Late Tuesday Kicks: Ball juggling, pupasas & more

The Inter Milan win over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League wasn't the only thing going on in the world of soccer today (although it felt like it):

*El Segundo-based DirecTV announced today it will soon air 30 more HD channels including GolTV. But not Fox Soccer Channel HD. My frustration (and others) summed up here. EPL on ESPN HD is making FSC virtually unwatchable by comparison.

*A report last week that had former Galaxy midfielder Simon Elliott training with the club speculated that "could lead to a roster spot" for the World Cup-bound New Zealander. No sources were cited though and apparently for good reason; club officials told me Saturday that Elliott was merely training with the team after being released from the San Jose Earthquakes before leaving in a few weeks for the Kiwi World Cup camp. Besides, do the Galaxy need another aging midfielder? Don't answer that.

*Galaxy midfielder Sean Franklin's injury Saturday that Coach Bruce Arena had fretted could be a fracture or other "long-term" issue? A sprained right ankle. He's listed as questionable on Tuesday's injury list. As is Gregg Berhalter (left knee soreness), Dema Kovalenko (right hamstring strain), Eddie Lewis (left foot contusion) and Clint Mathis (left knee surgery).

*Notable: With their win Saturday, the Galaxy became the first team in MLS history to win 200 games. The Galaxy look for their fifth consecutive win Saturday against the Wizards in Kansas City, a feat they last accomplished in late 2007.

*Chivas USA beat the PDL Ventura County Fusion 2-0 today at Home Depot Center on goals from Osael Romero and youth team product Carlos Martinez. The starting XI: Dan Kennedy, Cesar Zamora, Yamith Cuesta, Carlos Borja, Gerson Mayén, Artur Aghasyan, Michael Lahoud, Ben Zemanski, Jorge Flores, Romero and Justin Braun.

It's "Salvadoran Night" Saturday at Home Depot Center as Chivas USA and Osael Romero take on the San Jose Earthquakes and Ramón Sanchez and Arturo Alvarez. One word: pupusas.

*The semipro Pali Blues, back to back W-League champions, will make another stab at the world record for the most people juggling soccer balls at the same time at halftime of a May 22 preseason game against Santa Clarita. Two soccer nonprofit groups benefit. Bring a ball and sign up.

*AYSO sources tell me clashes with board president Mike Wade and the need for a scapegoat for the drop in registration the group experienced during the recession led to the departure of former U.S. international Rick Davis as executive director of the Hawthorne-based nonprofit. He officially steps down next month.

*Finally, here's the useless fact of the week from MLS (but one that could give Sounders fans a complex): "At 1,815 feet, Toronto's CN Tower is three times as tall as Seattle's Space Needle (605 feet)."