Friday Football: Galaxy & Chivas USA play this weekend & more

A punishing schedule at my other (non-related soccer) job the last couple of days (combined with a nasty attack of grunge-like spring allergies) has kept me away from the blog for a couple of days.

But if you’re ready for some soccer, both Chivas USA and the Galaxy are in action this weekend ahead of next week’s (alleged) start of the MLS season, presuming the players don’t go on strike Monday as has been rumored if there’s no new labor deal strike.

So here’s run-down of where and when to get your soccer fix:

*Chivas USA plays the Houston Dynamo Sunday in their final preseason game up in Santa Barbara.

Game time is 7 p.m. at Harder Stadium on the UCSB campus and it’s for a good cause: proceeds from the game go to nonprofit group Direct Relief International to help aid their efforts for the earthquake victims in Haiti and Chile. Tickets are $10 for children under 12 and students with valid ID, $15 general admission, $20 reserved. The high in Santa Barbara Saturday: 74 degrees. Lovely.

Also, Chivas USA Coach Martn Vsquez will appear on Fox Football Fone-In Monday. The show begins at 7 p.m. on Fox Soccer Channel.

*The Galaxy plays their final preseason game 5 p.m. Sunday at Home Depot Center against Salvadoran side CD Aguila, but if you go just before game time you’ll miss half the fun.

A free fan fest runs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in parking lot 13 that includes speeches from Galaxy President of Business Operations Tom Payne at 2:45 p.m. and Coach Bruce Arena at 3 p.m. who will tell the assembled horde how little the team will miss David Beckham (and that you should all go buy tickets anyway) at the annual State of the Galaxy address.

Also on tap: a beer garden, dunk tank (featuring mascot Cozmo, unfortunately, not your least favorite Galaxy player), interactive soccer-related games, “special vendor carts from Don Chow Tacos and Fishlips Sushi on site” (no word on the availability of bacon-wrapped sausages) tons of other stuff and did I mention the beer garden. Yes, I did, but it’s worth mentioning twice with the temperature expected to hit 78 degrees.

The club will also host its annual equipment sale outside of the northwest entrance benefiting the Galaxy so you can buy Beckham’s old sweaty jockstraps (or something) from last year.

Tickets to the game start at $15.

*If you prefer to stay pinned to the armchair, games on TV this weekend include Aston Villa-Wolves at 5:30 a.m. Saturday on ESPN2 HD and Blackburn Rovers-Chelsea while Real Zaragoza plays Barcelona at 1 p.m. Sunday on GOLTV. Clink the link at top right for comprehensive listing of games.

Which reminds me: thanks to webmeister extraordinaire Chris Berry for culling and updating the list of links to the right.

Junked were many of the links I don’t believe were used much (including to local college programs) and of course the Sol and WPS are now a thing of the past locally. If I’m missing anything, let me know.

*Finally, thanks to those who responded via e-mail, telephone, in person or commented on the blog to this week’s intentionally provocative column about the aforementioned Mr. Beckham.

Some thought me more than a tad vitriolic (including my wife), but I was trying to make a point: by the end of this season Beckham will be four years into his $6.5 mill a year contract and will have probably played, what, 10 MLS games or so a year when you average it out.

If you think that’s worth the hype, the expensive tickets and the likely damage done to the team via the salary cap (will the Galaxy solve their issues in front of goal without a new striker or two?) I suggest applying for a job as an AEG PR flak.

Yes, it’s a shame everyone’s favorite cuddly Brit won’t go to the World Cup, dashed dreams, lost glory and all that.

But wasn’t this guy supposed to be this country’s soccer saviour, not England’s? Instead, I’m betting he alienated more people here than he won over.

I’ll print a couple of e-mails with a different view a little later, but at least I know the folks at my own newspaper not only read my column, but agree with it. And when was the last time you saw an editorial devoted to soccer?

Hmm, and who’s the influential one here anyway?

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Mexico’s newest hero Chicharito scores gamewinner against North Korea for fourth goal in three games

All of a sudden El Tri’s World Cup hopes have a bright new spark – Chivas striker Javier Hernandez.

i-a5982a98bb3504a168d4ba56f7c650db-javierhernandeznorthkorea.jpgJavier Hernandez celebrates his game winner Wednesday against North Korea (AP Photo).

The nickname?

Chicharito, 21, is a third generation CD Guadalajara player following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

At the other end of the age spectrum, veteran Cuauhtemoc Blanco, 37, opened the scoring for Mexico in their 2-1 win.

Game story.

