this year's World Cup in South Africa, finishing behind Slovakia and Slovenia in its European qualifying group.

Turkey, a 2002 World Cup semifinalist, also failed to qualify, finishing behind Spain and
Bosnia-Herzegovina. The U.S. has played the Turks twice before, a 1-1 tie at Istanbul in 2001 and a 2-1 U.S. loss at the 2003 Confederations Cup in Saint-Etienne, France.

Preparing for its sixth straight World Cup appearance, the U.S. hosts El Salvador on Feb. 24 at Tampa, Fla., then plays March 3 at the Netherlands.

At the World Cup in South Africa, the U.S. opens June 12 against England, plays Slovenia six days later and completes the first round against Algeria on June 23.

No pain, no game for Landon Donovan and Everton over Sporting Lisbon today in the Europa Cup (AP Photo).

Assorted links for the day:

*Everton beat Portugal's Sporting Lisbon 2-1 in the Europa Cup. Game story. Landon Donovan had one of those games where he flitted in and out of the contest, but still managed to pose problems when he did re-emerge periodically (a "cameo" appearance observed one commentator). The Galaxy midfielder went the full 90.

*David Beckham was on the losing end of today's UEFA Champions League contest against Manchester United, but things could have been far worse before AC Milan pulled back a late goal through Clarence Seedorf who replaced the on-loan Galaxy star. Becks supplied the free kick that led to Ronaldinho's opening goal.

*Chivas USA lost 2-1 today to Universidad de Guadalajara with Justin Braun scoring for the MLS outfit.

Chivas USA - Jon Conway (Dan Kennedy '45), Mariano Trujillo (Miguel Sanchez '45), Emilio Viades (Carlos Borja '45), Carey Talley, Ante Jazic, Michael Lahoud (Blair Gavin '45), Marcelo Saragosa (Chris Ross '59), Osael Romero (Cesar Zamora '73), Jorge Flores, Justin Braun (Artur Aghasyan '45), Maykel Galindo (Omar Padilla '45).

*The U.S. will play Turkey in Philadelphia May 29 in the final game before the World Cup.

*UCLA product Benny Feilhaber is the latest U.S. star to go down injured..

*Central defender Clarence Goodson is on his way to the USMNT training camp in Carson.

*I chatted with former Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman on Facebook Monday who told me his agent is shopping him around the league. Here's more on that.

I've tried to avoid writing about the new collective bargaining agreement the MLS Players Union is negotiating with the league if only because those three little words tend to make most readers' eyes roll back into their head.

Yep, nothing says a compelling story like the phrase "labor agreement."

But in this case the average fan should care because MLS spending more money will increase the quality of play on the field and after some of the mind-numbing games I watched last year (and yes, I'm well aware you sometimes can say the same for your typical Wigan-Hull EPL game, too) we could always do with a few better players and better teams.

That's the thesis of today's column, which is helped considerably by the comments of the thoughtful and articulate Chris Klein and Todd Dunivant of the Galaxy.

I tried not to get bogged down with the details of the main points of contention under negotiation, but I though Dunivant summed it up best when he said:

"It's about basic rights that players in this league don't have that every other soccer player in the world has."

Lastly, here's Dunivant expanding on a comment he made in the column on the pros and cons that come from just a handful of teams dominating some European leagues year in and year out and whether that's just as bad (or worse) as MLS' much vaunted parity:

"In our league they go for absolute and utter parity where every team is the same and there's not a lot of interest in that either. Some people might like that, but there are going to be people who want the Yankees, who want the Man U's, the teams that really want to try to go out and win and get the best players; that draws a lot interest. ... You've got to draw a balance because it is difficult when you just have your same four teams always (winning) - you can more or less predict what's going to happen at the beginning of the season.... It can become a bit predictable."

What do you think? Is parity over-rated? Or would you rather see something like Spain's La Liga where the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona dominate?

And do you back the players in the labor negotiations? Or should they simply feel fortunate a league exists and they have jobs?

A reminder: not only is David Beckham and AC Milan facing his old club Manchester United on Fox Soccer Channel at 11:45 a.m. in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, but Landon Donovan's Everton play Sporting Lisbon at 9:45 a.m. in Europa League action on DirecTV channel 462.

With the holiday it's a slow day for soccer news.

The USMNT has an off day at training camp in Carson and Chivas USA is in Mexico (although I saw Claudio Suarez and a few other players who were left behind doing fitness work today at Home Depot Center).

The Galaxy practiced this morning and I talked to player's union reps Todd Dunivant and Chris Klein for their perspective on the new collective bargaining agreement that's under negotiation. I'll have more on that in Tuesday's column.

BTW: Clint Mathis is on Fox Football Fone-In at 5 p.m. on Fox Soccer Channel.

A couple of other things to pass along:

*David Beckham plays against Manchester United Tuesday for a UEFA Champions League game with AC Milan for the first time since leaving the club for Real Madrid.

Beckham has spent much of AC Milan's last two games watching from the bench, but there are rumors today he will start the game against United. You can see for yourself beginning at 11:45 a.m. 2 p.m. Tuesday when Fox Soccer Channel airs the game live.

Here's more on the game from today's press conference.

Also, Chivas USA beat Mexican team Irapuato 3-1 Saturday, scoring three unanswered goals in the first 38 minutes before a crowd of 15,000.

Maykel Galindo had a brace inside seven minutes and Irapuato also conceded an own goal.

Newly-signed Chivas USA midfielder Osael Romero of El Salvador saw his first action for the club, coming on at halftime.

Chivas USA - Dan Kennedy (Jon Conway 45), Mariano Trujillo, Carey Talley (Emilio Viades 45), Carlos Borja (Miguel Sanchez 87), Ante Jazic (Kevin Tangney 45), Marcelo Saragosa (Ben Zemansky 45) Michael Lahoud, Blair Gavin (Artur Aghasyan 61), Jorge Flores, Maykel Galindo (Osael Romero 45), Justin Braun.

David Beckham apparently occupied this pose for much of AC Milan's 3-2 win over Udinese today, coming on as a late sub. And he didn't perform well at all in front of old boss Alex Ferguson, by all accounts (AP Photo).