Check out Chicharito’s goal:

Incidentally, England will play their penultimate World Cup warm-up match May 24 against Mexico at Wembley Stadium, officials announced today.

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Donovan returns to the Galaxy

i-a542a8025b7936992c385bd15abec8d1-donovanreturns.jpgLandon Donovan scored twice in the Galaxy’s 8-0 scrimmage win this morning over Hollywood United (AP Photos).

More here on Landon Donovan’s first scrimmage back with the Galaxy since returning from his loan deal with Everton in England.

Updated: 10:50 p.m. Highlights:

It sounds like Donovan (rightly) believes his successful stint in England lets his critics know he can cut it playing at a top class level.

Here’s some additional quotes from Donovan via reporter Phil Collin who was out at the press event today, but the most important one that will endear him to Evertonians is this:

“If I ever went back to England, I would only want to play at Everton.”

*On the reception he received in England and the Everton locker room:

“The people in general in England are pretty witty, humorous, seemed to make jokes and be kind of lighthearted. The biggest difference for me was the locker room from the minute I walked in the locker room for my first training session I could feel the energy was different. You could feel that this was a real team that cared about the team. There were no individual, no ego that overshadowed the team. It’s just a different culture to be in and when you feel that way it makes you better as a player. You want to fit in.”

*On the stability of the Galaxy this season:

“I’m looking forward to playing again with these guys and it’s been very helpful immediately to have almost the same team here. This is my first time in all the years I’ve been here that we’ve had almost the same team back and I think it makes a big difference.”

i-ae8270f00bc3c5f02db14453a56d10e4-donovansprint.jpgDonovan: EPL sharp.

Updated
And here’s Donovan on returning to Everton, MLS labor negotiations, etc.:

CARSON (AP) — Landon Donovan will attend the resumption of Major League Soccer bargaining and says he might return to Everton if players go on strike next week.

Donovan had two goals and three assists in 13 games during an impressive 10-week loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy to Everton that ended Saturday, helping the Toffees beat Manchester United and Chelsea, the top two teams in the Premier League. He rejoined the Galaxy on Tuesday ahead of their March 27 opener against New England.

“There’s nothing concrete set up,” Donovan said at a news conference Wednesday. “I think we’ve all been very clear about the possibility that I could go back if something happens. It’s crossing that bridge when we get to it, right now.”

Negotiators for MLS and the MLS Players Union met Tuesday and talks are set to resume Thursday in Washington, D.C., More than 20 players were expected after the union accepted an invitation from the league to have a large group of its members attend the session.

Players want greater free agency and a higher percentage of guaranteed contracts. MLS owns all player contracts and restricts movement within the league when deals expire.

“Nobody wants to go on strike if it can be avoided,” Donovan said. “We’ve made it very clear from the beginning that we’re not trying to bankrupt the league and ask for tons of monetary increases. But we need basic rights if we’re going to continue playing. We want rights afforded other players in other countries that we don’t have. We’re very unified on the way we think.”

The union said last week that it will strike if an agreement is not reached by March 25, when the expansion Philadelphia Union plays the league opener at Seattle.

The league notified the union that medical, dental and vision insurance would expire March 31 in the event of a strike, and players would have to continue coverage under the federal COBRA program. Life insurance would end on the start date of a strike, and players could covert to individual coverage.

If and when the Galaxy start the season, Donovan said his role would not substantially change because of David Beckham’s Achilles’ tendon injury. The English midfielder was hurt Sunday while on loan to AC Milan and will be sidelined about six months, causing him to miss the World Cup. Beckham, starting the fourth season of a five-year contract with the Galaxy, was not due back until July.

“Where I play might tweak slightly,” Donovan said. “But I know what my role is and what I need to provide for the team, regardless of who’s on the field.”

i-50849ae8d97e07b574c774627ef0698b-landonreturn.jpgDonovan speaks at Wednesday’s news conference.

Donovan called Beckham’s loss “devastating” for the Galaxy.

“He’s sacrificed, I think, more than anybody in the world to have a chance at playing in a
World Cup,” Donovan said. “When you do that and something like this happens, it’s awful.”

Lew Wolff of the San Jose Earthquakes became the latest owner to speak out Thursday, saying his team’s “plans for a new venue and expansion of our youth program will be set back for a period that certainly does not benefit the current or future players.”

Wolff, who also owns baseball’s Oakland Athletics, said he was “at a loss as to how to
respond” to players’ statements that the rules of the expired five-year labor contract are
unfair and asked the union to continue bargaining without a strike.