Game story here.

In other soccer news today:

*The Galaxy beat UCLA 4-0 in its first preseason scrimmage today. The club also announced today they will leave next Friday for a 10-day camp in Tempe, Ariz., where they will play four scrimmages against other MLS clubs.

*With the Kansas City Wizards saying they have no plans to bring out-of-contract goalkeeper Kevin Hartman into camp, the former Galaxy goalkeeper has instead arrived at the USMNT camp in Carson. Why? Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton is out with an injury for now. No word on its severity just yet.

*UCLA announced today it has landed the nation's No. 1 overall recruit Jenna Richmond of Centreville, Va., a member of the U.S. Under-20 National Team. Also among the seven future Bruins signing national letters of intent on Friday: U.S. Under-18 standouts Natalia Ledezma (La Mirada High) and Ariana Martinez (Moorpark High).

*Click the link at top right for a full listing of games this weekend, My picks? A pair of FA Cup games Sunday on Fox Soccer Channel - Bolton Wanderers-Tottenham Hotspur at 5:30 a.m., immediately followed by Crystal Palace-Aston Villa.

*Finally, is a major rule change in soccer afoot?

LONDON (AP) -- Soccer's lawmaking body will reconsider whether players who concede penalties should also be sent off.

The current triple-punishment means a player who denies the opposing team a goal-scoring opportunity is red-carded, handed a suspension and the opposition is awarded a penalty kick.

FIFA has put the issue on the agenda for the annual International Football Association Board meeting, which takes place in Zurich next month. England's outgoing refereeing chief Keith Hackett recently urged IFAB members to change the rule.

"Why are you sending a player off when you have already reinstated that goal-scoring
opportunity as a penalty kick?" Hackett said in an interview with The Associated Press. "If you take the logic of that, the penalty kick is actually reinstating the opportunity. Just
award the penalty kick if it is inside the penalty area and caution the player."

IFAB -- the custodians of the laws of soccer -- is made up of the four United Kingdom soccer associations and FIFA, which holds the other four votes. Motions must be passed by at least six votes.

Also on the agenda, the Scottish Football Association has proposed allowing players to be treated on the pitch for injuries inflicted by an opponent to prevent giving teams a numerical advantage.

The meeting will also hear updates on the Europa League's trial of using an extra official
behind each goal and developments in goal-line technology.

The annual Cal South-sponsored event is free and it's at the L.A. Convention Center.

*Full details here.

*Coaching schedule (including Galaxy Assistant Head Coach Dave Sarachan and former U.S. National Team Coach Bob Gansler here.

*Galaxy players autograph schedule here.

Other autograph opportunities:
*Fox Football Fone-In hosts Nick Webster, Eric Wynalda and Temryss Lane sign from 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday.

*University of North Carolina and U.S. international Tobin Heath signs at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Nike booth.

Notable: For the first time, an indoor beach soccer field will be set up at the expo. The field, with eight tons of sand, will have a goal and penalty box so that players can practice shooting on the sand, a considerably different pitch for most players.

Oh, and I might be wandering around.

News and notes from all over today, so let's take a little tour shall we?

The incident between Ashley Cole and Landon Donovan Wednesday that could have World Cup repercussions (AP Photo).

*Starting in London, there's word that Landon Donovan's English excursion could have unintended consequences for the World Cup game between the U.S. and England:

LONDON (AP) -- England left back Ashley Cole broke his left ankle during a challenge from Landon Donovan, an injury that will sideline him for about three months but should allow him to return for the World Cup.

The injury raises the possibility England coach Fabio Capello could start Wayne Bridge
alongside John Terry for a March 3 exhibition game against Wembley.

Cole was injured while playing for Chelsea against Everton in the Premier League on Wednesday night, and a scan revealed the extent of the injury on Thursday. The
timetable projects him to be back for England's World Cup opener against the United States on June 12 but would give him only a month to regain fitness for a rematch in Rustenburg, South Africa, against Donovan.

Cole's backup on England's national team is Bridge. Terry was dropped as England's captain last week following reports that Terry had an affair with Bridge's former girlfriend.

Chelsea's season will end May 8 or 9 unless it advances to the final of the FA Cup on May 15 or the European Champions League on May 22.

If Cole isn't ready for the World Cup, other possible replacements for England include Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock, Manchester City's Joleon Lescott and Everton's Leighton Baines.

Cole was replaced by Michael Ballack after Donovan's challenge in the 57th minute. Although Chelsea did not suggest that Donovan had fouled Cole, Blues assistant coach Ray Wilkins said after the game it was a strong challenge made while Cole was off balance.

*Up in Liverpool, Everton manager David Moyes moved to cool transfer speculation over the on-loan Galaxy playmaker.

*Meanwhile, following a 20-day training camp at Carson's Home Depot Center, U.S. Women's National Team Coach Pia Sundhage has named a 19-player roster for the 2010 Algarve Cup in Portugal:

goalkeepers - Nicole Barnhart (FC Gold Pride), Jill Loyden (Chicago Red Stars), Hope Solo (St. Louis Athletica)

defenders - Rachel Buehler (FC Gold Pride), Stephanie Cox (Boston Breakers), Amy LePeilbet (Boston Breakers), Heather Mitts (Philadelphia Independence), Meghan Schnur (Sky Blue FC), Cat Whitehill (Washington Freedom)

midfielders - Yael Averbuch (Sky Blue FC), Shannon Boxx (St. Louis Athletica), Tobin Heath (Atlanta Beat), Lori Lindsey (Philadelphia Independence), Carli Lloyd (Sky Blue FC), Heather O'Reilly (Sky Blue FC)

forwards - Lauren Cheney (Boston Breakers), Casey Nogueira (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (Philadelphia Independence), Abby Wambach (Washington Freedom)

The 12-team tournament runs from Feb. 24 through March 3.

Notable: The roster features one of the biggest turnovers from the previous year's Algarve Cup roster since the USA started attending the tournament in 1994. Only eight players from last year's 18-player roster made the squad.

*In Phoenix, Lawndale's Kei Kamara marked a new contract he signed with the Kansas City Wizards last week by scoring a hat trick Wednesday in a 120-minute scrimmage with San Jose. The Wizards won 3-0 with Kamara scored all of his goals inside the first 30 minutes of the scrimmage.

*Meanwhile, the Kansas City Star reports former Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman of the Palos Verdes Peninsula still isn't in the Wizards camp.

Coach Peter Vermes isn't sure when or if the 35-year-old veteran will sign a new deal:

"In the last three weeks it's been hot and heavy (contract negotiations)," Vermes told the Star, "but it doesn't seem like we're really getting anywhere."

And now Hartman may have negotiated himself out a job.

The Wizards have former D.C. United goalkeeper Louis Crayton, 32, in camp, but this morning came word K.C. have signed Danish veteran Jimmy Nielsen from Danish club Vejle to a one-year deal.

Updated 5 p.m.

MLS and the players union released this statement this afternoon: Major League Soccer and the Major League Soccer Players Union today announced that they have agreed to continue to negotiate through February 25, as they work towards reaching a new collective bargaining agreement. Negotiations scheduled for this week were postponed due to the snow storms along the Northeast Corridor. Negotiations will continue over the next two weeks.

In a follow-up to Sunday's story about the unheralded closure of the David Beckam Academy in Carson comes word the shuttering was so quiet they weren't even telling those who had registered for camp that it had closed.

Turns out they didn't tell local hotels either: I received an e-mail from Natasha Hamilton, wife of the Lloyd Hamilton in the story Wednesday night, observing the Doubletree Hotel in Carson where they had booked rooms, was similarly unaware of the closure.

Yet, PR debacle aside, the termination of the David Beckham Academy is a loss to the South Bay (and wider) community as the following e-mail I received vividly illustrates:

To Nick:

Thank you for finally mentioning that the DBA had officially closed. I knew about this closure back in November. When I heard this news I was very devastated. One of the reasons is that the DBA had a School Outreach Program that provided, free of charge, soccer skills to public schools.

My school, Panorama City Elementary in Panorama City, was fortunate enough to be able to participate in it last year. We started to do it again this year. One group was able to experience it. But, the 2nd group wasn't able to because the DBA closed a week prior to them coming out to our school again. The students at my school were extremely saddened by this news. They were looking forward in experiencing soccer with the DBA Coaches. The DBA coaches were excellent!

Last year, I even made a presentation board so that people in our district would see the great things that our students were doing in relation to sports. A lot of those people were very impressed. Our students learned a lot from the DBA coached about soccer and fitness/health in general. Too bad they won't get to experience that again.

Well, at least some of our students had the chance last year, and this year. But, they will surely be missed. I hope that AEG has plans to still use the field as some type of academy. Perhaps they might be able to continue the School Outreach Program that was in place at the DBA.

Always in soccer,

Carlisa Perdomo

A quartet of tidbits to pass along:

*Chivas USA announced today they had released backup goalkeeper Lance Parker, who made six appearances last year in MLS, SuperLiga and U.S. Open Cup competitions.

"Lance is a hard-working goalkeeper with a lot of potential," said Chivas USA Vice President of Soccer Operations Stephen Hamilton. "He helped us both on and off the field."

Also gone from Chivas USA's camp: trialists Isaac Kissi and Matt McManus.

BTW, Chivas USA intend to hold open tryouts on the same March weekend as the Galaxy. Details here, giving budding MLS players an interesting dilemma. The $40 Chivas USA is asking players to pony up to participate is far cheaper than the $150 the Galaxy is charging though.

*Injuries and weather are causing problems for the U.S. Men's National Team training camp at Home Depot Center.

*The World Cup countdown is truly on when ESPN's Outside the Lines dedicates Thursday's entire noon show to the 20th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's release from prison in South Africa. Bob Ley hosts from South Africa, former MLS striker and ESPN World Cup Analyst Shawn Bartlett comments on its significance to the nation and former Galaxy Coach (and I use the term loosely) Ruud Gullit, who dedicated his 1987 World Football Player of the Year award to Mandela, also chimes in.

Finally, the National Soccer Hall of Fame has sadly succumbed to its financial problems.

Landon Donovan's assist came from what The (London) Times called a "beautifully flighted corner."

He also drew a first half penalty, seen above, after he was tripped by Ricardo Carvalho, but the resulting spot kick was saved. (AP Photo).

Still, Everton beat table-topping Chelsea 2-1. And how about that performance by former England captain John Terry?

And here's a good point I just retweeted on Twitter: "Everton earned 22 points in 19 matches before Landon Donovan arrived. Since? 13 points in 6."

Everton are now ninth in the EPL (and climbing).

What odds on Donovan returning to the Galaxy now?

Game story.

It's a fair and balanced Wednesday for soccer including -

*A milestone development for soccer on television:

NEW YORK (AP) - The European Champions League final will be televised on a U.S. network for the first time when the May 22 match in Madrid airs on Fox.

The game at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium will be broadcast live starting at 11:45 a.m. It will be the first soccer match televised by Fox.

The Champions League final is shifting to Saturday for the first time this year. It had been a Wednesday fixture since the tournament began as the Champions Clubs Cup in the 1955-56 season.

ESPN and ESPN2 had televised the Champions League from 1994-95 through last season, when Barcelona's 2-0 victory over Manchester United in the May 27 final was seen by more than a million U.S. households.

This season, the games shifted to Fox's cable networks, primarily the Fox Soccer Channel, under a three-year deal. The final originally had been scheduled to air on FX, which is available in about 95 million homes - about 20 million fewer than Fox.

The round of 16 begins play Tuesday, BTW.

*I'm guessing MLS Commish Don Garber and player union reps aren't out making snow angels today:

NEW YORK (AP) - Major League Soccer's labor negotiations have been postponed because of the snowstorm in the Northeast.

MLS commissioner Don Garber, president Mark Abbott and other management representatives had been scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to meet with union officials.

The league's five-year labor contract expired Jan. 31, but the sides announced three days earlier that they were extending bargaining through Feb. 12 in an effort to avoid a work stoppage. Players fear a management lockout.

*Chivas USA's veteran defender Claudio Suarez wants to play one more year.