“The Earthquakes and the majority of MLS teams did not generate a profit in 2009, nor do they expect to generate a profit in 2010,” Wolff said in a statement. “I am hopeful that the players and their representatives will carefully measure the importance of having labor peace and recognize the negatives to the sport that a work stoppage will cause.”

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Becks checks out

From the Finnish clinic where he was operated on for his torn achilles tendon.

i-ad98d4c48a4fc854e03d7d08c3d9b4c2-beckscrutches.jpgHere’s an actual picture of David Beckham’s actual legs and his actual crutches getting in an actual airplane to take an actual flight back to London. Apologies to Monty Python. (AP Photo)

Here’s the full story (and by the way, don’t you just love it’s AC Milan rather than the Galaxy commenting on Beckham’s rehab plans in this story; just which club does he supposedly belong to anyway?):

LONDON (AP) — David Beckham arrived in London with his wife Victoria on Wednesday after flying in from the Finnish clinic where he had surgery for a torn Achilles’ tendon.

With his left leg in a cast, Beckham flew in on a private jet. He injured his foot on Sunday
and will be sidelined for about six months, forcing him to miss the World Cup in South
Africa.

The Beckhams, who have yet to speak publicly since the injury, are expected to spend a few days at their home in England before returning to Los Angeles.

“I did say that perhaps it would not be wise to fly straight off to Los Angeles … that he
should stop somewhere first,” said Sakari Orava, the orthopedic surgeon who performed the operation.

Orava said Beckham was “well and in a good mood.”

“He has to take it easy for about a month — that’s how long it will be in a cast — and then week-by-week he can move the foot and use it more,” Orava told The Associated Press.

When the Beckhams left the clinic in Turku, Finland, on Thursday, police pushed back dozens of shouting fans as the couple got into a silver Volkswagen van. Escorted by two police cars, they were taken to the local airport.

The 34-year-old Beckham tore his left Achilles’ tendon when playing for AC Milan and underwent surgery in Turku on Monday.

Before Beckham’s departure, Orava and medical teams reviewed a rehabilitation program he had planned for the midfielder.

Beckham, who flew to the Mehilainen Clinic in Turku on Monday, was joined a day later by his wife, who also spent the night at the clinic.

Orava said they ordered pizzas and watched soccer on a large-screen TV on Tuesday evening but that he left the couple just as the Champions League match between Chelsea and Inter Milan started.

“They looked happy,” he said.

Orava, who has operated on several international sports stars, including runners Frank
Fredericks, Merlene Ottey and Haile Gebreselassie, said Beckham was an exemplary patient.

“He was a very easy and good patient. Even the nurses said they wished that all their patients were like him,” Orava said. “He was very satisfied and didn’t complain about anything and thanked everyone.”

Orava said Beckham’s tendon was totally torn, ruling out his hopes of playing in his fourth World Cup. The tournament starts June 11 in South Africa.

AC Milan said Beckham would begin rehabilitation right away.

“The plan includes a complete recovery in six months, at the end of which he can play again,” the club said.

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David Beckham: Greek God?

i-55d5f7eeda4fe077ee0b5ccad1a89d0c-becksgod.jpg

Apparently.

Britain’s poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy was inspired by David Beckham’s Achilles’ tendon injury to write this verse titled “Achilles.”

“Myth’s river — where his mother dipped him, fished him, a slippery golden boy flowed on, his name on its lips.

“Without him, it was prophesied, they would not take Troy.

“Women hid him, concealed him in girls’ sarongs; days of sweetmeats, spices, silver songs…

“But when Odysseus came, with an athlete’s build, a sword and a shield, he followed him to the battlefield, the crowd’s roar,

“And it was sport, not war, his charmed foot on the ball…

“But then his heel, his heel, his heel…”

As one wit wrote, can’t wait to read the poem about Toger Tiger Woods.

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Galaxy players: Beckham loss “massive.”

Galaxy players reacted Tuesday to Beckham’s injury; Coach Bruce Arena sounds like he’s taking it in stride, however:

CARSON (AP) — David Beckham’s prolonged absence because of an injury suffered in Europe will affect the Los Angeles Galaxy profoundly, Galaxy players said Tuesday.

“With this team, it’s massive,” said Galaxy defender Gregg Berhalter, who played for the
United States in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. “He’s a huge part of this team. It’s (a matter of) trying to figure out what to do next.”

Beckham tore his left Achilles’ tendon Sunday while playing for AC Milan during his second offseason loan to the Italian club from Major League Soccer’s Galaxy. He underwent surgery in Finland on Monday and will be sidelined for about six months.

The Galaxy’s season ends in October so Beckham will miss most of the MLS season.