*The Galaxy will hold open tryouts at Home Depot Center March 6-7 for "male soccer players ages 18 and older who feel they can succeed at the Major League Soccer level." The cost of pursuing a long-shot dream? $150. Details here.

*Former Galaxy defender Ty Harden has joined Toronto FC from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for a third round MLS SuperDraft pick in 2011.

"We are excited to have him on board with us," said Coach Preki. "He's a good quality, young defender and there are many things I like about him. He showed a lot of promise in his rookie season with the Galaxy and we hope he can add some toughness to our back line."

Harden, 25, was a second round pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft for the Galaxy, started 24 games that season and was named the club's 2007 Defender of the Year.

He retired from soccer in 2008 and moved to Kenya where he worked as a volunteer at a children's center and set up a soccer school.

He returned to MLS last year with the Rapids, but only played in seven games.

A couple of things to pass along this evening:

*Chivas USA scored twice in each half Tuesday at a cold and rainy UC Irvine to beat the hosts 4-0 in a preseason scrimmage. Artur Aghasyan, who was with the PDL Ventura County Fusion last season, scored both first half goals. Gerson Mayén and draft pick Chris Ross added two more in the second 45 minutes.

Lineups:
Chivas USA (first half)- Zach Thornton, Mariano Trujillo, Carey Talley, Michael Umaña, Ante Jazic, Michael Lahoud, Blair Gavin, Ben Zemanski, Jorge Flores, Jesús Padilla, Artur Aghasyan.

Chivas USA (second half) - Dan Kennedy, Miguel Sanchez, Carlos Borja, Emilio Viades, Kevin Tangney, Chris Ross (Cesar Zamora 72), Marcelo Saragosa, Alfonso Motagalvan, Gerson Mayén, Justin Braun, Maykel Galindo

Chivas USA departs for Guadalajara Thursday for two games during a week-long stint in Mexico.

*New Zealand has named a 17-player squad that will face Mexico March 3 for a World Cup warmup against Mexico at the Rose Bowl. Only two players are missing from the lineup that beat Bahrain 1-0 in September to qualify for the World Cup: Goalkeeper Mark Paston is injured and defender Ivan Vicelich is suspended.

The roster:
goalkeepers: James Bannatyne (Team Wellington), Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory)

defenders: Andrew Boyens (New York Red Bulls), Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix),
Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers), Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix), Tommy Smith (Brentford

midfielders: Andy Barron (Team Wellington), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Simon Elliott (San Jose Earthquakes), Michael McGlinchey
(Mortherwell, Scotland), Craig Henderson (Mjallby)

forwards: Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle), Chris Killen (Middlesbrough), Shane
Smeltz (Gold Coast United), Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion)

*The U.S. Women's National Team open its 2010 domestic schedule next month
with a pair of matches against Mexico, the first at 2 p.m. March 28 at Torero Stadium in San Diego (live on Fox Soccer Channel), the second at 6 p.m. March 31 in Salt Lake City (live on ESPN2). Tickets for the game in San Diego go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. Call (1-800) 745-3000.

*Los Angeles F.C. Chelsea has joined the Women's Premier Soccer League in the wake of their merger with the Los Angeles Rampage and will play their home games at La Canada High School. Former rampage Coach Emamuel "Manny" Martins will head up LAFC Chelsea.

It's getting to be now or never for domestic-based players on the bubble for the U.S. World Cup roster.

Bonus quote -
Here's Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan on Stuart Holden, who he observed is probably his main rival for a World Cup roster spot. The two have never played for the U.S. in the same XI, he said:

"When I was out of the team he was just coming into the team. There's definitely a correlation between the two of us - we play a similar position, we play a similar style. Hopefully we both go, but we'll see. He's a good friend of mine, but it's going to be tough. Maybe one of us will go, maybe neither of us will go."

From Monday:

*Coach Martin Vasquez is considering playing Jonny Bornstein at center back and Ante Jazic at left back this season because of a lack of center backs; he was impressed with the 2006 Galaxy full back combo of Chris Albright and Jazic. Jazic, BTW, was just made captain of his country for the first time.

*Speaking of center backs: veteran Claudio Suarez, who returned to Mexico last week because his mother died, was back in camp today pounding around the track in the Track & Field Stadium by himself to build up his fitness.

*Another veteran, out of contract striker Ante Razov - who did not play all of last year - is not expected in camp any time soon, said Vasquez:

"We would love to see Ante out here, but first he has to be 100 percent and I'm not sure he's there yet. ... Where is he at exactly, we don't know. ... The last communication was that once he's 100 percent we're going to sit down and talk and if he wants to come out here then he'll come out here. If he's 100 percent and he wants to give it a last shot we will support that."

*Chivas USA travels to Mexico later this week for games Saturday against Irapuato and Tuesday against Club Universidad de Guadalajara.

I'll have more in Tuesday's column from the Chivas USA camp.

The Galaxy's newly-signed veteran midfielder Clint Mathis, 33, went under the knife Friday in Santa Monica after injuring his left miniscus (that's knee cartilage for the non-medically-inclined) in training last week.

"Mathis has already begun his rehabilitation and could return to full training before the end of the preseason," the club said today in a press release. "He is expected to be available for the club's season opener against the New England Revolution on Saturday, March 27."

The 12-year MLS veteran, who has scored 61 goals in 249 regular season games, is in his second or third stint for the Galaxy depending whether you count the short episode in 2007 when the club and player were unable to come to contract terms and Mathis opted to play in Greece.

"It has nothing to do with age," Coach Bruce Arena said of the injury after training at Home Depot Center this morning. "Clint has a history with knees. You never like to see an injury, but if there's going to be one the best time to do it is now because he has plenty of time to rehabilitate and be ready for the first part of the season."

Meanwhile it appears Galaxy fans won't be seeing striker Alecko Eskandarian teaming up front with Edson Buddle any time soon.

Eskandarian, who suffered yet another concussion last year in a career punctuated by them, will be out some time it appears:

"The status of Alecko will be finalized this week, but he hasn't been cleared to play," Arena said. "I wouldn't say his career (is done), but his ability to play in the short term is going to be delayed for sure. ... Once his status is determined we'll fully explain where he's at. ... Maybe in the old days this guy might have a chance of playing, but I think we're being very cautious and thinking of the player first. ... Whatever is in his best interests in the long- and short-term we're going to go with."

Finally on the walking wounded front, Chivas USA striker Maicon Santos is out six to eight weeks after injuring his left MCL in a collision with Loyola Marymount University's goalkeeper in a scrimmage last Thursday. Rest, not surgery, is the prescription for this injury, club officials said.

Remember kids, it's all about staying focused (viewer discretion advised):

Thanks to loyal 100 Percent Soccer reader Studs Up for the heads up on this one.

Very, very quietly in a rare failure for Golden Balls.

Regular readers first heard about the shuttering of the academy at Home Depot Center mentioned here a couple of days ago.

Curious that AEG made no public announcement of it in conjunction with the closure of the London academy back in December. But not surprising given the damage control/spinning AEG and 19 Entertainment representatives spent much of Friday engaged in as they tried to convince me this was not a story. When a Beckham rep calls you from home at about 12:30 a.m. Saturday London time, you know how sensitive his management team is to ANY suggestion of bad news.

(Updated: The Galaxy youth teams - the club's academy teams, if you will - are now using the Beckham academy's former FieldTurf pitch, as well as one of its trailers.)

BTW, unlike last January (when Becks scored and AC Milan beat Bologna 4-1), the two teams tied 0-0 today. Beckham came on as a 79th minute sub for AC Milan, who are now 10 points behind table-topping rivals Inter.

AC Milan haven't won in their last four games.

Read it here

The Sol players disperse .

Everton's Landon Donovan holds off Liverpool's Emiliano Insua on this play, but couldn't stop the Reds from doing the same to their cross-park rivals at Anfield Saturday, despite playing with a man advantage for most of the game. (AP Photo).

The on-loan Galaxy midfielder and Everton displayed little creativity in attack and Liverpool were deserved 1-0 winners in a typical blood and thunder derby that was never going to be mistaken for a shining example of fluid football.

Game story.

David Beckham's AC Milan play Bologna live at 6 a.m. Sunday on Fox Soccer Channel.

The expected (but long-delayed) announcement came today from U.S. Soccer.

Jesse Marsch, 36, one of the last MLS originals still playing, was always a fiery character on the field, but a thoughtful and quotable one off it and will be missed in the Chivas USA locker room. He made 106 appearances for Chivas USA over three seasons and is the club's second all-time leader in games played, games started, and minutes.
.

Here's more from the U.S. Soccer press release: Marsch, who holds a USSF 'A' license, will join the U.S. team for training camp beginning Monday at Home Depot Center, ahead of the game against El Salvador on Feb. 24 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

"I have had the opportunity to work with Jesse for many years, and I believe the knowledge and experience he brings will be a great benefit to both the players and the coaching staff," said U.S. Coach Bob Bradley.

Marsch made two appearances for the U.S. Men's National Team, most recently against China in June of 2007. His first came Nov. 11, 2001, in a World Cup qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain.

"I'm excited about this opportunity with U.S. Soccer," said Marsch. "I am looking forward to working hard to help this team be successful in the future."

Marsch, who wore the captain's armband for Chivas USA for much of the 2008 and 2009 seasons, made 358 appearances in his 14-year MLS career. One of the most decorated players in league history, he has collected three MLS Cup titles and four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup medals.

The former midfielder has worked with Bradley since 1992, when Marsch was a freshman at Princeton under Bradley the Tigers head coach. In the inaugural season MLS season in 1996, Bradley served as an assistant coach for D.C. United and Marsch a midfielder during their run to the MLS Cup title, the start of three successive league titles for both men. In 1998, Bradley took the reigns of the expansion Chicago Fire and Marsch helped the club complete its historic double, winning both the U.S. Open Cup and the MLS Cup. When Bradley took over as head coach of Chivas USA prior to the 2006 season, Marsch moved to the club and went on to make 106 appearances in four seasons.

The Racine, Wis., native lives in Manhattan Beach with his wife Kim and three children.

Marsch's teammates react to the news here.

And here's Marsch in his own words:

No, not that Super Bowl thingie, which, as it turns out, is is not that super when it comes to global viewership anyway.

The big game for Southern California fans of real football is Landon Donovan's first taste of the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield. Just walking out the tunnel into the sold-out stadium is guaranteed to give the Galaxy playmaker goosebumps. And the game is live at 4:30 a.m. on ESPN2HD.

Donovan will be seeking to erase the bad memories of the last time he played at Liverpool's stadium: a horrific UEFA Champions League performance for Bayer Leverkusen that pretty much killed his career in Germany back in 2005.

Sounds like he's up for it.

Here are some more previews including:
* The probable lineups.

* The game basics from the BBC.

(Updated 7:30 p.m. - BTW, I swiped this from Facebook just now: For those interested in watching this Saturday's Merseyside Derby, featuring Landon Donovan... Breakfast then Liverpool vs. Everton match at the Off Campus Pub in Carson, this Saturday, Feb. 6. Breakfast will be served at 9 a.m., replay of the game will start at 10 a.m. $3 beer, $2 mimosas.)

Click to your right for the full slate of this weekend's games, but I recommend checking out the Chelsea-Arsenal encounter at 8 a.m. Sunday on Fox Soccer Channel.

What else is going on this morning?

*Well, John Terry has lost his cherished England captaincy ahead of the World Cup and that crucial opening game against the U.S.

*The Galaxy Friday announced it will play a preseason friendly at 7:30 p.m. March 10 against Costa Rican team Puntarenas at Cal State Fullerton's Titan Stadium. Galaxy season ticket holders may purchase tickets for $10 beginning Monday; the cost to everyone else is $20 and those tickets go on sale Wednesday.

*Former Galaxy player Tony Sanneh reflects on his career and his time with the club here.

*2008 Galaxy draft pick Julian Valentin has joined the reformed Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL.

*Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy is raring for the MLS season to start after missing last year through injury.