“He’s an important part to AC Milan, he’s an important part to England and he’s a vital part to us,” Galaxy midfielder Chris Klein said. “On the field, the leadership, the quality he brings, you don’t replace that.”

Beckham was trying to earn a place on England’s World Cup roster. Had he done so, he would have been the first English player to appear in four World Cups.

“I know he’s very down about this,” said Klein.

Galaxy midfielder Bryan Jordan said Beckham provided a positive example for young players.

“I look at how he does things, how he keeps the ball, where he loses the ball, how he gets his crosses in,” Jordan said. “I’ve looked up to him even before playing with him.”

Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said he had no idea when Beckham would return.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a player with an Achilles’ tendon tear,” Arena said. “When they say ‘six months,’ it’s probably accurate. That might even be aggressive. You don’t know how the player reacts to the surgery, therapy, rehab, all that stuff.”

Nevertheless, Arena said Beckham’s absence will not alter the Galaxy’s basic approach to offense.

“We’re not going to change anything,” Arena said. “We were going to be playing without him up until July, anyway. We won’t need to be making any adjustments if he’s not back in July.”

Incidentally, Landon Donovan will meet the media Wednesday for the first time since returning to the Galaxy from Everton.

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Tuesday’s column: Bust it like Beckham

As Michael Jackson showed yet again today, dying is a great career move.

I doubt the same applies to David Beckham’s torn achilles tendon (at least in the U.S.).. (Mrs. Beckham has now arrived in Finland, BTW).

As much as the injury is a personal tragedy for Beckham, one writer Monday observed it was merely “inconvenient” for England given his limited role on the national team these days.

And for the Galaxy, the injury is virtually irrelevant.

Except, of course, for the fact the Galaxy won’t make money this year. Wonder how much is due to the ridiculous amount of money showered on a part timer (if that) like Beckham?

Agree? Disagree? Too cynical? Or realistic? Have at it in the comment section.

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Monday Kicks: The essential Beckham injury graphic & more

i-279d8059152a793a59692a24ab0cdd78-injuries.jpg

More on David Beckham’s injury in Tuesday’s column.

Also noted today:

*The U.S. plays Australia June 5 in South Africa, one week before its World Cup opener. ESPN2 airs the game at 5:30 a.m.

*Chivas USA officially presents new central defender Michael Umaa Tuesday at Costa Rica Restaurant in Anaheim.

*Galaxy striker Alan Gordon is still rehabbing a bone bruise to his left knee he suffered shortly before the club’s 10-day camp in Arizona, while Jovan Kirovski sprained the MCL in his left knee in training at the start of this month. Neither played in last week’s friendly in Fullerton. Clint Mathis remains out for at least another four weeks with a torn meniscus in his left knee.

*MLS labor negotiations from a legal perspective. Essential reading. Tip of the hat to du Nord for the link.

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Galaxy statement on Beckham’s injury

Galaxy GM and Coach Bruce Arena released this statement Monday morning regarding the career-threatening Achilles tendon injury David Beckham suffered Sunday in AC Milan’s 1-0 win over Chievo Verona:

“Injuries are an unfortunate part of our game and they are even more disappointing when they happen to a player who was so close to realizing his dream of representing his nation at this summer’s World Cup. We will give David our complete support to make sure that he is able to get himself back to full health before he returns to the field. David remains an important player for the Galaxy and we look forward to welcoming him back to the club and assisting him in his recovery.”

Beckham went under the knife today in Finland.

And here’s confirmation Beckham will miss the World Cup.

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Weekend Rewind: Beckham’s Career Over? (& More)

i-482fb522da9dc9550f3ac67ad236952d-becksinjury.jpgDavid Beckham is stretchered off in tears Sunday, his World Cup dream over (AP Photo).

Full story here.

Updated Monday

More here.

Also:

* Galaxy 0 Chivas USA 0

Galaxy lineup: Josh Saunders; Todd Dunivant, Leonardo, Yohance Marshall, A.J. DeLaGarza, Chris Birchall, Eddie Lewis, Michael Stephens, Chris Klein, Mike Magee, Bryan Jordan

Chivas USA lineup – Dan Kennedy, Mariano Trujillo (Gerson Mayn 76), Michael Umaa, Jonathan Bornstein, Ante Jazic (Jess Padilla 55), Michael Lahoud, Blair Gavin, Marcelo Saragosa, Sacha Kljestan, Maykel Galindo (Justin Braun 54), Osael Romero (Emilio Viades 46)

*Landon Donovan’s “life experience.”

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