*Chivas USA scored four goals in 13-minute span, including two by striker Maicon Santos, in a 5-1 victory over Loyola Marymount University in a preseason scrimmage Thursday at Home Depot Center. Check out the lineups (and I wonder how close the team that played the first 45 minutes is to the club's lineup on opening day?):

Chivas USA (first half)- Zach Thornton, Jonathan Bornstein, Carlos Borja, Michael Umaña, Carey Talley, Jorge Flores, Marcelo Saragosa, Sacha Kljestan, Michael Lahoud, Maykel Galindo, Justin Braun.

Chivas USA (second half)- Jon Conway, Kevin Tangney, Emilio Viades, Matt McManus, Miguel Sanchez, Gerson Mayén, Ben Zemanski, Blair Gavin, Chris Ross (Cesar Zamora 70), Artur Aghasyan, Maicon Santos.

Torrance's Shannon Boxx went to St. Louis Athletica with the first pick, as many expected.

Now the Sol is truly no more.

Here's the result of the full draft that was held this morning:

Round 1
1. Shannon Boxx, M - Saint Louis Athletica *
2. Karina LeBlanc, GK - Philadelphia Independence
3. Marta, F - FC Gold Pride (Bay Area)
4. Casey Nogueira, F - Chicago Red Stars
5. Stephanie Cox, D - Boston Breakers
6. Nikki Washington, M - Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY)
7. Brittany Bock, D - Washington Freedom
8. Aya Miyama, M - Saint Louis Athletica

Round 2
9. Manya Makoski, M - Atlanta Beat
10. Faith Ikidi, D/F - Washington Freedom
11. Kiersten Dallstream, F - Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY)
12. Michelle Enyeart, F - Boston Breakers
13. Kiki Bosio, F - FC Gold Pride (Bay Area) ^
14. Tina DiMartino, M - Saint Louis Athletica #
15. Estelle Johnson, D - Philadelphia Independence
16. Pavlina Scasna, F - Atlanta Beat

Round 3
17. Pass - Atlanta Beat
18. Pass - Philadelphia Independence
19. Lindsay Browne, F - FC Gold Pride (Bay Area)
20. Pass - Chicago Red Stars
21. Pass - Boston Breakers
22. Pass - Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY)
23. Pass - Washington Freedom
24. Catherine Sorenson, M - Saint Louis Athletica

* via trade with Atlanta Beat (trade prior to draft)
^ via trade with Chicago Red Stars (Chicago receives FC Gold Pride's 2nd Round pick in 2011 WPS Draft)
# via trade with Chicago Red Stars (Chicago receives Saint Louis Athletica's 2nd Round pick in 2011 WPS Draft)

Also: Goalkeeper Mary Casey, GK, is now a free agent; midfielder Julie Rydahl Bukh's WPS rights have been released.

The second WPS season begins April 10.

Good to see Omar Gonzalez keep his place; now the central defender needs to get his first cap.

He was the only Galaxy player named to the squad; Chivas USA contributes three players.

The 23-man roster of domestic-based players gathers Wednesday at Home Depot Center to prepare for the friendly against El Salvador Feb. 24 in Tampa, Fla.

Quotable:

"These are important opportunities for these players as we continue to formulate our plans for the roster for the World Cup," said Coach Bob Bradley. "This camp and the game against El Salvador provide a chance for the coaching staff to get one more long look at this group. El Salvador demonstrated during World Cup qualifying that they are a difficult team to beat, so we expect a good match."

Notable: All these players were in last month's USMNT camp in Carson except for striker Brian Ching and newly-signed Philadelphia Union defender Michael Orozco.

Here's the full roster:

goalkeepers - Troy Perkins (D.C. United), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Zach Thornton (Chivas USA)

defenders - Kevin Alston (New England Revolution), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Michael Orozco (Philadelphia Union), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

midfielders - Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Chris Pontius (D.C. United), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)

forwards - Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake)

And after his USMNT performance last month at the HDC, let's just be glad Jimmy Conrad wasn't picked again.

Three in the morning:

*A three-round WPS dispersal draft for the 20 players from the defunct Sol begins at 10 a.m. today. St. Louis has the first pick: Marta or Torrance's Shannon Boxx?

*The disintegration of the Carson-based David Beckham Academy is apparently all but complete (and yes, I'm aware the link to the local academy redirects to Beckham's defunct London branch, which merely underlines the point): Stephen Myles, 48, the academy's director of competition the last two years has joined the New England Revolution as assistant coach.

He also spent the last two seasons coaching the LA Galaxy's Under-16 team and was at Sheffied United for nine years before relocating to the U.S.

Kenny Arena - the son of Galaxy coach Bruce Arena - is now head coach of the U-16 team, BTW.

*Finally, the USWNT is wrapping up its three-week camp at Home Depot Center ahead of the Algarve Cup.

Three items:

*The Chivas USA-LMU scrimmage Thursday scheduled for Loyola Marymount's Westchester campus will now take place in Carson at Home Depot Center's field 6. Kick off: 11 a.m.

*Schedule update noted - The road game against the New England Revolution originally scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 15, has been switched to Wednesday, May 5.

* This last item has not just been rumor - it's pretty much been an open secret considering Jesse Marsch spent the last week or so in attendance at the USMNT training camp in January and that at age 36 he didn't want to risk serious injury by continuing playing in the wake of the concussion he suffered last season.

Marsh hasn't been at Chivas USA training camp at all this season as Coach Martin Vasquez has (pointedly) pointed out. The club had envisioned announcing Marsch's retirement (and new job) last week, but obviously that didn't occur.

And it makes D.C. United's Jaime Moreno the last of the MLS originals still playing in the league after Steve Ralston returned home to the USL in St. Louis, no?

Here's a guide to all 240 MLS games (with a full interlocking schedule where all 16 clubs play each other twice for the first time in league history) month by month.

Here's the Galaxy schedule. Complete with a visit by Sigi Schmid's Seattle Sounders to take on his former club on Independence Day. And six of the Galaxy's last seven games are at Home Depot Center (how favorable is that).

Here's the Chivas USA schedule.

The dates that really matter:
*Thursday, April 1 Galaxy-Chivas USA 8 p.m. ESPN2/ESPN Deportes
*Sunday, Oct. 3 Chivas USA-Galaxy 5 p.m. ESPN2/ESPN Deportes

Notable:

* A total of 75 percent of games will be played on Saturdays; 85 percent of games will be played on weekends.

*The four Mexican teams in this year's SuperLiga will be announced in the coming weeks; they'll join Chivas USA, the Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo, and New England Revolution in the tournament.

Here's more on the Galaxy television schedule from the club's press release:

Of the Galaxy's 30 games in 2010, 16 will aired by the league's national broadcast partners, ABC/ESPN, Fox Soccer Channel/ Fox Sports En Español and Telefutura. ESPN and ESPN Deportes are scheduled to air five Galaxy games in 2010, including both of the SuperClasico's against Chivas USA, as well as home games against San Jose (July 22) and New York (Sept. 24) and the club's first-ever trip to Chester, Pa. to take on the expansion Philadelphia Union (Oct. 7).

Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports En Español will broadcast a total of seven Galaxy games in 2010, starting with the season opener against New England at 8 p.m. on March 27. The Galaxy's games away to Toronto FC (June 26), D.C. United (July 18) and the New York Red Bulls (Aug. 14), the club's first-ever trip to Red Bull Arena in Harrison N.J., will also be carried on the networks. The two Fox networks will also broadcast the Galaxy's home game against Real Salt Lake on April 17 in the year's first rematch of MLS Cup 2009, as will the club's home games against the Chicago Fire (Aug. 1) and D.C. United (Sept. 18).

Telefutura rounds out the Galaxy's national broadcast package with four games, beginning with the club's trip to Qwest Field to face the Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, May 8. The network will also show the Galaxy's home match against the Houston Dynamo (June 5), their trip north to San Jose to face the Earthquakes (Aug. 21) and their game at Toyota Park against the Chicago Fire (Sept. 4).

So this is why Harkes wrote that terribly written autobiography, "Captain for Wife, um Life."

And interesting, too, that England and the U.S. will meet this year in the nations' respective World Cup openers.

Will England's John Terry be there?

NEW YORK (AP) -- Breaking more than a decade of silence, former U.S. soccer coach Steve Sampson said Tuesday he dropped John Harkes from the national team roster two months before the 1998 World Cup because the American captain was having an affair with the wife of teammate Eric Wynalda.

Harkes has long denied having an affair with Amy Wynalda.

Wynalda brought up the situation Monday night during a discussion on "Fox Football Fone-In" about a scandal in England over an alleged relationship between current English captain John Terry and the former partner of Wayne Bridge, his teammate on the national squad.

Sampson told The Associated Press on Tuesday he was glad the story was coming out now because "maybe people will have a little better of an understanding of what happened in the final months leading up to the World Cup."

After advancing to the second round of the 1994 World Cup at home, the U.S. finished last in the 32-nation field at the 1998 tournament in France, getting shut out by Germany, then losing 2-1 to Iran and 1-0 to Yugoslavia.

"It wasn't about losing 2-0 to Germany or losing to Iran," Sampson said. "There was more to it than that that impacted I believe the outcome of this team."

Wynalda said he spoke out during the program he co-hosts on Fox Soccer Channel because he was asked about Terry, who has been front-page news since Saturday in British newspapers.

"There's a lot of similarities between what happened to us in '98 and what's happening now to England," Wynalda told the AP. "It's an unfortunate time for England, because I know how that can affect a team firsthand. Obviously, we all know how we did in the World Cup in '98."

Sampson was replaced by Bruce Arena after the tournament.

Harkes was a member of the 1990 and 1994 U.S. World Cup teams and became the regular captain before he was dropped by Sampson in a surprise move on April 14, 1998. He made 90 international appearances from 1987-90.

"I am not going to rehash the things that have happened in the past," Harkes said Tuesday in a telephone interview. "1998 was devastating to me and my family. It was hard enough not to play in the World Cup, but it was even difficult to go through that time period, the most difficult time period of my life."

Sampson said Tuesday that Roy Wegerle, another U.S. player, came to him and assistant coach Clive Charles between the Feb. 25 game at Belgium and the March 14 match against Paraguay in San Diego and said he had personal knowledge of the affair. Charles died in 2003 and Wegerle, now retired, did not return a phone call Tuesday.

In 1998, Sampson said Harkes, then 31, was dropped because the midfielder refused to play a more defensive role. Sampson also cited "leadership issues" but didn't elaborate.

Sampson, much criticized by players during the World Cup and fired after the U.S. was
eliminated, defended his decision to hide the truth. He said he discussed his decision at the time with then-U.S. Soccer Federation president Alan Rothenberg, secretary general Hank Steinbrecher and current president Sunil Gulati, a longtime member of the leadership.

"I felt that these are the kinds of issues that need to stay in the locker room and within the team and not (be) exposed to the public," Sampson said. "The private issues for me were the most serious issues. I think I could have lived with everything else and kept John on the team if it had not been for the private issues. It's one thing to have an affair outside the team. It's another to have one inside. ... There are just certain lines that one cannot cross."

Rothenberg said Tuesday he had no memory of any discussion of the matter, Gulati declined comment and Steinbrecher did not return a telephone message.

Wynalda, however, insists an affair did take place.

"I'm calling it an inappropriate relationship. It was a major contributor to why I'm no longer married," said Wynalda, a father of three who separated from his wife in 2003 and then divorced.

Wynalda said that when Sampson informed him in the spring of 1998 that he was dropping Harkes, Wynalda tried to persuade the coach to change his mind. Sampson didn't recall such a conversation, but said that doesn't mean it didn't take place.

"At that time, I felt that he was still a player that could help our cause and he was still one of the best 22 players in our country," Wynalda said.

Wynalda and Harkes played together just once after that, when called in by Arena for a January 2000 exhibition in Chile. "At that point, it was still manageable," Wynalda said.

Harkes, the U.S. college player of the year in 1987 at Virginia, was one of the first
Americans to make the move overseas, playing for Sheffield Wednesday, Derby, West Ham and Nottingham Forest in England during the 1990s. He also was among the early players in MLS, playing with D.C. United, New England and Columbus before his retirement in 2002.

Like Harkes, Wynalda was among the early U.S. players in Europe, playing for Saarbruecken and Bochum in Germany before appearing for San Jose, Miami, New England and Chicago in MLS.

Wynalda was an analyst for ESPN's soccer coverage in 2006 and 2007, and joined Fox last year.

He was appointed last month as a part-time assistant coach of the U.S. under-20 team.

Harkes also worked for ESPN's 2006 World Cup coverage and replaced Wynalda as a lead analyst for ESPN two years ago.

Now working for different networks, both are preparing for this year's World Cup. Wynalda also is writing a book.

"I've suffered quite a bit through this whole process. My healing is over, so I'm OK to talk
about it," Wynalda said.

Sampson, who plans to broadcast for Futbol de Primera radio at this year's World Cup, said he wanted people to know that he and Harkes mended their relationship in 2005 and exchanged a handshake.

"Maybe now people will have a little bit more of an understanding as to why I made such a critical decision back in 1998," Sampson said. "The last thing I wanted to do was drop John Harkes from the team because I really did believe that he was an outstanding leader on the field."

Chivas USA held its first preseason scrimmage today and emerged victorious with a 2-0 win at Home Depot Center over PDL team the Ventura County Fusion, which featured former Galaxy defender Mike Randolph and former Chivas USA players Anthony Hamilton, Brent Whitfield and Rodrigo López.

Brazilian forward Maicon Santos scored the opener in the 16th minute and trialist Artur Aghasyan (who played for the Fusion last year) closed the scoring in the 79th minute.

Chivas USA fielded two different sides in each half with goalkeeper Dan Kennedy returning to the field for a game since injuring his knee in the 2009 preseason.

Lineups.

Chivas USA (first half)- Dan Kennedy, Mariano Trujillo, Michael Umaña, Emilio Viades, Jorge Flores, César Zamora, Gavin Blair, Marcelo Saragosa, Gerson Mayén, Maykel Galindo, Maicon Santos.

Chivas USA (second half)- Lance Parker, Miguel Sánchez, Carlos Borja, Matt McManus, Kevin Tangney, Chris Ross, Michael Lahoud, Ben Zemanski, Bryan De La Fuente, Artur Aghasyan, Isaac Kissi.

Wondering who some of these guys are?

Me too:

*Emilio Viades, 32, has played in Mexico for Veracruz, Toluca, Cruz Azul and Necaxa.

*Defender Miguel Sachez, 21, played one game for Chiapas last year

*Forward Mike Matt McManus is a San Diego State product.

*And yeah, that's former Galaxy defender Michael Umana, hoplessly out-matched in six starts during the Steve Sampson era.

At about 11 a.m.

MLS has already released clubs' home openers.

From the MLS press release:

Each MLS team will play 30 games - one home, one away, against each of the other teams - for a total of 240 games from March 25 to Oct. 24. Wednesday's announcement will include the national broadcast schedule for the 2010 season including games on ESPN2/ESPN Deportes, Fox Soccer Channel/Fox Sports en Español and TeleFutura.

Normal programming will resume shortly.

Who should be familiar to Southern Californians.

Romero has eight goals in 37 appearances for his country, including five last year in Southern California, according to the Chivas USA press release: One in a Feb. 6 friendly against Peru at the Coliseum, two in a 3-1 friendly victory over Ecuador on May 27, also at the Coliseum, and two in the 2-1 Gold Cup win over Costa Rica on July 3.

"Osael is a perfect fit for our club this season, and we're excited to have him at Chivas USA," said Chivas USA Coach Martín Vásquez. "He's a young, talented player, and we've all seen his accomplishments with the El Salvador National Team. We look forward to having him play a big part for us in 2010."

Romero, 23, is on loan from Vista Hermosa in El Salvador and was acquired from FC Dallas, who held a discovery claim on the player, in exchange for an unspecified amount of cash.

"I'm happy to have this opportunity with Chivas USA," said Romero. "I'm looking forward to the challenge of playing in MLS, which is a very competitive league. I'm familiar with the Los Angeles area, where I had the opportunity to score with the El Salvador National Team in tough international matches. I'm excited to be back in a community that has always supported me and my national team."

Marketing is also a consideration in the deal, not coincidentally:

"Osael is an exceptional player, and his presence will be great for our club both on and off the field," said Chivas USA President and CEO Shawn Hunter. "He can make the difference as a player, and his importance for his national team will help us connect with Salvadoran fans across Southern California."

Check out the YouTube complilation here:

I've been under the weather the past couple of days, so unless I hear of something major going on in the next hour or so I'm planning to skip Tuesday's column and crawl back into bed.

But here's a couple of quick updates to get your week under way:

*Chivas USA defender Ante Jazic played 90 minutes Sunday as Canada lost 1-0 to Jamaica.

*Chivas USA will scrimmage against the PDL's Ventura County Fusion at 11 a.m. Tuesday on field 6 at Home Depot Center and scrimmage again at 11 a.m. Thursday in Carson against LMU.

*The Galaxy's new Brazilian trio have joined preseason training.

*And here's your deal o' the day - both the Galaxy and Chivas USA are offering ticket specials that went on sale today in conjunction with the March 3 Mexico-New Zealand game at the Rose Bowl that's part of Mexico's six-game pre-World Cup tour in the U.S. between Feb. 24 and May 13. (Mexico also plays Bolivia Feb. 24 in San Francisco, the road trip inclined should know).

For $30, Chivas USA fans can purchase a general admission seat for both the Mexico match and Chivas USA's Home Opener on March 26 against the Colorado Rapids.

For $75, fans receive a midfield seat to the Mexico-New Zealand game as well as sideline seats for the first two Chivas USA home games of the season.

Galaxy fans have a similar choice.

For $30 fans get GA seats for the Mexico game and the Galaxy's March 27 season opener at the HDC against the New England Revolution OR the April 1 SuperClasico against Chivas USA, while $75 gets you the same choice of games, but with sideline seats.

For the Chivas USA offer call 1-877-CHIVAS-1; for the Galaxy offer call1-877-3GALAXY.